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

[Spidey-Bat]

People will still be limited due to their location. High-speed internet still isn't available everywhere.

 

[Thundercrack85]

People will still be limited due to their location. High-speed internet still isn't available everywhere.

With the ongoing wireless revolution? Well, let's pick this up in 2022.

 

[wiegeabo]

With the ongoing wireless revolution? Well, let's pick this up in 2022.

The wireless revolution in which the big media companies like Comcast are fighting.

And the apparent lack of spectrum available for wireless devices. (Although it's unclear how much of that is real, and how much of it is CEO's not understanding what exactly their engineers can pull off. But, if AT&T's bull **** 3G policies are any indication...it's a combination of both.)


But I'm hoping it's a fight big media loses pretty soon. The iPhone opened the floodgates and created a data-hungry world. And since the phone companies are putting their networks on the brink of failing because they refuse to slow down/stop selling smartphones so they can catch up, they have no one to blame but themselves. It's time to stop *****ing and whining and start giving consumers what they want.

 

[Raiden]

More coming?

 

[Thundercrack85]

Huh. Kind of makes you wonder why they even bothered with SOPA.

Maybe it was a feint attack? SOPA went down a little too easy.

It's the old military rule: "If your attack is going too well, you have walked into an ambush."

 

[wiegeabo]

RIAA wants to scrap OPEN Act

"The Recording Industry Association of America found itself in an unusual position this week: opposing an anti-piracy bill that's gaining momentum in Congress ... the RIAA argues the bill won't be effective at shutting down rogue sites. The trade group warns of 'indefinite delays' as claims of infringement are investigated. And it complains that the process envisioned by OPEN would allow for 'endless submissions by parties such as Google,' further gumming up the process. All the while, the alleged rogue site would be able to continue operating. The RIAA also warns that the need to hire an attorney to navigate the ITC's arcane legal process will 'put justice out of reach for small business American victims of IP theft.' The trade group complains that sites aren't held responsible for the infringing activities of their users, a rule the trade group says 'excuses willful blindness and outright complicity in illegal activity.' RIAA also says it's 'virtually impossible' to prove that a site infringed willfully, as OPEN requires."

Basically, the RIAA isn't happy because they'd actually have to prove wrong doing.

"But...but...due process is so HARD!" *stomps foot*

 

[Dr Lee]

So, anyone see what Anonymous did today? they managed to get into a FBI/Scotland Yard (UK London Police HQ) conference call about UK hackers (or pirates, can't remember which atm), record the entire call, then posted it online on Youtube.

 

[wiegeabo]

Summary?

 

[wiegeabo]

This

You can't kill piracy

Piracy is not raiding and plundering Best Buys and FYEs, smashing the windows and running out with the loot. It’s like being placed in a store full of every DVD in existence. There are no employees, no security guards, and when you take a copy of movie, another one materializes in its place, so you’re not actually taking anything. If you were in such a store, you’d only have your base moral convictions to keep you from cloning every movie in sight. And anyone who knows how to get to this store isn’t going to let their conscience stop them, especially when there is no tangible “loss” to even feel bad about.

It’s not a physical product that’s being taken. There’s nothing going missing, which is generally the hallmark of any good theft. The movie and music industries’ claim that each download is a lost sale is absurd. I might take every movie in that fictional store if I was able to, but would I have spent $3 million to legally buy every single DVD? No, I’d probably have picked my two favorite movies and gone home. So yes, there are losses, but they are miniscule compared to what the companies actually claim they’re losing.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

I disagree with burning DVDs and Blu-Rays. Just include a code to download it via the application.

 

[wiegeabo]

What's the problem with burning dics?

 

[Spidey-Bat]

First, if they made DVDs and Blu-rays easier to rip, then you'll have more people ripping them and posting them on torrent sites. Second, there's no point in it if you have a Steam for movies program. Just include a one-time use code with the movie that you activate on the program to have it added to your inventory. Then allow the user to download/stream the movie to their computer. Making movies easier to rip from their disc is irrelevant to the proposed solution.

 

[moraldeficiency]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_t..._shutter_site_selling_used_mp3s_for_now_.html

Very interesting case. Glad to see the court was able to see through the "high tech" aspect of things and ruled on simple ownership of property even if not physical.

 

[chamber-music]

Turns out FBI had a file on Steve Jobs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...tes-drug-use/2012/02/09/gIQAPBmo1Q_story.html

 

[wiegeabo]

The FBI has a file on everyone.

 

[Donut]

Even God

 

[dark_b]

Even God

you mean Morgan Freeman ? t:

 

[wiegeabo]

Morgan Freeman has a file on the FBI

 

[LOBO3315a]

In Russia people have file on KGB?

 

[Midnyte_Sun]

In Russia, people are the KGB.

 

[dnno1]

VEVO CEO Tries To Explain Their Hypocritical Act Of Piracy At Sundance

http://techcrunch.com/2012/02/10/ve...their-hypocritical-act-of-piracy-at-sundance/

 

[obin_gam]

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS gives statement about ACTA
http://www.msfaccess.org/content/se...greement-acta-and-its-impact-access-medicines

Many developing countries have no domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and governments and patients rely on imported generic medicines. Generic competition is the main driver of pharmaceutical price reductions. MSF relies primarily on generic medicines procured internationally. So too do the major procurers of AIDS medicines worldwide the Global Fund and PEPFAR. It is a public health necessity that the trade in affordable and legitimate medicines functions smoothly and without undue burdens. If a patient misses a lifesaving drug, even due to temporary delays, there can be potentially life-threatening health repercussions.
ACTA is part of the enforcement agenda advanced by rich countries outside of multilateral norm-setting institutions. ACTA would impose limits on price-reducing generic competition and jeopardize the free flow of legitimate medicines across borders. These enforcement efforts enhance the rights of pharmaceutical companies at the expense of poor patients.
Download this MSF briefing document on ACTA and its impact on access to medicines.

Gives a little perspective on how its not just about entertainment being affected.

 

[dark_b]

VEVO CEO Tries To Explain Their Hypocritical Act Of Piracy At Sundance

http://techcrunch.com/2012/02/10/ve...their-hypocritical-act-of-piracy-at-sundance/

before i start screaming and lose my f... mind. is this video telling the truth or is this made up? did they really pirate a tv program to show a football game? did they do teh same what they are suing other people for?

 

[Lighthouse]

Surprise!

Piracy Has Negligible Influence On U.S. Box Office: Study

 

[wiegeabo]

Surprise!

Piracy Has Negligible Influence On U.S. Box Office: Study

Color me not surprised in the least.

I'm also completely unsurprised that the longer it takes to release a film internationally, the more it gets downloaded internationally. The international markets have always hated getting releases weeks, even months after the domestic release (the same is true when another country is domestic, and the US is an international market).