Digital Renaissance

– All cinemas at street level have vanished in Buenos Aires. Now are all part of larger buildings and shopping centers, says Federico Abad, heading into the Village Cinemas, an underground cinema complex in the affluent Recoleta neighborhood where he grew up and went to the movies, first with the parents, later with girlfriends.

One of the most beautiful theaters from 1919 lying along the central Santa Fe Avenue, the opera-like Grand Splendid, has been transformed into one of the world's most spectacular bookstores.

– Culture continues to exist, but in new forms. It's very simple. I love going to the movies. But sometimes you do not want it. You may be sitting on a plane, or want to see a movie at home at four o'clock at night when no theaters are open, says Abad. He believes the film industry itself has the best antidote against Popcorn Time.

On the pirate judgment that fell in the Oslo District Court Wednesday, he says:

– I think the blocking of sites is damaging to Hollywood. It only leads to "the Streisand Effect". It is the designation for the unique dynamics that frequently occur on the web, when censorship attempts lead to increased distribution and interest.

– The culture is immeasurable. To combat piracy, they must have global premieres in all platforms. A good Netflix without country restrictions. But Hollywood only makes problems.

Why should not I be able to watch a film shown in the cinema in the US? I'm not sure why, said Abad. He says that many have approached with a request to pay for its use.

– Culture has no borders. Netflix 'series are popular worldwide because they are released everywhere at once in high quality with subtitles. But Hollywood only makes trouble with all its limitations. Why should I not be able to watch a film shown in theatres in the US? I'm not sure why, says Abad.

–We have received many inquiries from people who say they would happily pay if possible.

People will pay for good things.

Abad thinks Spotify suffers from the same problems.

–I look up a song in Spotify and it is disabled in Argentina. As if you are not part of the rest of the world. I pay for Netflix. I pay for Spotify. So give me the entire catalogue. I pay for this!

In the gray zone

Today Federico Abad works for Xapo - a kind of bank vault for the digital currency Bitcoin. Top Investors in Silicon Valley have invested more than $ 40 million in the service Wall Street Journal has dubbed "The Fort Knox of Bitcoin".

Abad is a fan of the digital currency, but thinks it is still a bit too complicated for most people to use. He wants to revolutionize the use of bitcoin in the same way as he simplified downloading pirated entertainment.

– Sometimes innovation that really changes things is of such a nature, that it challenges the law. Bitcoin is one such innovation. It is not illegal, but in a gray area, he says.

– I will make Bitcoin so friendly, that my mother can use it when she goes shopping.

Abad says that the only major interview he has given earlier before he spoke with DN, was an Argentine woman's magazine that his mother also reads.

– My mother is very proud. She has told all her friends about it. And my dad asked why I left Popcorn Time. He said I could have become a millionaire. I answered no, Dad. I could have been in prison. I'd rather be with you.(Vilkår)Copyright Dagens Næringsliv AS og/eller våre leverandører. Vi vil gjerne at du deler våre saker ved bruk av lenke, som leder direkte til våre sider. Kopiering eller annen form for bruk av hele eller deler av innholdet, kan kun skje etter skriftlig tillatelse eller som tillatt ved lov. For ytterligere vilkår se her.