Personally, as a person whose created my own film before, I would not enjoy a third party to profit from my creation. I didn't feel as strongly about it before. But, during and after the movie making process(one where I put a lot of heart and will to making) my views started getting even stronger to the point where I do not support it at all. I actually got into a heated argument the other day so I want to hear your thoughts and your stance on this issue. This goes hand in hand with music piracy as well.

 

Not to be a hyprocrite but I do semi-support torrents just because I feel(in some cases) they bring new viewers to shows. It's how I caught up with Lost and Prison Break (pre-iTunes-Video iPod era). I do plan on buying the DVDs anyways.

when a film director (or script writer, or anyone) gets $5mil or whatever for doing their sh*t, i doubt they give a f*** about a small amount of people who they wont be getting royalties from

Really, "piracy" is just capitalism evolving. Movie makers and music artists now need to make movies and music respectively that is good enough that people will want to buy it after watching or listening to it for free. This isn't something really that new, as you get to see previews and listen to singles on the radio all the time. The difference is that instead of selling a movie or a CD on 3 minutes, now those who make them have to construct more complete works.

 

This actually helps a lot more than it hurts, if those making the movies and coming out with the songs actually considered it this way instead of just whining about a few bucks lost.

I've watched some bootlegs. Had some illegally downloaded movies in my collection before. But, to be honest, any movie worth a damn I buy no matter what. Then I get some special features, the trailer, and a better overally product (picture quality and sound).

 

I don't do any piracy these days just because it's kind of lost it's novelty. However, in the case of bit torrent, there's nothing wrong with that, because it's not like you "purchase" the show anyways. But, the same goes for it. If I REALLY like a show, I'm going to do whatever it takes to see it/own it. I'm not home during the times that the Office is on, so I usually just watch it on there. But, I'm looking forward to the DVDs.

 

Plus, for a few years, there was a time when certain DVDs (Scarface was the main one) just didn't exist in America, so you had to go out and illegally obtain them. I own a made in Taiwain (I hope that's spelled right) Scarface DVD and I own the new special edition re-release.

Piracy is theft. It is not "capitalism evolving". If anything is evoving, it's the internet and connection speeds, which is making the theft easier for more people. Intellectual property has been under protection for a long time now and for good reason. As long as it remains under legal protection than taking it without paying for it and without permission is theft.

 

Of course, I am a bit hypocritical here because I download music like a madman. I always buy my favorite albums, but I can't afford to buy everything I download. Plus, there's plenty of stuff that I download that I don't like. I think we've all had the experience where we buy an album based on the single, the rest of the album sucks, and we feel like we've been bamboozled. I basically had quit on music until Napster came along. However, I now own hundreds of CDs whereas before Napster I probably owned five. I buy the CDs because I believe in supporting the artist, but I still don't buy nearly as much as I should. If I were fully on the up and up, I would delete every song that I don't purchase, but I don't do that.

 

Movie piracy is wrong just like music piracy. I don't really download movies (maybe two in my life) because there's no reason to. They all end up on cable eventually, except for maybe some smaller films, which, really, I can afford to shell out the $4 it will cost to rent it, if I really want to.

What about the in case of tv shows? You don't buy them. You just watch them when they tell you to.

when a film director (or script writer, or anyone) gets $5mil or whatever for doing their sh*t, i doubt they give a f*** about a small amount of people who they wont be getting royalties from

 

 

 

 

Im going to have to completely disagree with you. The biggest reason is not every director, script writer or songwriter (etc etc) makes FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.

 

People have to start realizing that not every director is named Steven Speilberg and not every band is named U2.

 

Movie/Music piracy is bulls**t and anyone who says it isnt is just rationalizing.

 

Its no different than walking into Walgreens, putting package of Advil in your pocket and walking out without attempting to pay for it.

 

:thumbup

I'll buy a movie only when it is completely awesome. Otherwise, I have no problem getting it off NetFlix and burning it. I still pay $7 to see them it theatres so I have no guilt not spending $20 for DVD's.

Yeah, ongoing TV shows are kind of a separate case. It's still piracy, I guess, if you don't have permission, and you don't buy it. But the networks are starting to understand that people getting into their shows in any way is good for them. A lot of them are putting their shows online for free. I've downloaded the hell out of TV shows, and I don't feel bad about it at all.

 

I remember the first series I ever downloaded was the first season of The Wire. I tried to get into the first episode of Season 2, and I was just like, what in the holy hell is going on here. So, I downloaded the first season to get up to speed, and now it's like my favorite show ever. The DVD wasn't even out at the time, so what choice did I have? And who lost out by me downloading the show? No one, far as I can tell.

 

My crappy Atlantic Broadband DVR "forgets" to record shows on occasion, so I'll have to download an episode I missed. Earlier this year, I'd get if for free on some torrent site, but now you can either watch most shows for free on the network's internet site, or you can download them for a pittance, like $0.99.

 

Ongoing TV shows are kind of a separate case, though, from TV shows that have finished their run. The networks definitely want you to pay to watch those.

I personally download alot of ISO's and IMG files and burn them to DVDs. But all of these are movies I would never buy on my own (Underworld 2, London, Aeon Flux, Find Me Guilty), so they are losing nothing because of me downloading the full DVD of something I wouldn't even rent.

 

I don't download just the movie file because:

 

A) It's not appealling for me to sit at the computer for 2 hours to watch a movie.

B) Quality isn't fantastic, and I'm a stickler on that.

C) I don't download cam files or things like that.

 

I never feel for the movie industry because I probably support it more/as much as anyone I know. I see a ton of movies in theatres. I also buy a ton of DVDs (well over 100 now).

 

Music I feel the same way. I download alot of illegal stuff, but if I didn't download or the technology didn't exist, I wouldn't be buying that music.

 

I download because I can, not because I don't want to pay the money and I wouldn't pay money for 80-90% of what I download.

 

Illegal downloading has probably helped alot of artists. Bands I would usually never go out and buy I actually may if I really like stuff of theirs I have downloaded or if I wanted some new or older stuff of theirs.

 

The music and movie industry has lost $0.00 because of my downloading.

The amount of money within Hollywood and places for the music and movie industy is truly sickening.

 

I have no problem seeing every movie downloaded for free and all music coming out that way. still will go buy certain movies and all and animes as well.

 

As for CD's how about the actually produce full cds that dont have 1-2 songs that are good and the rest crap normally.

I personally download alot of ISO's and IMG files and burn them to DVDs. But all of these are movies I would never buy on my own (Underworld 2, London, Aeon Flux, Find Me Guilty), so they are losing nothing because of me downloading the full DVD of something I wouldn't even rent.

 

I don't download just the movie file because:

 

A) It's not appealling for me to sit at the computer for 2 hours to watch a movie.

B) Quality isn't fantastic, and I'm a stickler on that.

C) I don't download cam files or things like that.

 

I never feel for the movie industry because I probably support it more/as much as anyone I know. I see a ton of movies in theatres. I also buy a ton of DVDs (well over 100 now).

 

Music I feel the same way. I download alot of illegal stuff, but if I didn't download or the technology didn't exist, I wouldn't be buying that music.

 

I download because I can, not because I don't want to pay the money and I wouldn't pay money for 80-90% of what I download.

 

Illegal downloading has probably helped alot of artists. Bands I would usually never go out and buy I actually may if I really like stuff of theirs I have downloaded or if I wanted some new or older stuff of theirs.

 

The music and movie industry has lost $0.00 because of my downloading.

 

 

 

 

Do you purchase any music whether it be via digital download or actual CDs?

I think I got something to add...

 

What about video games?

 

I know you can download nintendo, sega, genesis, SNES, etc, etc. to your hearts content as long as you own the cartridges. But what about when the system is so obsolete you can't find those cartridges? Or, better yet, it's an arcade game that you can't just go out and find?

 

I have no qualms about downloading and enjoying those games. And, since the Wii is the first system to actually have a lot of back-up support as far as downloading and buying games, I don't consider it stealing. Because there's few to little (in the case of the arcade games: almost none) resources to get these games otherwise.

 

Quick aside: you guys work in the film industry or DVD production or something? I've never heard people that are so adamant on this subject; I'll be honest, for the most part, I could care less. But, I have some minor questions/quibbles.

Even if you never would have bought what you downloaded anyway...it's still stealing. You don't have the right to enjoy that material if you're not willing to pay for it. Maybe they're not losing any money on account of you enjoying it for free, but it's still not yours to enjoy. I say this in full recognition of my hypocrisy, but I think we should all recognize our actions for what they are. We're stealing. If the RIAA or the MPAA ever comes knocking on our door, we're all guilty no matter how we rationalize our actions.

Even if you never would have bought what you downloaded anyway...it's still stealing. You don't have the right to enjoy that material if you're not willing to pay for it. Maybe they're not losing any money on account of you enjoying it for free, but it's still not yours to enjoy. I say this in full recognition of my hypocrisy, but I think we should all recognize our actions for what they are. We're stealing. If the RIAA or the MPAA ever comes knocking on our door, we're all guilty no matter how we rationalize our actions.

 

 

Yeah, but in the case of video games some of those titles you can't go out and get. How would one go about paying for something that is now defunct?

 

But, yeah, those companies can go after people. Good luck with that. I see those people who do download a lot of material illegally as pioneers and modern day Robin Hoods. I mean, we've all been screwed over by buying a CD that plain sucked (the last two or three Metallica albums come to mind, boy I wish I'd downloaded those illegally).

 

If you could list some things you SHOULD have downloaded illegally, but didn't, what would that list consist of? Here's some of mine:

 

1. Metallica: Load

2. Metallica: St. Anger (I only like two songs on the whole freaking album)

3. Cast Away (good movie, but to spend 20 dollars and only watch it once kind of sucks)

4. Amelie (see: above)

5. Go

What about computer programs?

 

You practically need to buy a program to do anything on the computer, and it can be expensive or it just adds up.

Yeah, but in the case of video games some of those titles you can't go out and get. How would one go about paying for something that is now defunct?

 

But, yeah, those companies can go after people. Good luck with that. I see those people who do download a lot of material illegally as pioneers and modern day Robin Hoods. I mean, we've all been screwed over by buying a CD that plain sucked (the last two or three Metallica albums come to mind, boy I wish I'd downloaded those illegally).

 

If you could list some things you SHOULD have downloaded illegally, but didn't, what would that list consist of? Here's some of mine:

 

1. Metallica: Load

2. Metallica: St. Anger (I only like two songs on the whole freaking album)

3. Cast Away (good movie, but to spend 20 dollars and only watch it once kind of sucks)

4. Amelie (see: above)

5. Go

 

 

Well, no one's going to care if you download NES emulators or whatever, so I think you're safe on that one.

 

Your modern day Robin Hoods are stealing from the rich and the not-very-rich (most artists are more struggling than rich) and giving to themselves. Not exactly the Robin Hood ethic of old.

Of course, I am a bit hypocritical here because I download music like a madman. I always buy my favorite albums, but I can't afford to buy everything I download. Plus, there's plenty of stuff that I download that I don't like. I think we've all had the experience where we buy an album based on the single, the rest of the album sucks, and we feel like we've been bamboozled. I basically had quit on music until Napster came along. However, I now own hundreds of CDs whereas before Napster I probably owned five. I buy the CDs because I believe in supporting the artist, but I still don't buy nearly as much as I should. If I were fully on the up and up, I would delete every song that I don't purchase, but I don't do that.

How's that different from what I said?

 

I'd venture to say that if the statistics existed, a significant portion of those who download music eventually buy music that they've downloaded. That helps the music industry a lot more than it wants to admit.

Of course, I am a bit hypocritical here because I download music like a madman. I always buy my favorite albums, but I can't afford to buy everything I download. Plus, there's plenty of stuff that I download that I don't like. I think we've all had the experience where we buy an album based on the single, the rest of the album sucks, and we feel like we've been bamboozled. I basically had quit on music until Napster came along. However, I now own hundreds of CDs whereas before Napster I probably owned five. I buy the CDs because I believe in supporting the artist, but I still don't buy nearly as much as I should. If I were fully on the up and up, I would delete every song that I don't purchase, but I don't do that.

How's that different from what I said?

 

I'd venture to say that if the statistics existed, a significant portion of those who download music eventually buy music that they've downloaded. That helps the music industry a lot more than it wants to admit.

 

That part is exactly what you said. I agree with you on that point. I don't agree when you say it's capitalism evolving. Theft has no part in capitalism.

 

It really isn't for us to decide whether or not downloading is helping the music industry. It's the industry's call. They own the music.

It's theft in technicality only. If you wanted to you could go on amazon.com and listen to a piece of every song from a CD. How is that ok but listening to the entire song of choice theft?

computer programs and games are easy to get online as well. I have no proglem with that. Of course windows is working on ways to cut it down always like in vista it looks like will have a way to keep piracy at a minium.

 

for games, heck my friend has an xbox modded out with a hard drive and hundreds of games on it, I find it amusing more then anything but no problem with people doing stuff like that if they wish to.

 

they make enough profit off of us all and someone is buying the games

It's theft in technicality only. If you wanted to you could go on amazon.com and listen to a piece of every song from a CD. How is that ok but listening to the entire song of choice theft?

 

 

Because the music companies are okay with it. If you're okay with listening to just pieces of songs, then why download? Have fun on Amazon.

 

It is not a technicality. It is theft, plain and simple. You are taking something that does not belong to you without permission. I wish you would stop trying to rationalize it. If you feel no guilt for it, if you are okay with it, that's fine. That's a different arguement altogether...everyone lives by their own code of ethics, and I'm not going to tell you what standards you should live by. But to argue that it is not theft would be like arguing that an orange is not an orange. It is the very definition of theft.

I wish they would lower the prices of CD's and DVD's. It would most likely discourage piracy somewhat.

Interesting post. I don't think there's any question that the studios are treating us like a bunch of a**holes, but ultimately, it's their job to squeeze out every last buck, and it's their right, as well. I think the question of legality is more or less settled. I don't think anyone can really question whether piracy is theft. But as for who's in the right and who's in the wrong? That's an interesting discussion that the Penguin Man has made all the more interesting. There are no easy answers.

 

I definitely see fewer movies than I used to. I haven't been interested in any summer movies for about a month now...except maybe Cars. Maybe I'll get around to seeing that. But, yeah, there's no question that the movie theater experience is getting worse and worse. I find all those anti-piracy dots rather distracting, and it takes a really engrossing movie to make me forget about them. I think the studios are making short-term decisions that will only harm them in the long run, but then, what else is new in this world?

 

My practical suggestion to people would be to stop buying so many DVDs, and just get a Netflix account or something. How many times do you really plan on watching the same movie? I own like 5 DVDs, and I'm still not sure I've watched any of them enough to make the purchase pay off, as opposed to just renting it each time I want to watch it.

Lending someone something you own isn't illegal.