Black March – Should we try it?

I found this on reddit, the idea is to make a stand against the media industries.

Here’s the written version:

Black March

Thursday, March 1st 2012 to Saturday 31st March 2012

With the continuing campaigns for Internet-censoring litigation such as SOPA and PIPA, and the closure of sites such as Megaupload under allegations of “piracy” and “conspiracy” the time has come to take a stand against music, film, and media companies’ lobbyists.

The only way is to hit them where it truly hurts; their profit margins.

March 2012 is the end of the 1st quarter in economic reports worldwide.

Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy. Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine.

Wait 4 weeks to buy them in April: see the film later, etc. Holding out for 4 weeks, maximum, will leave a gaping hole in media and entertainment companies’ profits for the 1st quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observer by governments worldwide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes.

This action can give a statement of intent:

We will not tolerate the Media Industries’ lobbying for legislation which will censor the internet.

Here’s the picture version if you want to spread it around.

There’s also a facebook page if you want to join in the event.

If this works it would be a big blow to the Media Industry. However, I see certain problems with this plan.

First of all, the effects could be just temporary and could be even ignored by the start of the next month (April). As people starts buying again it could be considered a huge success and the start the second quarter with a bang.

It could also backfire and end up in the loss of  jobs for people who work in stores, movie theaters, and similar. Let’s say certain stores don’t make enough profit to sustain all their expenses, in that case they will let go of extra employees.

Of course I could be completely wrong and everything would work out just fine and they will learn their lesson and think twice before going against the very same people they get their profits from.

I for one have been doing this for a couple of years now, I haven’t been able to get a hold of a stable job, so whatever money I get my hands on is for paying debts and other important personal expenses, so I don’t think I’ll be making difference xD