So... are fan cuts of movies technically "piracy?"

[The Lizard]

By this point, I think we've all seen the latest SHH announcement about posting links to bootleg fan-edited versions of films. I'm not questioning SHH's policy on this because it's obviously in their best interest not to do anything that upsets the studios that provide SHH with scoops and such. I totally understand their position.

However, I am wondering about the description of creating a fan-edited film as "piracy". Copying a DVD with the intent of giving it to someone else is illegal of course, even if you're not making any profit from it. However, from a purely creative standpoint, are you really guilty of "piracy" if you buy a DVD, edit it into something you like better and then show that version to friends? After all, you did pay for the DVD in the first place.

This is a similar situation to the "Cleanflicks" DVD rental company in Utah that edits out certain parts of movies on DVD so that can rent them out as more "family friendly" versions. They make a profit from that however.

 

[Space Moose]

By this point, I think we've all seen the latest SHH announcement about posting links to bootleg fan-edited versions of films. I'm not questioning SHH's policy on this because it's obviously in their best interest not to do anything that upsets the studios that provide SHH with scoops and such. I totally understand their position.

However, I am wondering about the description of creating a fan-edited film as "piracy". Copying a DVD with the intent of giving it to someone else is illegal of course, even if you're not making any profit from it. However, from a purely creative standpoint, are you really guilty of "piracy" if you buy a DVD, edit it into something you like better and then show that version to friends? After all, you did pay for the DVD in the first place.

This is a similar situation to the "Cleanflicks" DVD rental company in Utah that edits out certain parts of movies on DVD so that can rent them out as more "family friendly" versions. They make a profit from that however.

I'm sure it voilates the public screening policy since you are sharing the viewing with a public audience. But I'm not sure. This is a good point to bring up though.

 

[Immortalfire]

If someone hacks and edits a film, and wants to show it to friends in their home, be my guest. Just don't link it here.

 

[The Lizard]

^ Understood, and that makes perfect sense from a forum management position.

 

[Kanon]

I guess a recut is just as bad as distributing clips, or portions of the movie, it doesn't matter if it's arranged in a different way... or as part of a different movie... Actually, I think when they talk about the copyright infringement they usually say "total or partial reproduction"

 

[zerohour films]

You also have to look at it from the a couple of different sides.

Putting it out there on the web to be viewed by such a potentially large audience is kind of a slap in their face.

It's almost like, hey you guys spent all this money and look what I did by myself in my room and it's better in my opinion.

And again from the director's, editor's, etc. standpoint. For whatever reason good or bad, they worked on that movie and made what they thought was a good film. And here are people taking it and chopping it up into something that suits them better. Then displaying for all the world to see.

It is a very touchy subject. And like has been said, I understand SHH's position. These are the same studios, directors, etc. that they rely on for interviews and info about new projects.

The priacy can come into play if someone started to distribute for profit. Like we have seen on so many fanfilms out there that were originally just posted online for people to enjoy for free and then someone along the way decided to download, capture from the net.

 

[K.B.]

Wow so this is piracy now too? Pretty soon sneaking into a movie will be piracy and so will buying a vhs tape of the movie.

 

[nocomics]

By this point, I think we've all seen the latest SHH announcement about posting links to bootleg fan-edited versions of films. I'm not questioning SHH's policy on this because it's obviously in their best interest not to do anything that upsets the studios that provide SHH with scoops and such. I totally understand their position.

However, I am wondering about the description of creating a fan-edited film as "piracy". Copying a DVD with the intent of giving it to someone else is illegal of course, even if you're not making any profit from it. However, from a purely creative standpoint, are you really guilty of "piracy" if you buy a DVD, edit it into something you like better and then show that version to friends? After all, you did pay for the DVD in the first place.

This is a similar situation to the "Cleanflicks" DVD rental company in Utah that edits out certain parts of movies on DVD so that can rent them out as more "family friendly" versions. They make a profit from that however.

I wonder if they have some agreement with the studios for this? Same with Netflix/blockbuster online theres gotta be some legal agreement with the studios...
Far as paying for the dvd thats just it ur paying for the DVD. The movie contents is still property of the studio's etc.. I'm no legal expert so not sure what the studios take on this is..Hmm,maybe someone would be kindof enough to email a entertainment lawyer and see what they say

 

[Joker]

Yes, they're piracy. You are taking a film, and distributing it for free, when it is not yours to distribute. Sure, you may cut it and change it around, but you had no legal claim on it to do that in the first place either. It's definetly piracy, and if you think otherwise you're deluding yourself.

 

[Joker]

Wow so this is piracy now too? Pretty soon sneaking into a movie will be piracy and so will buying a vhs tape of the movie.

sneaking into a movie, while not piracy as you're not pirating anything, is still illegal and you can be arrested/fined for it. And why would BUYING something legaly count as piracy, even if it is on a dead format? That's just a stupid thing to say.

 

[Joker]

This is a similar situation to the "Cleanflicks" DVD rental company in Utah that edits out certain parts of movies on DVD so that can rent them out as more "family friendly" versions. They make a profit from that however.

I'm sure the studio still makes a profit too though, unlike you showing your friends your "awesome new cut of spider-man 3 without the dancing scene" or whatever.

 

[Rac]

This is a similar situation to the "Cleanflicks" DVD rental company in Utah that edits out certain parts of movies on DVD so that can rent them out as more "family friendly" versions. They make a profit from that however.

Anyone else interested in a crusade? t:

 

[Taiwarriorz21]

It's Piracy. Your taking someone else's original ideas and converting them into something new. Now if you've been cleared to do so then that might not be piracy. Copyright means "Do Not Touch". They had writers and producers and what not work all together to make the movie, and they don't want people out their converting it to something else....it's a slap in the face. You know?

 

[PLAS]

It's Piracy. Your taking someone else's original ideas and converting them into something new. Now if you've been cleared to do so then that might not be piracy. Copyright means "Do Not Touch". They had writers and producers and what not work all together to make the movie, and they don't want people out their converting it to something else....it's a slap in the face. You know?

then why hasn't anyone ever put Puff Daddy in jail? the man butchers other people's songs for a living

 

[ProjectPat2280]

then why hasn't anyone ever put Puff Daddy in jail? the man butchers other people's songs for a living

Same for Kanye West.


On a side note, i love stealing movies.

 

[SolidSnakeMGS]

A lot of rap steals from other songs. Its why its my most hated genre of "music".

 

[enterthemadness]

I have no problem with fan made trailers and music videos, nor with fan cuts of movies imo. Especially if the fan in question thinks he can edit a better movie...and with hollywood these days, that's not very hard to do .

 

[Kanon]

I have no problem with fan made trailers and music videos, nor with fan cuts of movies imo. Especially if the fan in question thinks he can edit a better movie...and with hollywood these days, that's not very hard to do .

True. I wish the studios tried to stop this kinda stuff by making better movies, instead of whinning... but of course, that would be harder...