Discussion: Online Piracy, Net Neutrality, Killswitch, and Other Internet Issues

[Donut]

FileSonic shutters file-sharing service

In an apparent reaction to the U.S. Department of Justice's seizure of Megaupload's assets, FileSonic has disabled its own file-sharing functionality. The site previously offered storage and sharing services similar to the now-defunct Megaupload, but its front page currently reads, "All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally." Other than that banner, FileSonic's been quiet on the subject; neither the official blog nor its Twitter account mention any change.

According to TorrentFreak, FileSonic is among the top ten file-sharing sites on the internet, serving up a quarter-billion page views every month. Like Megaupload, the site had at least made gestures toward curbing copyright infringement: its "In the Press" section still touts a partnership with content-analysis firm Vobile, signed in December. The partnership was meant to keep copyrighted material from ever reaching users, but it's unclear whether FileSonic put Vobile's technology into place. In the wake of the Megaupload seizure, the company may have settled on a more drastic solution.

In a similar move, cyberlocker Uploaded.to has apparently blocked U.S. users, greeting them with a homepage reading, "Our service is currently unavailable in your country. Sorry about that." It's also been quiet about its motivations.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/22/2...rests-filesonic-shutters-file-sharing-service

 

[TheVileOne]

They are being shutdown probably because they are blatantly violating copyright laws I guess .

Listen not that I support SOPA or IP acts, but I mean it still doesn't make all the things they do free and legal.

 

[Marvolo]

They are being shutdown probably because they are blatantly violating copyright laws I guess .

Listen not that I support SOPA or IP acts, but I mean it still doesn't make all the things they do free and legal.

No one is saying that.

What is confusing is why the government is shutting them down before the legislation passes? If they've always been able to this then the legislation isn't needed and is just an attempt to take away some freedoms of speech. If the legislation is needed to do what they are doing then they are jumping the gun and doing something that currently has no legislation to support it. Either way, they are potentially breaking the law and violating the rights of those they are prosecuting.

 

[TheVileOne]

Maybe copyrighters are stepping up enforcement.

I mean why did certain other sites that posted stuff get shutdown when they did?

What's confusing about sites that have illegally uploaded material getting shut down.

Also File Sonic hasn't been shut down completely, just the wing that had the file sharing. You can still upload files you put there yourself.

 

[Thundercrack85]

It's fairly simple. It's the Empire Strikes Back.

SOPA got killed by the internet, now the people backing SOPA are getting back at the internet. They wanted to make an example out of Megaupload. And it seems to be working to some degree. But there are hundreds of other sites.

 

[TheVileOne]

Well I mean . . . is that wrong though?

I know people like using those sites and all, but I mean if they are violating laws, what's wrong with people getting their content through like Hulu, YouTube, official sites, Netflix, Crackle, etc?

 

[Thundercrack85]

Debatable. They chose Megaupload for a reason. It was making a ton of money off of illegal uploads, and encouraged such uploads. However not every file sharing company does that. How much responsibility do such websites have to make sure that nothing copyrighted is being uploaded? And what do you define as fair use? Etcetera.

It's not unlike the youtube lawsuits from a few years ago. I suppose the debate would be less heated if Hollywood wasn't so underhanded in their tactics. Corrupting the legislation, publishing false data, etc. If Hollywood had its way, we would have no internet.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

MediaFire CEO: Unlike Megaupload, our business model isn’t built on piracy


Hopefullly they find some way to target torrent sites.
Maybe get some buggers to actually buy some crap instead of nicking it like free candy.

 

[TheVileOne]

Now I mean I agree with all that on Hollywood however keep in mind it's not just their material. It's all sorts of stuff and I mean if we are going to support content creators and the rights to their material when sites like this get popped I mean . . . we can't really cry about it.

I think fair use is basically like what Movie Clips does or what reviewers use, things like that. I think it should also apply to parody. Though I think Movie Clips does license and ask for permission for everything they use.

I think those sites should have people to work for them that make sure people aren't violating copyright law etc.

I know people probably are upset about this, but at the end of the day if they were all legit they wouldn't be shut down.

I'm all about technology and innovation and all that. I don't support the restrictive nature of the SOPA and IP acts. At the same time, I think certain people need to drop the entitled attitude. I do think content providers need to stop being scared of the internet and embrace the technology instead of the old way of doing business.

I don't think though because you buy a PS3 or game console and you can jail break the console you can like hack and copy any game you want.

 

[Boom]

Apparently there is a "movement" encouraging people to not purchase any media throughout the entire month of March.

http://www.inquisitr.com/184848/nev...-ides-of-march-because-black-march-is-coming/

 

[TheVileOne]

LOL, whatever. This has turned into a stupid pissing contest. Not going to stop buying stuff.

Hmm Time Warner supports SOPA, guess I'm not going to see Dark Knight Rises in theatres.

Artists admit it, you are business people and want to get paid at the end of the day too .

Why else are the Kirby's suing Marvel to try and get the character rights of Spider-Man?

 

[Thundercrack85]

I'd rather have a free internet with a few people abusing the system than not having one. Of course, the problem is grossly overstated. Look at Wolverine (comic book example). It was leaked online, and it still made 373 million dollars. And it was an awful movie.

The argument for SOPA would also be stronger if there weren't such ridiculous copyright laws.

 

[TheVileOne]

Thundercrack85, I mean is it just a few though now?

I mean I agree that I don't think piracy really prevents lower or bad BO. We are in a recession and I think the problem is a subpar product and that's why ticket sales are down. Look at Dark Knight and Avatar, when you put big unique experiences in theatres people will still turn out in droves.

However at the same time, you can't begrudge copyright holders exercising what is within their rights to do.

If the problem is copyright law you need to take that up with authors.

 

[Why Are You Crouching Spock?]

Of course, the problem is grossly overstated. .

I don't agree that it isn't over-stated. Companys have went out of bussiness because of piracy. Indie games (not big faceless conglomerations) have had a 90% piracy rate.


Hell man, a charity indie bundle, that actually lets you decide how much you want to pay, has estimated that 25% of people just nicked it without paying a penny.


The largest digital distrabutor of games on the planet isn't steam with 40 million users, it isn't xboxlive nor is it PSN, it's pirate bay. With torrents estmated to be 2-3-4-5-6-7 sometimes even 8 times what a game sells.

You hear all the excuses over and over. "game has no demo" "well, they aren't going to buy it anyway" "games are too expensive these days" "drm" and all that.

I think part of the problem is the lack of any repercusion. Alot of these people jumping on board are probably doing it not out of creative freedom or any of that but because it threatens the ability to jump of torrents and nick crap. Up until now any threat has been practically none-existent for the mass, mass mass amount of pirates running around.


"no effect" is rubbish as well. You know what the most popular pc games are now? MMO, casual and free2play games. What do these have in common? You can't pirate them. A large portion have just given up and went to consoles specifically because the piracy rate is lower, it's harder to pirate a console, fact. I specifically blame pirates for the horrid state pc gaming is in at the moment.

 

[Kane52630]

Avatar is the most pirated movie of all time and look at the box office and dvd/blu ray sales...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/avatar-most-pirated-movie-all-time-247499

 

[TheVileOne]

I mean with the anti-people there is sort of this idea, "Uh oh yuze taking away our free downloads!" now.

I mean I don't agree with all the restrictive nature of this legislation. However at the same time, if companies want their content taken down, it's going to happen.

Look at what site was it, mangahut? Some manga scanlation sites got shut down.

I think they could fix it in anime and manga by licensing the titles to bring them over here and stream them online or digital downloads. Which I think some sites and distributors do now.

I think the problems is companies were not prepared for the digital blow-up and were unequipped on how to handle it.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Let's face it, it's not the little guy that is pushing SOPA. The little guy can barely afford a lawyer, much less buy votes in congress. It's not the little guy that is suing Google / Youtube for 1 billion dollars for alleged loss in revenue. Or suing a grandmother into the poor house for downloading 15 songs.

Get me a small violin, and I'll play a non-copyrighted piece of music.

 

[TheVileOne]

It's not the little guy pushing SOPA because no one likes SOPA except the big content providers and democrats like Harry Reid. And the politicians backed by big Hollywood.

 

[Marvolo]

Avatar is the most pirated movie of all time and look at the box office and dvd/blu ray sales...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/avatar-most-pirated-movie-all-time-247499

Actually Avatar was only 2010s most pirated movie. Fast Five took the honor in 2011. It was download over 9.26 million times!

This site has the top 10 pirated movies of 2011.

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/fast-five-most-pirated-movie-of-2011/

 

[Raiden]

Wow, both Filesonic and Fileserve are affected by Megaupload's recent blight, and now disable any file sharing for their users. Looks like the Feds are already winning without SOPA.

 

[chamber-music]

Avatar is the most pirated movie of all time and look at the box office and dvd/blu ray sales...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/avatar-most-pirated-movie-all-time-247499

The Dark Knight was also heavily pirated especially in China and still went on to make a billion dollars. Not saying piracy is right.

 

[M.E.H.Z.E.B]

I just have to ask:

What about countries where there are no original DVDs or media sold, and where streaming or digital downloads are not allowed on location grounds?

There are countries where there are no Hollywood movies screened in theatres, and only pirated DVDs are sold on the open market.

Some of these people may in fact want to buy original content, and pay for movies, but they have no legitimate way of doing it. For countries which have such facilities, there is no excuse, however, what about the ones which are not in fact costing the studios any money whatsoever?

If Hollywood has not entered a particular market, can we say that it is even losing anything from that market? It's not the fault of piracy in these circumstances, but Hollywood's failure to go global... truly global.

 

[munchie64]

All that needs to happen is a cheap, easy to reach, worldwide digital distribution service needs to be made for movies and games. That will stop the majority of illegal downloads. It worked with iTunes.

 

[moraldeficiency]

All that needs to happen is a cheap, easy to reach, worldwide digital distribution service needs to be made for movies and games. That will stop the majority of illegal downloads. It worked with iTunes.

Pretty much.

The advantage of piracy over retailers is less about money and more about independence and choice. If you loved a movie and want the DVD well you can either wait about a year to get it or get it online right now. Which are you really gonna choose? Plus wouldn't it be so much better for distributors to make content available online quicker, with a greater selection and more cheaply because it's virtually free to them and then let the consumers actually do the work of making the DVD or picking out the parts they want of something?

Some people are always gonna steal, it's called shrinkage and it's built into the price of everything, so they aren't losing money, not really. But the way the release content, overpricing it by a factor of thousands and not making it available in a way that anyone would call timely basically makes people that would never consider piracy think it a viable option. Basically I'd rather **** someone then get ****ed, but the best option would be an all around sex romp though to do this the artists need to get onboard, get naked and be willing to get a little messy.

 

[bell110]

I'd rather have a free internet with a few people abusing the system than not having one. Of course, the problem is grossly overstated. Look at Wolverine (comic book example). It was leaked online, and it still made 373 million dollars. And it was an awful movie.

The argument for SOPA would also be stronger if there weren't such ridiculous copyright laws.

This. I don't care if everything was pirated, the internet should remain free. People rob banks and steal cars all the time in real life, and we don't live in a police state (not yet anyways), so why should we turn the internet into a virtual police state because some people pirate stuff?