Something to think about
Media Defender is known for their shady tactics. Besides launching video upload services, they also trap people into downloading fake torrents so they can collect IP addresses, and send copyright infringement letters to ISPs.
This just doesn’t end. Piracy has been raving around for quite some time now. And with the wide spread use of broadband internet, things might have changed a bit.
Michael Moore (and probably more people before him) once asked something along the lines - if I download a movie, watch it and delete it - I can still go to jail or be forced to pay a fine. But what if I have a friend who bought the movie, lends me his CD, and I watch it and return it - what then? Nothing, right? And yet, I’ve done exactly the same in both instances. Watched the movie or played a game free of charge.
I hope everyone sees the dilemma here. The only difference is, some get CDs (DVDs) in a nice shiny box, and others get it through 10101010. I really don’t know what the BFD’s all about. As long as you don’t sell the damn thing, no one is getting hurt per se. Besides, if the product (a movie, or a game, for instance) is good, I’m pretty sure people are bound to buy it, or at least go see it in the movies (I’m still waiting for Band of brothers marathon). After all, it feels o.k. to have a bunch of shiny boxes on your shelf, knowing you support the developers. Just like it’s super cool to have a bunch of big fat books, and not photocopied material, that usually lacks in quality (binding and print).
It just shows how corporations are starting to dominate everything we do and think. By the way, that’s not that super, y’ know.
…if I download a movie, watch it and delete it - I can still go to jail or be forced to pay a fine.
Here in the States it’s going to get even more convoluted. The MPAA/RIAA want new laws that allow “intent to commit piracy” to be tantamount to the crime itself. In other words, even connecting to the torrent service would be punishable as if you’d committed a crime–no actual violation needed!
Comment by Kvatch — 9 July, 2007 @ 23:14
While the Industry hasn’t been so vigilant in our parts of the wood yet, I do sympathize with those that have been struck by the Plague.
Pushing for such measures to ban connecting to a network just shows that they’re in for control, and not for their righteous share. Which is also kinda stupid. If I download something, it doesn’t mean I’ll buy it.
Comment by romunov — 10 July, 2007 @ 6:03