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Downloading Films, Music, and Television Illegally: Thoughts, Arguments and Discussion
We all do it or we have once done it. Is it a crime or do we deserve it? Do our opinions change because of our background or profession? What do you folks think?
I am an aspiring filmmaker and writer yet there are times when I have downloaded films. Does it matter which films? Is it better that I download Due Date and not 2001: A Space Odyssey? Is it ok for certain films to be downloaded? What of music? I download without any second thought and TV?
There's a lot of questions there so I look forward to our discussions!
I am an aspiring filmmaker and writer yet there are times when I have downloaded films. Does it matter which films? Is it better that I download Due Date and not 2001: A Space Odyssey? Is it ok for certain films to be downloaded? What of music? I download without any second thought and TV?
There's a lot of questions there so I look forward to our discussions!
This discussion has been closed.
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Comments
Is it right? No not really when you consider the artists, and all the other people that rely on sales to make a living. It is a lot of work to make music, make films etc and we should pay for it - it is the right thing to do.
It is a crime - one I have committed. The copy of Deathly Hallows was on my laptop afterall. I downloaded it because I was impatient for it to come out. I wanted to watch it, just like half my iTunes music. In saying that if I really do like something I do go out and buy it.
That isn't a perfect way to do things - I'm by all rights a criminal but I'll keep doing because I'm a big fan of 'instant' get it now'. And these days that is very possible. I don't think its really right to download any type of movie ...but I'll still do it because it really doesn't trouble me that much. It's wrong but it isn't something that will weigh on my mind.
Also, if I want to see a shit film, does it deserve my theatre or rental money?
However I don't have much patience for big businesses that litigate rather than adapt their business models. No business model is static. The music industry has to adapt to changing consumer trends like any other business has to continually adapt to changing market conditions.
Copying music is nothing new. Back in the days of LP's, teenagers would record LP's to blank casettes to play them in their cars or loan to friends.
Something that isn't readily known. In Canada at least, there is a recording industry levy on blank recording media,( recordable cd's and dvd's at least) so they are already getting a cut on the sale of the blank discs. Now mind you digital downloads are rendering discs obsolete so that revenue will continue to shrink.
But the music industry is big business and it also has a history of ripping off artists so I shed no tears.
I have every confidence that the industry will always find a way to make a buck. As for the artists, as always, they need competent trustworthy management that will make sure they get their slice of the pie.
And consumers as always will look for the best value and good business people will find a way to get them to be happy to pay for it, without running to the courts.
==Realistically the recording industry and film industry can be quite full of it. Technically, it is illegal to download product without paying for it but realistically the law is unenforceable, unlike say stealing a disc from a store. That is shoplifting and can easily land you in jail.
But digital downloads is a whole different animal. Realistically the industry has to factor in the loss and adjust their marketing to minimize it or offset it. That's business. In business there is no profit that one is entitled to. One gets the profit one earns.
Grocery stores have to dump product that doesn't sell before the expiry date etc They do what they can to minimize the dumping. They discount. They try to order just the right amount etc. Mimimizing loss is all part of the equation. The recording industry faces the same challenges. Personally from a business perspective, you have to adjust your model to factor in the loss. Sure try and lay the guilts trips on consumers but thats really just a strategy and I don't think it works very well anyway. Finding a way to give consumers value is what will get them off their wallets.
I-tunes figured it out despite doom and gloom warnings of illegal file sharing destroying the consumer market.
Business requires business smarts. The model has to keep being adjusted. Unfortunately mega business don't like to compete or change. They petition courts and governments to pass or enforce laws that maintain their status quo. This is fair practise I guess, (but IMO dubious strategy) but it doesn't mean as consumers we have to roll over for them.
But you know if HBO didn't require that I upgrade my cable package into the stratosphere, then I would just PVR the show but they won't so we do what we do. When the discs turn up a respectable price, I will probably buy the season. God knows I've bought plenty of others, but for now I'm not giving the pirates at the cable company anymore cash. [-(
I've never done it with films, and don't really intend to - because more often than not, if i don't want to see a movie, i just won't see it, period.. but i can't blame people who do do it - because of the crap Hollywood has shoveled out over the past couple years.... but in my opinion, nothing beats seeing a film on the big screen in a theater full of people - it's the whole atmosphere, especially when it's a fun film, or a horror movie - to be in crowed theater with 200 - 300 people either screaming, or cheering is worth the price of admission for me - sitting at home watching the same thing by myself doesn't have the same impact - and it never will..
Tv shows are a big one for me though - see I follow a couple of shows which aren't shown in Australia reguarely, or at great times for me to watch. So I watch online/download episodes to keep up to date. What is interesting with these shows that I do watch like this I always do go out and buy the Season later.
Like no joke? Like actually?
I am also a Supernatural fan - who needs to watch Season 6.
Sorry this is offtopic
One thing to look out for, however, is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) that is being considered by numerous western countries, including the U.S., U.K. & Canada. The Canadian government actually refused to release information to the public about this bill. If this passes, we're all screwed.
From another perspective, the ability to download films and music has vastly expanded my tastes and knowledge. I regularly support artists I like by voting for them in various charts and hit parades. And of course the ability to download isn't preventing me from going to the cinema.
I paid for 20 Bond films and downloaded 2 (CR & QOS), but I download most any other movies illegally.
I download music when I consider it interesting. Solely with the purpose of listening to it, and if I don't like it I erase it and don't buy it. Do I like the music I generally buy it.
The movies I tend to download are generally over 50 to 60 years old and are hard or impossible to buy, often because they are not available or hard to come by.
TV can be watched legally on the internet so I do so.
I don't mind if people illegaly download, as long as they don't tell me it is morally just due to some simpleton reasoning. The time I bought some trees for my garden and some moron nicked them, because it was cheaper than buying some did make me angry as well. Stealing is just stealing.
If I clone you and steal the clone, have I stolen you?
Look, I've stolen. I've pirated. But I don't lie to others or myself about the fact that it is what it is. I have, essentially, taken money that someone else deserved and kept it for myself. Let's be honest.
Funny then how the police aren't cracking down on album-listening parties. :-))
I don't buy it, sorry. I'm only "stealing" a CD if I swipe it from Wal-Mart.