BrianDamage
We Are The Hounds From Hell
Premium
join:2001-08-14
Rowlett, TX
clubs: 
| The Redcoats are coming
After having read this stuff, I can only think that all of these folks (RIAA, MPAA) have legitimate gripes, but the way they are going about trying to rectify these events are frightening.
I noticed this from the one letter:
Index Size Name
> ----- ------ ---------------------------------------------------
> 11 259 MB (smr)harry_potter-ts(1of2).avi
> 12 196 MB (smr)jay_and_silent_bob_strike_back-wp(2of2).avi
> 13 137 MB ctp - windtalkers - svcd to divx (1of2).avi
> 14 42 MB South park - 603 - Asspen(DivX).avi
> 15 43 MB Southpark_-_504_Super_best_friends(DivX).avi
> 16 52 MB Southpark_-_505_Terrance_and_Garfunkel(DivX).avi
> 17 53 MB South_Park_0413-Trapper_Keeper_(DivX).avi
> 18 94 MB The Simpsons - Crayon Brain (Divx).avi
> -end-
Looking at file sizes, I would tend to believe that none of these are the full movies or shows, but snippets, like trailers and stuff.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
The way I see it, it's like free advertising for the studios and moviehouses that show the movies, plus retailers who would carry DVD and VHS stock of the stuff.
I could understand the frustration if these are full-length, first-run movies out there.
I also don't see the difference between getting a Simpsons episode in this way and simply recording it from the tube when it's on TV, to videotape.
The way I understand the consumer protection laws, that scenario is perfectly legal.
Why is this any different? It's just a different medium.
Maybe, just maybe, the DMCA is just a little overzealous in scope.
I feel that there needs to be some major revisions and clarifications of laws on the books and a need to reexamine consumer protection laws in relation to them, instead of just letting these corporate big dogs run amuck with consumers.
Some lines need to be drawn, on both sides.
All of this is getting way out of hand.
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02 | I believe those are the full shows....yes...
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Palpatine for Senate |
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cookem
join:2002-01-24
Maple Heights, OH | No those are not full shows.....movies are not that small...learn what you are talking about b4 u post |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02 | LOL. Yeah ok guy. That's just a 50 meg southpark commercial.
(nods)
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Palpatine for Senate |
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cbs228
Geeks Of The World, Unite
join:2000-09-04
Saint Louis, MO
|  reply to BrianDamage
just a little overzealous
Overzealous might be a bit of an understatement.
The DMCA allows the labels to silence those who say things that they find objectionable without going through the proper court procedure.
To that extent, the DMCA prohibits the distribution of anything (be it an idea, a program, or what have you) that disables or otherwise bypasses content protection. Call me crazy, but I think that's skittering dangerously close to violating our precious First Amendment. It has never been illegal to distribute information on how to commit a crime, otherwise I would not be able to get information on how to pick a lock (which I needed strictly for legal reasons, I might add).
In addition, the industry is trying to ram DRM related software down everyone's throats and hard drives. And yes, it's probably illegal to distribute information on how to bypass said DRM as well. In fact regulations may soon force all electronic devices manufactured, from this Mac to my wristwatch, to have extensive media copying protection built in!
The very idea that DVDs can only be played on industry approved players disgusts me. If I wanted to (and knew how) to manufacture a standard VCR, I don't think I would have to have industry approval to do so (although the FCC would be unhappy if the device caused radio interference). By controlling the manufacturing of DVD players, the MPAA can effectively control how we watch our paid for content, and their region system and the complete control a player must give to a DVD disk skitters pretty darn close to infringing on fair use.
Let's not forget our old friend, internet radio. The DMCA establishes rates based solely on a medium's ability to replace/promote phono record sales. Do you not agree that fair compensation would be based on the ability of said medium to generate revenue for the broadcaster? After all, business class DSL service and commercial software licenses charge more because that product is being used to make money.
And quit waiting for the government to bail us out of this nonsense. They will do nothing of the kind as long as the RIAA keeps lining their wallets.
The industry is roaring, "We own you!" not only to the artists behind them but also the consumer. I must make it abundantly clear that they will stop at nothing that is within their power to do to achieve this end. They will not stop until someone gives them a firm slap on the face to make them wake up and 'face the music' of the 21st century.
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If you stare too long into the abyss the abyss stares back at you. -Nietzsche |
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BrianDamage
We Are The Hounds From Hell
Premium
join:2001-08-14
Rowlett, TX
clubs:
| "The industry is roaring, "We own you!" not only to the artists behind them but also the consumer. I must make it abundantly clear that they will stop at nothing that is within their power to do to achieve this end. They will not stop until someone gives them a firm slap on the face to make them wake up and 'face the music' of the 21st century."
I agree. The madness has got to end.
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The only human truth is that we live and we die. Everything in between those events is open to interpretation. |
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TheWickerMan
join:2002-04-09
Enola, PA
| reply to Karl Bode
Re: The Redcoats are coming
said by Leviathan:
LOL. Yeah ok guy. That's just a 50 meg southpark commercial.
50 meg isn't very big for a video file. The original South Park "Spirit of Christmas" is about that size, and it's only about 5 minutes long. |
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BrianDamage
We Are The Hounds From Hell
Premium
join:2001-08-14
Rowlett, TX
clubs: | That's why I posed the question.
50 megs doesn't seem like much video to me. |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| reply to TheWickerMan
Well you trim commercials...then cut the intro and outro....and you're looking at 18 minutes or less worth of actual show, with degraded quality and size to save space....
As for the films, it says right there the harry potter is file 1of2....
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Palpatine for Senate |
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BrianDamage
We Are The Hounds From Hell
Premium
join:2001-08-14
Rowlett, TX
clubs:
edited
| Even so, at 259 mb, is it large enough to be even half of the movie?
I ask because even though I have voiced my opinions in this argument quite often, I am not an avid or even regular downloader of movies and such. As a matter of fact, the only movie I have EVER downloaded was an indie film put out in DivX, and it was only like 20 minutes long.
Just the occasional MP3 and not much else.
[text was edited by author 2002-07-11 10:51:30] |
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Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02
Host:
Road Runner
PC gaming GAMES
PC gaming Tech
| Yeah...that would clock the total film in at around 600-700 megs once you merged the file, and that's about right.
With the TV shows, like I said, they edit the commercials and use garbage size and resolution to get those small footprints.
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Palpatine for Senate |
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BrianDamage
We Are The Hounds From Hell
Premium
join:2001-08-14
Rowlett, TX
clubs:
| In that case, I have another thought.
I can understand Hollywood's frustration then in seeing first run movies essentially bootlegged via the internet prior to VHS od DVD release.
However, once a title makes it to that stage, then dissemination over the internet is no different than renting a copy of it at Blockbuster and then making a copy of it.
To do so is perfectly within a consumer's right, as far as I can tell, provided that the consumer who copies it only does so for personal use and does not offer it for resale.
Having said that, making a title available via one's computer over a P2P network like Gnutella for free does not violate any resale clauses, or even the basic definition of copyright infringement, which requires resale without compensation to the owners of the intellectual property, and without their consent.
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The only human truth is that we live and we die. Everything in between those events is open to interpretation. |
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NGOwner
join:2000-11-21
Leawood, KS
 ·LINGO
| said by BrianDamage:
However, once a title makes it to that stage, then dissemination over the internet is no different than renting a copy of it at Blockbuster and then making a copy of it.
To do so is perfectly within a consumer's right, as far as I can tell, provided that the consumer who copies it only does so for personal use and does not offer it for resale.
Totally, completely, utterly wrong. You are not legally permitted to do what you suggest. Do you even read the FBI warning at the beginning of the movie? You may view the rented movie. That's it.
Another thing, the MPAA isn't going after someone who downloaded these files. They are going after someone who made these files AVAILABLE for download.
In essence, they aren't going after the drug users, they are going after the drug DEALERS.
[NG]Owner
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It is impossible to create an idiot-proof product. Humanity is simply too adept at churning out better idiots. |
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Optimum1
Hey Macleod, Get Offa My Ewe
Premium
join:2001-08-22
Minneapolis, MN
clubs: | reply to cookem
Uh, those are full South Park episodes -- you should do more learning, and less flaming... |
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Mrhowes
join:2000-11-16
Saint Paul, MN
| reply to BrianDamage
To reproduce, redistribute, or set for public exhibition, in whole or in part, is illegal, per the FBI warning on every VHS tape and DVD/laserdisc. So to place even a small portion of a movie on the net for public distribution and/or viewing is against the law. Period.
FBI warning: federal law provides severe civil criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction or exhibition of
copyrighted motion pictures and video tape ( title 17, united states code, section 501 and 506 ). the federal bureau of investigation investigates allegations of criminal copyright infringement ( title 17, united states code, section 506 ).
unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
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Listen....do you smell something? |
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Ericthorn
It only hurts when I laugh
Premium
join:2001-08-10
Paragould, AR
clubs:
| reply to BrianDamage
First off, the file sizes are all fine. The Simpsons and SP are full episodes (minus filler) and the movies are just that.. 1 of 2 or 2 of 2, not full movies by themselves, but if you get the 1of2 and the 2of2 you can merge them or just watch them separately. Size in video all depends on how it was encoded, what compression, and to what format. Any of you thinking otherwise don't know much, so STFU.
I agree that it's like free advertising. I wanted to see K-Pax when it came out. A friend had already gotten a screener of it, so I got a copy and watched it and what a piece of garbage movie IMO. Thank GOD I didn't shell out 9$ for that crap. I'll wait for the video if I really want to suffer through the whole thing. However, when I saw the screener of Blackhawk Down, I was at the theater THAT NIGHT watching the movie. Has anyone at the MPAA ever watched a screener? The quality is usually crap trying to watch it full screen on a 19" monitor, worse on a TV. Only Divx rips of released DVD's (or Academy screeners *snicker*) are really clean, and the file sizes (500-800mb) make it prohibitive for all but broadband users to get. Maybe a small majority of people aren't going to some movies because they know it's crap, like myself and K-Pax. They didn't get my 9$ because I saw it on my PC first. But some people ARE going to movies because they saw it on their PC, and what is that compared to seeing it on the big screen with THX surround? As far as TV/Cable episodes go, once they've been aired, who gives a hoot? I don't have cable, so I don't get to see The Osbournes or South Park or any # of good shows on cable.. I'm just not gonna shell out 40-50$ a month to see them. That's ridiculous. Network TV is free and I tape whatever I want. But I should pay to have access to Comedy Central? I don't feel a bit bad when I download an episode of something that's already been shown on TV. I could call my bro and say "Hey dude, tape SP for me tonight", or I can wait a day or two and download it. Where's the loss of revenue to anyone? Because I didn't see the commercials that I never pay attention to anyway? Because I'm not shelling out money to Charter for something that should be free? There is legislation being introduced regarding copyright law and the DMCA. Let's all keep our fingers crossed.
So far, they're only targeting heavy users sharing many files, or people acting as SuperNode's in some cases. The average trader will never be bothered by it. And for you heavy traders... I strongly suggest IRC. Get off that crap Gnutella/KazAa/Grokster (although I do like Grokster). It's a bit more difficult to use, and you have to wait a bit longer, but you won't be getting any letters from anyone regardless how much you leech or serve up. Going after individual traders is only going to piss off the community in general. Like the RIAA/labels spoofing music files to derail mp3 downloading. I foresee massive DDOS attacks on MPAA/movie studio websites (can't wait for the article  )
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All I wanted was a Pepsi |
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gogeta6
join:2002-06-20
San Diego, CA
clubs:
| reply to Optimum1
You think 250 MB is too small for a movies?
SMR is navi and though not that high quality that is avg size.
and with new DIVX 5 or new real media compressions 50 MB is plenty for a tv show especially a cartoon where compression can be greater. |
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randysavage0
join:2002-04-16
Fayetteville, AR | reply to Mrhowes
not if you already bought a copy and it got ate so you are copying the rental.... |
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NGOwner
join:2000-11-21
Leawood, KS
·LINGO
| said by randysavage:
not if you already bought a copy and it got ate so you are copying the rental....
Sorry, but even that is technically not permitted.
You are permitted to make a copy of what you already own, and theoretically make a copy of your copy if your original has been destroyed, so you have one backup on hands at all times.
But, if you neglected to make a copy before your original was destroyed, you are SOL.
[NG]Owner
--
It is impossible to create an idiot-proof product. Humanity is simply too adept at churning out better idiots. |
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marigolds
Gainfully employed, finally
Premium,MVM
join:2002-05-13
Saint Louis, MO
| reply to NGOwner
said by NGOwner:
Another thing, the MPAA isn't going after someone who downloaded these files. They are going after someone who made these files AVAILABLE for download.
In essence, they aren't going after the drug users, they are going after the drug DEALERS.
[NG]Owner
Even though the wrong letter is posted, reread the article... that is what the dramatic shift has been, they are now going after people who download not just the people who offer downloads.
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