Your opinion on File Sharing

[9i OTD]

Depends. I don't mind pirating music as usually the album it's from is cheap as sh*t anyway, like when I downloaded a bunch of songs from Mellon Collie and the Infinite sadness and then bought the actual CD for like $7 later. I wouldn't usually pirate movies but if someone else has the file and offer it to me, I'll take it.

[Nick1020]

In a messed up tense I couldn't care less about piracy on big title games and movies like Frozen, GTA 5 and Twilight which all surpassed a billion dollars.

 

But for small things like indie games and low budget films yes.

 

Edit: Forgot to add that I used to pirate moves until it gave my phone a virus.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Nick1020

[Niobium]

i have no remorse when i pirate something from a company which already has a f*ck-ton of money.

[Aby]

I only pirate something if I don't have access to it, like a movie that is not available on Netflix. Otherwise, I buy all my stuff.

[Pavle]

I admit, I pirate stuff because no one in Serbia cares about it. And if I can't afford a game or I can't purchase it anywhere I pirate it. I don't feel guilty in any way.

[Raavi]

It's a product, you either pay for the product through legal means or it's stealing. There's no gray area here.

 

Uh, I'll have to disagree there. There is a grey area and that grey area is streaming. In fact CJEU ruled that embedding ≠ copyright infringement and thus that streaming copyrighted material online is not by definition illegal in Europe.

[Spaghetti Cat]

I don't pay for gas because f*ck BP

 

I don't pay for a big mac because McD's is too big of a company.

 

I stole an iPhone because apple has a high net worth

 

I don't pay taxes because Obama is a jerk.

 

I didn't pay for college because knowledge is power.

 

I did't tip the waiter because he should bring me food regardless.

 

I didn't pay for dinner because I was hungry.

 

I want somebody to fix my computer for free because it should just work.

 

And if somebody works really hard to create a work of film or music I shouldn't have to pay for it either, cause the only victim is the artist who's product I enjoy.

[Crazyeighties]

So, I was recently discovered by my university of using the schools wifi to file share, or torrent, movies. This got me thinking about how others feel about it. I, personally, feel no guilt since I usually download TV shows which aren't paid for anyway. For movies if I really want to see it, I'll go to the theaters or wait until its on Netflix. But if its an older movie or one that I wasn't planning on seeing in theaters, I download it. So what do you guys think about sites like piratebay and their services? What do you think should be the law on it?

If I were to download a movie on torrent I would likely end up buying it anyway considering I have 10.000 DVDs (roughly) but I think if I buy a digital item like a cd it's mine to do what I please if I want to share it I should be able to

[Dingdongs]

 

 

It's a product, you either pay for the product through legal means or it's stealing. There's no gray area here.

Uh, I'll have to disagree there. There is a grey area and that grey area is streaming. In fact CJEU ruled that embedding ≠ copyright infringement and thus that streaming copyrighted material online is not by definition illegal in Europe.

I was referring to just piracy, not streaming. Streaming is totally fine. The company you stream from paid for the rights to allow people to stream what they bought, ie spotify Netflix etc

[Raavi]

Of course those services are perfectly legal. I was referring to free streaming services the likes of popcorn time and free streaming sites and their (i)legality. That's definitely a grey area.

[TheGodDamnMaster]

I used to do it years ago, so I can't really say it's wrong without being two-faced. Ever since the whole MegaUpload, SOPA, and Pirate Bay fiascos over the past few years have gotten nastier, I've severely limited my uses of P2P services. The only time I'll use them is if there's a song or soundtrack you can't find anywhere on youtube or ebay.

 

As for streaming, yes I've done that too, but not all that much. Most of my shows have re-runs on cable or are on Netflix. I also like to support my local video store, it's literally the only decent one left within a 30 mile radius.

 

However, I don't see anything wrong (even though it is illegal in most cases) with having a back-up copy of a piece of content you own, or rather a *copy* of a piece of content you own.

Edited February 17, 2015 by WhatsStrength

[t3h PeNgU1N oF d00m]

Here's a question that is somewhat related to the topic: Do you think internet piracy and torrenting has reached its "peak"?

 

What I mean by that question is, with major torrent websites such as The Pirate Bay being (in this case, temporarily) shut down, do you think it's all downhill from here for pirates? Or do you think it's stronger than ever?

[Tyler]

I seriously doubt that pirating content will decrease in any meaningful way. However, the best transition into legal media as a tactic for combating pirating has been the increased success of streaming services like Spotify and Netflix-- those are probably the largest killers of content pirating for their respective media type. Google's music services and introduction of a more music-centric YouTube feature will probably factor into the decrease of music pirating a bit, as well.

 

The fact remains though, that as long as the content isn't conveniently available to the consumer, it will be pirated. Be it for lack of money, lack of availability, region-locking, or what have you: piracy remains as a feature that allows anyone to circumvent the socially acceptable method of content sharing.

[uNi]

Here in Portugal you're allowed to download whatever you want as long it is for personal use, only sharing that content is illegal.

 

I still buy games and go to the cinema, although I do a lot of streaming, mostly for old tv shows. PT isp's offer all the content that was shown last week on the tv, you can browse whatever you want, so you just can pick a movie/doc/wtv to watch on your TV/PC. As for music, I've stopped walking around with a mp3 player years ago, so I don't have much need beside what's hosted on Youtube.

[trip]

Sharing has been around since the beginning of consumer media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like to think that file sharing spurs people to purchase and experience new things. If someone turns me onto a band by letting me 'borrow' some mp3s and I enjoy this new band that I didn't know about, chances are I'll buy some albums.

[Jolly Swagman]

 

You wouldn't steal a car if you couldn't afford to buy one would you?

 

But it would be pretty awesome if you could burn a copy of a mates though.

 

 

Seriously though I only ever pirate something if I cant access it otherwise

Edited February 18, 2015 by Jolly Swagman

[mr quick]

I have all sorts of old-school bootlegs - vinyls, cassettes, tapes, you name it. I think there's a certain charm to that sort of thing.

 

Also I downloaded "Whiplash" because the satan-rock audience of Norway had no interest in such a film and it was therefore not shown in any theaters (within my county)

[make total destroy]

I don't pay for gas because f*ck BP

 

I don't pay for a big mac because McD's is too big of a company.

 

I stole an iPhone because apple has a high net worth

 

I don't pay taxes because Obama is a jerk.

 

I *didn't pay* for college because knowledge is power.

*shouldn't have to* You can't pirate a diploma.

 

I did't tip the waiter because he should bring me food regardless.

 

I didn't pay for dinner because I was hungry.

 

I want somebody to fix my computer for free because it should just work.

 

And if somebody works really hard to create a work of film or music I shouldn't have to pay for it either, cause the only victim is the artist who's product I enjoy.

Except for the bit I crossed out--you're a dick if you don't tip, restaurant servers are rarely paid a livable wage--none of this sounds unreasonable at all, especially when you consider that all of these products are derived from stolen labor anyway. Whether I buy a Big Mac, or somehow manage to steal one, the success of McDonald's is still based on the exploitation of it's minimum wage employees. Whether I buy an iPhone, or manage to steal one, it would not exist were it not for the slave-like conditions Foxconn. employees are forced to endure, and so on. That is the inherent nature of commodity production, and one of the most fatal contradictions of the capitalist system.

 

It's often amazing to me, in the sense that it's utterly absurd, how many people cling to this bourgeois morality, where commodities, the work ethic, and so on, are viewed as sacred principles, fundamental to humanity, and progress. Even if they were in a position where they--for example--fell back on bills, rent/mortgage, and other living expenses, lost their job, subsequently lost their apartment/home, were forced to live out on the street, and could not find a job because they could not enjoy the benefits of housing, they would not dare to shoplift or steal if it meant they ate that night. The commodity is above them, and something to which they must strive to attain. That is the great joy the Spectacle offers us. A love for work, akin to a slave's love for their masters chains, the hanged man's love for the hangman's rope.

 

 

 

 

 

In other words:

[Niobium]

you fu*cking red commie socialist scum bastard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fireman]

I always buy sh*t afterwards.

 

They don't ship out demo's anymore (or barely), so I have to test it some other way, if it's great I'll buy it, if not, tough luck, make a better game next time.

 

I listen music off YouTube, that's paying for it right? Movies I either watch in the cinema when it's a movie I've really been looking forward though or wait till it appears on TV.

[Drunken Cowboy]

I miss when people didn't steal music.

Big name band concert tickets weren't a hundred f*cking dollars and merch t-shirts weren't f*cking forty...

[PinkRibbonScars]

I don't pirate stuff per say. I use apps like tubemate to download YouTube videos, showbox and popcorn for streaming movies and shows, and I use websites like kissanime +kisscartoon for watching anime and cartoons.

[Dingdongs]

Of course those services are perfectly legal. I was referring to free streaming services the likes of popcorn time and free streaming sites and their (i)legality. That's definitely a grey area.

I wouldn't say it's a grey area. They stream illegally purchased movies as far as I can see. Popcorntime even says they stream from torrents and warns users of the laws in their countries.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Irviding

[Ezza.]

It's a product, you either pay for the product through legal means or it's stealing. There's no gray area here.

Not exactly. Technically, unless you plan to make money off of selling said downloaded movie, song or TV show, then it's not illegal, at least not in Australia.

 

It's the exact same thing as recording a TV show or recording the radio, just when you throw "the internet" into the equation, every one gets confused all of a sudden.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Ezza.

[Shaundi.]

If I want a movie, I go in store to buy it. I always do. But if they don't sell it anymore, I resort to downloading it.

[Finn 7 five 11]

 

 

I try to buy all of my entertainment simply because I think pirating is messy and isn't always the perfect product. I use Netflix for movies/tv shows, Spotify for music and Steam/PSN for games.

 

I can't stand pirated movies unless the quality is perfect, which is rare, I subscribe to a dvd rental service and rent my dvds and bluray, they mail them to my house because streaming in Australia sucks pretty hardcore right now.

 

But I dunno, I'm on the fence a little bit, pirating isn't the same as stealing because you're not physically taking anything from them, there's technically no net losa.

Also I think pirating gets a film a lot more exposure and word of mouth is a big thing for movies, most people go on recommendation.

 

Then there's the debate of if they were ever going to watch the film if they had to pay for it.

 

I doubt the people who watch 5-6 movies a week would pay for them all.

There is a net loss though because you're not paying for the product as its intended to be paid for. Nnot to mention piracy runs up the costs for everyone else since the companies have to build in the shrink from the piracy.

 

I'm not claiming to be high and mighty and pay for every song, I use spotify premium for my music and I use Amazon prime for my movies and TV, doing it the cheapest legal way possible. I don't think piracy a horrible crime or anything but I think it's hilarious to see people trying to justify it..

Yeah I guess that's a valid point. I never pirate anything (except Sony Vegas to put together a fight video of one of my mates I filmed) but I can see the arguments people make pro-pirating.

[darthYENIK]

When it comes to games or programs, I only pirate what I've already bought, in the case that I've lost the discs. It usually only pertains to older programs.

 

When it comes to media, like movies and television, I only do it if it's not available on the format I want to use it. Like the Star Wars Holiday special. Or certain TV shows that for one reason or another haven't been released on video, like the Drew Carey show. Or if there is a cut of the film that isn't available on the format I want, like the theatrical cuts of Star Wars. Although there are DVD releases with the theatrical cuts, if you look online they usually cost much more money than it's worth.

[K20]

the way i see it, we [the normal people] are being robbed everyday by paying taxes, while these large entertainment companies and celebrities avoid taxes on a massive scale..... massively. and they get lots of free stuff [watches, cars, clothes etc]

 

i buy games, movies and albums at rare times. cause they have to be THAT good enough to have my hard earned money.

[Man-Django]

I have more of a problem with people who watch videos of beheadings and murders/suicides then act like it isn't detrimental to their already fragile mindsets. Dunno why these sites are accessible but yet it's piracy funds terrorism!

[Man-Django]

McDonald's buy their beef from a company that they actually own. The name they've given their own supplier is "100% Beef" allowing them to fool millions with their "100% Beef in our burgers" adverts while pumping people full off hormones and preservatives... There's always a grey area.