Pirate Bay

[BilluSugger]

I understand the copyright issues & the illegality of file sharing sites such as Pirate Bay, but what 'immense harm' have they done? Are we getting less movies,music, TV programmes because of torrent sites or Limewire type file sharing ? What really is the problem?

[Ethel]

People are owning something they have not paid for. If they bought the film/music/game legitimately then the copyright owners would get paid.
If everyone downloaded material illegally, then only one legitimate copy need be purchased and we could all copy that.
Films need a lot of backers - they cost millions to make. If people and companies aren't getting the profits they expect it won't be worth their while.
You might think it okay to 'share'. I abhor theft and believe if you can't or won't pay for it, don't have just help yourself.

[jason.p]

Whatever you think of the morals of file sharing, the fact of the matter is that the technology is out there and will not go away, as you close one down many more will pop up. Somehow the affected industries will have to come to terms with it.

[Buenchico]

So, inciting, aiding and abetting the theft of fourteen million dollars worth of other people's property doesn't count as particularly serious to you, BilluSugger?

[BilluSugger]

They cope with it by charging insane prices for new cds & dvds

[daffy654]

Yes they do charge higher prices for CD's etc.and it is the honest people who have to bear the price rises while the dishonest sit back and claim that downloading illegally is ok.

[Booldawg]

Its not theft if its legal. The price of a CD fifteen years ago is much less than it is today. The gravy train has run out for the film and music industry. Viva la internet!

[newtron]

I agree with jason-p and Booldawg. As fast as the industry tries to find ways of stopping people from downloading media from the internet, there are millions of computer geeks out there inventing new ways of sharing files. It's a losing battle! The entertainment industry is going to have to adapt and find new clever approaches of selling their products, and accept a pay cut. That's life!

[newtron]

Some musicians are actually starting to figure this out. I believe that Radio Head gave their latest album away for free on the internet and just asked for donations. They'll have to rely on their live shows to make the big money.

[vulcan]

What is it about CD's/DVD's that people think they have an automatic right to download for nothing ?
these same people buy houses,cars,groceries etc which,until recently were overpriced,the usual justification for downloading.
now housing,food and car industries are collapsing because of greed.The problem with this same greedy attitude of downloaders is the film/recording industries will also collapse.
who the hell will make films if there is insufficient profits/funds to make them ?
what will you download then ?

[Leggendisgod]

Power to the people.


They cant stop drug distribution in prisons do you really think they can stop downloading worldwide on the net?

If you believe they can then i suspect you are greatly mistaken

[Mr-Marvel]

i need to see a doctor, i agree with leg.

[vulcan]

I don't believe they can stop illegal downloading and therein lies the problem.

[daffy654]

They can't stop illegal downloading(they being the music industry),but those that do the downloading could if they weren't all such thieving gits!
You can try and justify it all you like but it is theft and is illegal.

[jason.p]

I think this is part of a bigger social problem. People see themselves as being "ripped off" by some large organisations (power, fuel, entertainment etc), and find it easier to square things with their conscience.
coupled with the behaviour of some of our former role models and authority figures (police, government and to some extent the church), is eroding the public sense of morality.

[:pagan:]

Its Copyright Infringement not theft and its a Civil not a Criminal crime.

[newtron]

I just think that the market has changed with the existence of the internet. Information is just not worth that much any more since it can be exchanged so easily and quickly on the internet.

[newtron]

http://www.publicknowledge.org/node/2086

[Buenchico]

For Pagan:
Laws differ throughout the world.

In the UK, simply downloading a copyright file (without the necessary permission or payment) is, as you state, normally only a civil matter. However programs like Limewire work on the basis that users will make files available for upload. Doing so is a criminal offence.

Further, downloading can be a criminal offence (even if no files are offered for upload) if it's done for commercial gain or to the serious detriment of copyright holders (which effectively means 'on a large scale').

Chris

[casson57]

Well the founders of TPB has been arrested already BUT the site is still running. Pirate Bay is even block from several countries BUT they can still access it with the use of proxy sites. Proxy sites such as: http://howtoaccesspiratebay.in/