Media Piracy: Good Economics?

What I find funny is that the RIAA and MPAA aren't just sticking to one thing, the not only want P2P of music/movies to end, but CD Ripping, analog copying, backups, and DRM circumvention. If they'd just stick to making good music/movies and being harder on bootleggers and not file sharing, they would't be suing a woman for downloading music that's never had a PC, or a Grandma for using Kazaa when Macs can't even run that program.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'd buy more of the Anime/VG soundtracks I download, but they charge $30+ for most of them on Amazon. On top of that the Cowboy Bebop CD-Box I bought was a bootleg (I only found that out AFTER I bought the damn thing, some of the tracks have glitches...). Of course some ultra-obscure stuff I'd never buy, it's only on ebay and overpriced...

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Dark Nation

I admit I don't buy as many CDs/DVDs from what I download, but if I do like something enough, I'll seek it out and buy it.

The music quality has really delined in the last 5 years... but I know the most important thing that needs to be done: Eliminate the RIAA. The MPAA, at least, is trying to get Movies distributed in an online format of thier own initiative, not of consumer pressure. Both mediums have a lack of talent as of late, but the RIAA is the first target I see needing an attack on.

Basically, The RIAA needs to be replaced with a smart and tech-savy organization that actually understands the consumer's point of view and isn't greedy to the point that Mr. Scrooge is a philanthropist in comparison. Of course this is not possible... the RIAA should have been suied a long-time ago for thier business practices, but they are just too large to be attacked by plain consumers. They need to piss off a congressmen first, or at least a very influential private citizen.

The music/movie studios need the guts to sue us themselves. Anyone who sues on the behalf of someone else is asking for their legitimacy to be questioned.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Lukage

I'm an anime whore, so my fansubs are legit. In fact, had it not been for these sorts of people who translate basically for donations, many mainstream shows would not get the converage and licensing they do.

Naruto wasn't all that hot in America with the manga so much until the subs were everywhere.

In regards to "the real stuff," I have no problem downloading anything that is shown on television. TV is saying "Turn on your VCR and enjoy the freeness." That said, I'm gonna download a new movie coming out tomorrow.

I'm not sure, but I do believe there is a precedent set by a US court that says it's okay to download TV shows for Time/Placeshifting reasons. Like having a VCR, but no need for a tape!

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Watts

If you share something that you did not buy with your own money you are a communist.

If somebody you know ever comes up to you talking about sharing, sacrafice, or anything dealing with the common good report them to someone of authority as soon as possible.

Yes simply implying you will share music will get you convicted. Much like dissing the President will get you a one way trip to Guantanamo bay.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Watts

I never said that. I just said it was being a communist.

And dissing the president in a public forum still has consequences none the less. We're a nation at war... or something.

So you caught my sarcasm. I don't think people who share files are communist though, I think downloading is a great way to try before you buy and to get a hold of things that are impossible to get (like Photoshop, most people can't afford to pay over $200 for an art program). Just think how much overpriced crap most of us buy to satiate the capitalist system.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Watts

Neither do I, just trying to get a rise outta someone.



Individual piracy doesn't really hurt the company in such cases since you're not likely to buy the software anyway.



You sound all negative when you say that, like it's a bad thing. Overpriced crap most people will buy just means a enlarged profit margin for the company, and more debt for the consumer. Doesn't seem like such a bad system from where I'm sittin'! What could go wrong?

There's nothing wrong with capitalism per se. But with the United States government giving massive tax breaks and allowing big organizations like the RIAA to flourish undisturbed (and allow themselves to be lobbied by the RIAA and MPAA while ignoring the people they are supposed to represent), it's not good capitalism. anymore. But I digress. I wish copyright law had it's original usage: to prevent plagarism and sale of other's work (while still allowing unofficial distribution).

How ya doing, buddy?