Why is downloading so taboo here?

[mre]

And Pulp Fiction.

 

[Anubis]

Oh dear God, Pulp Fiction. I sat there and couldn't even get through the first part where Jules and Vincent go to get the breif case. I think I made it to about where Jules shot the guy on the couch. After that I just said f**k it and popped in the DVD.

 

[Phaedrus45]

The difference is, your friend PAID for it. It's not the same thing. Download all you want to, I don't care, but know you're stealing.

And knowing is half the battle.

I was just thinking about this. I can buy a comic and sell it at a huge profit...or a great loss. Nobody but I gets the money. Hell, I can give my comic to my friend for free. Guess what? NOBODY GOT PAID!!!

Companies like Milehigh and mycomicshop make money off of people's collections, which the comic writers don't see a cent of. It's all "How can I make money...but, God forbid you give it away without earning a cent!"

And, lets just look at all these reprints that happen by Marvel, DC, and Independant comic companies. Are the original writers, artists, inkers, etc. seeing a penny of this? From what I understood from the inker on Avengers Deathtrap The Vault, he didn't get a thing from Marvel rereleasing that title. So, the companies might sound like hypocrites by getting after us for something they do. Also, is Marvel and other companies paying these writers for the old comics they offer on the net? Somehow I don't think so.


Yes, I can see that downloading comics, especially new ones, could be considered stealing....but, lets face it, are we any worse than the companies that screw over, or have screwed over, the people they have employeed?

 

[returntovoid]

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.

I also just download really old comics that are not in TPB's since I can only get TPB's where I live.

As for new comics, they are available here but I'm not interested in them.

Even though I'm reading old downloaded comics, I did buy the TPB for Batman: The Long Halloween and really liked it.

I was not sure if I would like Batman: Year One but I downloaded it to read, for the first time.

If I really like Year One, then I might eventually buy the TPB.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

JH hates cursing, did not know this.

 

[Drz]

If I really like Year One, then I might eventually buy the TPB.

So you just steal it and then consider buying it whenever you like it or not? Thats fair.

 

[iloveclones]

So you just steal it and then consider buying it whenever you like it or not? Thats fair.

It's the Age of Entitlement. Americans have voted: We Deserve. You work, I get. I'll pay if I want, but gimmee! Now! Oh, and by the way, I reserve the right to criticize mercilessly for what I'm getting for free. And if you don't like it, well, it's the wild world of the internets, deal with it.

 

[Evil Twin]

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?

Your friend paid for the legal copy and has a right to do with that copy what he likes, within certain restrictions. Like, not making another copy.

You have no right to put a copy on your computer.

The only one that has the right to make a copy is the copyright holder.

Is that really hard to understand?

 

[Ace of Knaves]

No it's not hard to understand.

But people don't care, is that really hard to understand?

"Hey! You're breaking the law!"

"Oh am I? Sorry, I better not do it again"

The world doesn't work like that.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

So you just steal it and then consider buying it whenever you like it or not? Thats fair.

It is fair. It's like test driving a car. Would this be less devastating if people deleted the comic after downloading it?

 

[random_havoc]

It is fair. It's like test driving a car. Would this be less devastating if people deleted the comic after downloading it?

Exactly. Or like how we hear songs on the radio before buying them.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Wrong. the only way it's like test driving a car, is if after you drive the car, you keep it anyway without paying for it. Now it's the same thing.

and it's not about "a company screws their employees anyway, so who cares if we steal from them?" C'mon! Company makes a porduct to be purchased by consumers. If you don't like the product, you don't buy it. It's very simple.

If you wanna steal? Then steal. But you're gonna justify stealing because you don't believe the product is worth paying for? Whatever....

Some people are all up in arms about Peter Parker's morals and having a drunken hookup and that's outrageous, but your morals are just fine when you steal? Awesome.

And thanks for the arguing tip, Random, I forgot you are a MASTER deBATER.

 

[iloveclones]

Exactly. Or like how we hear songs on the radio before buying them.

Wow, talk about not knowing how to debate.

Labels release songs to distribute via the airwaves with the INTENT on letting people hear it for free. Why would they do that? Because they want people to buy the album, go to the concert, etc. They are willing to give a free sample in the hopes that it boosts sales. Panera's gives free samples, too. Doesn't mean you can reach behind their counter, take a bite of a cinnamon roll, and THEN decide you want to buy it. But if they put one out for public consumption, then they can hardly complain when a teenager comes up, and takes the whole thing.

Marvel has made it quite clear that they DO NOT want their product released in this fashion. They are not giving out free samples, or asking a torrent site to put some of their product out. That's what makes it different.

I understand, and even agree with some of the justifications in that I think Marvel should be doing more in this area. Doesn't make it any more legal.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Downloading comics isn't the gateway drug you're trying to make it out to be. If I GTA any cars in the near future, I'll be sure to let you know.

I know. I'm exaggerating my point. C'mon dude. It's ok to steal? Really?!

You're making a blind assertion here. Do you think reviewers don't buy comics too, just cuz they get free copies? People read digital copies (legal or otherwise) because they love comics. So if they're good, they'll buy 'em. Just like with music.
The only difference is, with music you can hear it beforehand and then buy it, whereas with comics, before digital I'd spend $50, go home and realize $20 worth of it was crap.
Now my process is, read my review copies, wait til whole storylines hit tpbs (my preferred format) and then buy what i liked. That way marvel gets rewarded for the good work they've put out, and i don't get screwed again by buying something where they put out a couple issues then with a couple years before finishing it... or don't bother ever finishing it at all (New Universal).


Debating tip: Admitting hypocrisy rarely results in victory

No, I assume reviewers do buy comics. And I think most people in general do buy the actual books. As we should. But, I think it's crazy to have an attitude like, "**** em. Jeff Loeb and Rob Leifeld suck, and their **** is not worth paying for, so, **** em. I'm downloading this **** for free." That's not right. You know it's not right.

Now, you're telling me that's ok, because you might purchase them in book format IF YOU LIKE and DEEM IT WORTHY TO BE PURCHASED.

I don't think that's how it works. I think you purchase something and if you don't enjoy it or feel it's value, then you don't purchase it again.

Songs are on the radio so you'll be aware of them and hopefully buy the album.

Comic previews are online so you get a taste and hopefully buy the entire comic the way it was meant to be presented, on paper. I mean, c'mon, that's how it works.

You shouldn't download the entire comic illegally online for free. You know you shouldn't.

But you can, so who cares? No one can stop you.

right?

 

[Spider-Jay420]

You're awesome, Clones.

You and I see eye to eye on a lot of things. Next time you come to Sarasota I need to buy you a beer.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

You guys can keep banging on about what's wrong and what's right...

Is it gonna make a difference? Errr...no. Do you think people pirate because they don't know it's illegal? C'mon...

They know it's illegal, but.they.don't.care. And you two going on about "it is against the law!!" isn't gonna change that mentality.

 

[solidsnake91]

actually,i want to talk about something none of you thought of regarding downloading comics.
I live in Egypt and i am a huge comics fan but there is absolutly no way for me to buy ANY comic books (i once bumped into an HC of uncanny x-men which i bought at once ) so i have no alternatives other than downloading comics....knowing that i wish to support the industry and buy the comics .

 

[Ace of Knaves]

There no online shops that deliver there?

 

[Drz]

Yeah i guess i went overboard witrh my smilies. I just don't dig piracy, its all your opinion and while i don't like that i still respect you all as invidual people. <3 I guess i'll just avoid this thread to avoid nerd rage moments.

 

[iloveclones]

Thanks. And an Iron City is waiting in the 'burgh for you...

It's not like I think it's some kind of all consuming sin. Honestly, I think Marvel/DC turn a bit of a blind eye to it. Maybe they believe it is in their best interests to get their product out. I don't know. I just don't like the entitledness and the justification that goes along with it.

It all reminds me a bit of an interview I saw years ago of the group Chumbawamba (remember "I get knocked down"....I know, we've all tried so hard to forget...) Anyway, they believed in Anarchy, and anti-consumerism, and all that crap. And the interviewer asked them if it was alright for people to just go into stores and take their album. And they were just dumbfounded. Didn't know what to say. I loved it. It's so easy to say that that person over there shouldn't be making a profit. But for ME, the rules are different. I should be protected.

 

[iloveclones]

actually,i want to talk about something none of you thought of regarding downloading comics.
I live in Egypt and i am a huge comics fan but there is absolutly no way for me to buy ANY comic books (i once bumped into an HC of uncanny x-men which i bought at once ) so i have no alternatives other than downloading comics....knowing that i wish to support the industry and buy the comics .

You get a special dispensation

 

[Drz]

actually,i want to talk about something none of you thought of regarding downloading comics.
I live in Egypt and i am a huge comics fan but there is absolutly no way for me to buy ANY comic books (i once bumped into an HC of uncanny x-men which i bought at once ) so i have no alternatives other than downloading comics....knowing that i wish to support the industry and buy the comics .

Ever tried Amazon or anything? I can't get all Graphical novels so i either asks speficic shops to order from DC/Marvel.com or Amazon.co.uk for meself.

 

[Cth]

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.

A lot of it is because a lot of creators participate on the forums and contribute interviews/early access to previews/etc and SHH is obligated to do something if they object.

The problem in the past came when people were stupid about it, which necessitated the rule.

IE:
"I just got the newest issue of Transformers! Who wants a copy?"
"You can't do that!"
"Who cares?"
"Gimme a copy!"
"Me too!"
"Yeah, awesome!"
"MEMEMEMEMEME!"
(guy who created said comic could have IDW cut SHH out of coverage/press and given their connections with Dreamworks/Paramount who knows what else could occur if they asked for help protecting their copyright)

(next week)
"I've got the next issue! But I can't give you guys copies, at least not publically!"
"I'm only a PRIVATE in this army, but if I see a MESSAGE addressed to ME, I'm going to read it."

Inevitably, these threads devolve into hundreds of "me too!' "send me a copy" etc type posts.

Eventually SHH has to make a rule to keep the site from being sued or start reading PMs. They don't have the staff to do so and people'd go crazy over that stuff.

If all else fails, just wait until the library gets a copy and read it for free. If you're that addicted read online summaries or wait. There's inter-library loan if your local library doesn't carry TPBs, but most do.

 

[Spider-Jay420]

Thanks. And an Iron City is waiting in the 'burgh for you...

It's not like I think it's some kind of all consuming sin. Honestly, I think Marvel/DC turn a bit of a blind eye to it. Maybe they believe it is in their best interests to get their product out. I don't know. I just don't like the entitledness and the justification that goes along with it.

This.

Pittsburgh, huh? *mumblegrumbleStanleyCupmumblegrumble*


I know we're not gonna change the world, Ace, but as Matt Damon once said, "Change happens one person at a time."

 

[solidsnake91]

About getting comics from amazon and such,i think it's gonna be hard to get all the comics i want online (everyweek ) and i amnot sure about costs of shipping and stuff .