Why is downloading so taboo here?

[JewishHobbit]

I'm not asking this as an assault on authority or anything, I'm genuinely curious. It's common knowledge that SSH is anti-downloading of comic books, but there's been a lot of times when someone mentions downloading something a mod shows up with a warning or asking to delete comment etc.

It seems a bit overkill to me. I mean, yeah, I can see the problem with someone going around bragging about getting comics for free and sharing the means to do so publically. That can hurt the website and it's rep, but just mentioning it doesn't seem so bad. There are instances when people aren't doing it out of malice.

For example, being a paycheck by paycheck kinda guy, I can't always get the comics I want immediately, so I download what I can't afford to get the story, and then I buy them at a later date when it's more financially reasonable (or when I can find the comic at a lesser price than what I struggle to afford).

So anyway... yeah... why so much censorship? And I'm the kind of guy who LOVES censorship... but this one topic just seems wierd to me. It's not like people on your site talking about downloading comics is saying the site promotes it.

 

[Phaedrus45]

It's the classic "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.

 

[Drz]

If we hear people downloading comics, how can we know the person will buy the HC or actual issue later? It's a very moral question but i don't want any piracy talk going on whatsoever. Theres nothing worse than hearing a guy excited about a comic serie but instead of him you know, ACTUALLY SUPPORTING the comic serie, he just downloads scans of some pages of it.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I don't download any new comics.

Just really old ones that are impossible to get hold of. Then if I find em I buy em.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

It probably has to do with the simple fact that downloading is stealing, and stealing is wrong. Yeah, yeah, "everybody does it. it's no big deal, blah blah blah." and I'm sure the Hype does not want to be associated with or even seem to be encouraging stealing and/or illegal activities.

Do you not realize downloading is stealing?

And what do you mean you love censorship? That's the strangest thing I've ever heard.

 

[iloveclones]

I've been in a discussion or two when this happens, and at times it seemed a bit door-slamming harsh, but I think SHH is just playing it carefully.

For instance, I think it's perfectly legit to talk about issues such as "Why Marvel/DC don't have a download system in place" or "What format would you support" or "What's the future of comics"... that sort of stuff.

But I think, if it turns into a discussion where people are suggesting that it's all right or justifiable (even with disclaimers of "But I buy it later"), or even worse, where to do it, then SHH has a right to step in. Because they (as a private entity, btw) have decided to take a firm stance on this issue. And I applaud them.

Not to mention, I'm sure they don't want caught up in any legal nonsense by being some kind of online go-between or enabler.

Frankly, if they decide that there will be no more discussion about Green Goblin action figures, well, it's their sandbox, so their rules are the only rules.

My own view: I think the 2 majors are being very head-in-the-sand on this issue. I hope to God one of them is collaborating with Apple or Amazon or Sony or some unknown to take advantage of a color eReader which I'm sure is just a matter of time in the coming. Honestly, if I thought I could read their content in B&W, I'd still buy one.

Downloading was supposed to be the death of the music industry, and I still see them chugging along, healthier than ever. The first one to put in place a plan that people will enjoy is going to reap major benefits.

 

[Bubonic]

Because the grand majority of people who have gotten into the habit of downloading their comics do not buy them anymore.
Same with people who download movies and music en masse.

Personally I do download ongoings but always by the trades. I just hate paying for 15 pages of adds and I like having the whole story between my hands once all the pieces are together.

I also have downloaded some of the older stuff that can't be reasonably purchased or found.

 

[Themanofbat]

Downloading comics???

 

[Colossal Spoons]

^Who would do such a thing!?

Because the grand majority of people who have gotten into the habit of downloading their comics do not buy them anymore.
Same with people who download movies and music en masse.

Personally I do download ongoings but always by the trades. I just hate paying for 15 pages of adds and I like having the whole story between my hands once all the pieces are together.

I also have downloaded some of the older stuff that can't be reasonably purchased or found.

90% of the stuff obtain electronically I either buy in hardcover later or the g/f buys. The other 10% are not worth my money but I'd still like to follow the story like Rulk.

 

[Vartha]

I have NO problem down loading OLD comics after what Marvel pulled with GIT, the company that was going to put MOST of all the Thor comics on a CD that I was GOING TO BUY.

 

[Drz]

90% of the stuff obtain electronically I either buy in hardcover later or the g/f buys. The other 10% are not worth my money but I'd still like to follow the story like Rulk.

So you're saying you download Loeb's stuff even tho you don't like it? Are you forgetting the pencillers, inkers and colorists who also worked on the comic?

 

[iloveclones]

I have NO problem down loading OLD comics after what Marvel pulled with GIT, the company that was going to put MOST of all the Thor comics on a CD that I was GOING TO BUY.

Hey, I was disappointed that they ended that too. I bought Spidey, X-Men, Avengers, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Captain America. I would have bought Iron Man and Thor if they hadn't ended it. But they did, which is their right. It's their product. They have no obligation to ever release it, again, in any form.

Disney used to play this game all the time. They would hold off on releasing a movie to increase demand in it. Then people would be willing to pay more and create all kinds of buzz over it. That's their right.

 

[Evil Twin]

The word "copyright" seems to go over the heads of most downloaders. And who can blame SHH for not wanting to get sued because others are breaking the law.

I do agree that at some point Marvel or DC will have to come up with a digital alternative. Although frankly I think that has something to do with preserving the direct market, the only real market for monthly comics these days.

BTW, how's Zuda?

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I don't think the word copyright goes over downloaders heads, they just don't give a toss about it.

 

[JewishHobbit]

I understand the problems of downloading comics, that's obvious. I just don't see the problem in discussing it. As long as the means aren't being publically passed around or asked for, I don't see how Hype could be pinned as a middle man or endorser.

And what do you mean you love censorship? That's the strangest thing I've ever heard.

I hate hearing language, seeing fowl stuff, etc. So any time anything like that is sensored and controled it makes me enjoy... whatever it is... all the more. I'm not talking to the extremes people might think, but a control on things, such as Hype's keeping things all ages, is a plus as far as I'm concerned.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[SuperFerret]

I don't think the word copyright goes over downloaders heads, they just don't give a toss about it.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Why should we care about taking Marvel's money when they steal ours for every $4 and $5 comic they sell at 22 pages

 

[SuperFerret]

I see downloading movies, music, comics, etc. as the same as borrowing a friend's copy of said item and watching/listening to/reading it, or should that be illegal too?

 

[JoeCat]

I don't find torrents or other shared data unethical. The way I see it, if something is genuinely worth buying, then people will still buy it.

I would imagine that SuperHeroHype does not allow pirated materials as it may compromise exclusives or material that they have the privilege of receiving. So really, they're doing everybody a favor by not endorsing such material, so that way they officially receive new images, set visits, etc.

 

[iloveclones]

Why should we care about taking Marvel's money when they steal ours for every $4 and $5 comic they sell at 22 pages

Would you go up to a table and make that argument to Dan Slott? Because, indirectly or directly, you're stealing from him. Or Geoff Johns. Or Robert Kirkman.

 

[JewishHobbit]

If it came up, yeah. I would just declair it, it's rude, but if it came up I'd admit to it. I know that's crappy, but I'm bitter enough at Marvel's price gauging that I don't care at the moment. They can blame both me and Marvel for screwing them over.

But for the record, that's not why I download when I seldom do.

 

[SuperFerret]

It all comes down to money really, which is generally why I don't care.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I haven't bought a movie since last December. I just download em!

But like I said when it comes to comics, I support the new ones that I like coz I don't wanna see them dropped. Pirating movies is different from pirating comics in that sense.

I do download really old or rare comics though.

 

[Themanofbat]

Why should we care about taking Marvel's money when they steal ours for every $4 and $5 comic they sell at 22 pages

I know that you meant that partially in jest, but nobody's putting a gun to anybody's head making them buy the product, so nobody's stealing your money, as you have made it perfectly clear that you're avoiding the more expensive comics....

Though it would be nice to have some kind of breakdown as far as what's considered a cost and what's profit when it comes to comic prices...

 

[Spider-Jay420]

No offense, but to the people who think it's OK to download something because it's not worth buying or you don't like Loeb or whoever, that's delusional. It's still stealing.

If I made comics, or music or movies or whatever and people were stealing it online for free, I'd be pissed. And I'm sure they are too.

And come on, you have a free copy on your hard drive but you're gonna buy it anyway? Sure you are.

Don't get me wrong, I download music too. But I know it's stealing. I just don't care. But don't try to justify it, call it what it is.

And Hobbit, you're telling me that when, whatever, Trading Places is on VH1 and all the swear words are edited out, you enjoy that better?? You'd rather see Eddie Murphy say "Kiss my hand" than the way it was originally meant to be. That's crazy talk. That's when the terrorists win. Sorry, but I hate censorship with a passion. I'm an adult and I can handle "dirty" words. I don't need anyone telling what I can or can't see or hear.