What are your thoughts about it? I just got done reading and article on CNET and some of their comments.

I used to feel for those who had their work stolen, and the financial loss. However, what about the other side of it? What if the downloader never intended on purchasing that CD, that movie, that software, etc in the first place? How many downloaders fall into that category, then end up purchasing said media because of it's quality?

It costs less than .25 to make a CD, that includes everything start to finish. How much does it cost us to purchase it? Something like $15 right?

The cost for a DVD is I'm the same range and costs in the same ballpark to make.

A Blu-Ray movie is twice the cost of a DVD and costs in the $20 range.

Going to a movie is atleast $8 bucks per ticket. A soda is $6, popcorn is $5.50 ... etc ...

As a software developer myself this may sound stupid, but even software is over priced.


I used to think 'man, if punks wouldnt pirate, things would be cheaper'. Then I look back, and realize it's always been priced outrageously.


I'd go to the movies, buy more CD's/DVD's/Blu-Ray's, and software if it was priced more reasonably for the average person.

What's your thoughts on this? There's so many angles that I can't even comprehend.

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It was never about the physical good, but about the licence to view or personally use the intellectual property contained on the DVD. This is why to purchase a blank CD they're something like $10 for a 50 pack.

The issue I have against games/CDs/DVDs/whatever electronic medium is that the bucks mostly go to the publishers, which I think is wrong. Especially with viral marketing, half of the anticipation is caused outside of the marketing and advertising department. I don't see why 80% or whatever proportion of what I'm paying should go to those people. If it wasn't for the fact that publishers fund developers to produce games, I'd rather pay a developer outright, usually for a much cheaper price, and obtain a digital copy that way.

Though currently unless I really want a product, I just wait till it's on sale, rather than pirate it.

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I can understand why someone would want to 'pirate' the products.. if they wanted it for their personal use. The moment they reproduce and sell it is the moment I am staunchly against it.

But, I try to 'play the game' as legal as I can. Last thing I need on my head is having my virtual data being deleted or whatever because I pirated some movies and songs.

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Yes, that's worse than those pricks who take open source code, change some routines and compile it as their own for profit.

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I especially like the eye patch they wear. And the parrot on the shoulder is a nice touch.

(sorry.....couldn't resist!!!)LOLOL!!!

Are they overpriced? yes. But the ones that make money often have to make up for the ones that bomb. (Daredevil, Gigly, or whatever the heck it was named)
Same with music. What i don't like is having to pay $15 for a CD, when you only like one song on it.
So, yes, it's wrong to "steal" the works of others. But i do see why some do it. And selling it when you stole it? That's wrong ALL the time.

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one of the 'funniest' things I have read on piracy was when the movie companies decided to compete with all the piracy in china decided to sell legit dvds (ie just like we get in the states) to the chinese for 1$. <<< to compete with all the pirates selling their goods.

interesting policy huh ... mean while they prosecute 35 year old housewives for 35k for downloading some music or movie etc ... (in the states)

This is a topic with the potential for excellent discussion.

For now, I'll reply by saying it would seem not too many people are familiar with the concept of creative commons (cc).

Long-live Copy-Left!

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I think music is an art form and has been manipulated by producers working on a Capitalist system to milk as much money out of it as possible. It is vastly overpriced. "Piracy" is merely putting it back where it should be - an art form that can be appreciated.

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While I don't disagree with your comments, I will say if people are drones enough to buy whatever is produced and manufactored then the producers definitely earn their keep. Fact of reality is, artistic talented music isn't as marketable as the crap that's being produced now days.

Here's the kicker.. Just because it's crap, doesn't make it bad to sell. People buy it out of free will. Let 'em.

Me personally? I buy what I want. Not the whole CD. The joys of modern technology.

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The first part of this I agree with. The first band that comes to mind is AFI. Some of their older stuff was really awesome. Then they went 'mainstream' and it became all kind of kiddie pop or something.


The last part some would say you're failing to support your artist!!! You're terrible!!

Although, I agree. Why spend 15 bucks on a CD that has only one song you like and you can purchase that one song for a buck or two?

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oh and musicians make the bulk of their money via concerts not CD sales ...

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Some intellectual property protection makes sense, but it ought to be much more limited.

There are three problems with current copyright law: first, it extends the monopoly far too long (currently the life of the creator plus 70 years in the USA, if I recall correctly, though given the idiots in Congress, at the RIAA, etc, I wouldn't be surprised if that length continues to get longer and longer.

Second, the line between "expression" (itself a gloss on the traditional limit of copyright protection "words") and "ideas" has become far too blurry.

Third, and this just makes #1 more likely and #2 more problematic, the rights of copyright are exerciseable not just by individuals, but by corporations with both the ability to "live forever" (under the law) and to concentrate much greater weatlh on "protection" efforts. When a company worth billions can put its legal counsel to work flexing their litigation muscle, and do so without penalty for "frivolous" action, they can push the boundaries of restriction much farther than an individual copyright holder ever can.

Personally, I think the creative commons idea is an excellent one, especially the way it leaves the decision as to how much copyright claim to keep. But I am not convinced that the creative commons approach will have the success its proponents claim unless and until the way by which other legal and political institutions determine copyright protections is substantially reformed. As long as the system is set up to enable the RIAAs of the world to be significant players in the game, the system will fail to do what it should be doing.

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What do you mean by 'creative commons'? I'm curious about that, it sounds good.

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You have a good point, but the "drones" have come up with ways not to pay so much now. The system should be correcting itself, but the people making all of the money are trying to scare people into overpaying as before.

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FYI...

http://creativecommons.org/about/what-is-cc 

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I like free! :)


I was at Walmart last night and noticed quite a few DVD's are $19.99 and Blu Ray are $29.99. That's for movies that are more than six months old and some over a year old!

That's freaking insane. And they want to bitch about people downloading music and movies? Really? I've watched MTV Cribs a few times, they don't need a 7th car to be happy.

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My website  is released under the Creative Commons License.

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Second link from the bottom on the left ... I admit ... I excitedly clicked it and then 'sighed' ... in disappointment.

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You are indeed an asshole, my friend, but I like you all the better for it.

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I'll come out and say that yes, I have pirated software, music, and movies before.

I will also come out and say that at least 80% of what I've pirated I've eventually bought, or already owned (or in the case of movies/TV shows, brother had the DVDs but didn't want to borrow them). In my mind, this is responsible pirating, in that I'm not hurting anyone or taking money from anyone.

Where I take issue, is when people say "WOW, that CD is overpriced *rant about how little artists get without realizing that CD sales/radio exposure is what gets word about bands out, and thus sells concert tickets which is where the money is at*"... Then go download the music anyways with no intention of ever paying for it if they like it. This is theft, plain and simple, and indicative of what I see as a rising culture of expecting things for free.

I'm involved in the Starcraft II beta, and the sheer amount of WHINING from people, and threats to not buy/pirate the game due to minor issues like a lack of public chatrooms is just sick. If there's enough issue with a product to where it's not worth your money, don't steal it.