Internet censorship
Discussion
While I can not condone the content of ThePiratebay.com I feel uneasy about the precedent being set here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15598438
Surely, shut down the site if it is illegal not censor it. What is next, reduced content google and no facebook?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15598438
Surely, shut down the site if it is illegal not censor it. What is next, reduced content google and no facebook?
Several factors concern me. Firstly, it's worrying that a 'group' can 'demand' that a website be blocked, and that that gets taken seriously; a court order should be required if BT are to be 'forced' to take action.
Secondly, it seems that these groups simply haven't understood how things work. It can and will block legitimate content. Torrent sites - whilst sharing copyrighted material - also have legal, copyright-free files shared on them.
Third; anyone with any savvy isn't going to be halted by this 'block' for more than about 30 seconds. For every torrent site that gets shut down, ten more appear. They won't ever shut down torrents.
What needs to happen is for the music industry to realise that the 'old days' are gone; no longer will people pay £10-15 for a CD, far less will they pay £10 for a digital download of that same album when there are zero manufacturing costs (eg. disc, case, inlay printing, photography, shipping, profit for retailers etc). I think it's also caused a lot of musicians to realise that they can't produce an album with 3 good songs on it and 10 'fillers' as people will only download the tracks they like.
The bottom line is that the world has moved on and the film and music industry are desperately trying to hold back the water that is already swirling past them at an ever-increasing rate.
Here's the kicker for me... I bought a film a while back that had non-skippable adverts on it at the beginning, followed by an accusatory anti-piracy message (again, non-skippable). I'VE BOUGHT THE f
kING THING, WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT "...you wouldn't steal a car.."?
Notwithstanding the whole argument that to draw parallels between car theft and downloading an album is somewhat pathetic.
Until the film and music industries make films and music as easy and appealing to download legally as they are from torrent sites at the moment, the situation won't ever change.
Secondly, it seems that these groups simply haven't understood how things work. It can and will block legitimate content. Torrent sites - whilst sharing copyrighted material - also have legal, copyright-free files shared on them.
Third; anyone with any savvy isn't going to be halted by this 'block' for more than about 30 seconds. For every torrent site that gets shut down, ten more appear. They won't ever shut down torrents.
What needs to happen is for the music industry to realise that the 'old days' are gone; no longer will people pay £10-15 for a CD, far less will they pay £10 for a digital download of that same album when there are zero manufacturing costs (eg. disc, case, inlay printing, photography, shipping, profit for retailers etc). I think it's also caused a lot of musicians to realise that they can't produce an album with 3 good songs on it and 10 'fillers' as people will only download the tracks they like.
The bottom line is that the world has moved on and the film and music industry are desperately trying to hold back the water that is already swirling past them at an ever-increasing rate.
Here's the kicker for me... I bought a film a while back that had non-skippable adverts on it at the beginning, followed by an accusatory anti-piracy message (again, non-skippable). I'VE BOUGHT THE f
kING THING, WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT "...you wouldn't steal a car.."?Notwithstanding the whole argument that to draw parallels between car theft and downloading an album is somewhat pathetic.
Until the film and music industries make films and music as easy and appealing to download legally as they are from torrent sites at the moment, the situation won't ever change.
Funk said:
Stuff
Totally agree with all of this. The media industry needs to stop treating legitimate buyers like thieves with patronising messages and as has been said, make it easy for the customer to get the content they want how they want.I go to torrent sites for TV shows which are not available in the UK for weeks/months after the US (even though I am entitled to the channels which will show it) as it is almost impossible to not find out what happens in a series as the internet is a global entity and people talk about these things. Maybe if content was broadcast simultaneously or at least less than a week apart then I'd watch it on UK TV. I believe films need to do the same and have more global releases.
This annoys me,they go on about piracy being theft, no someone has bought the bloody thing in the first place, its no different from making a copy for your mate, except it is making a copy for thousands of people, who might like the product and buy it.
Adobe have the right attitude, they know how expensive their product is so they aren't bothered about piracy unless you try to sell it. They know that a student might use a pirated version of the product and go on to buy it, or a business owner might try it, like it and purchase the whole £5000 package.
Adobe have the right attitude, they know how expensive their product is so they aren't bothered about piracy unless you try to sell it. They know that a student might use a pirated version of the product and go on to buy it, or a business owner might try it, like it and purchase the whole £5000 package.
Funk said:
What needs to happen is for the music industry to realise that the 'old days' are gone; no longer will people pay £10-15 for a CD, far less will they pay £10 for a digital download of that same album when there are zero manufacturing costs (eg. disc, case, inlay printing, photography, shipping, profit for retailers etc).
I agree with everything you say, excluding the above. The one factor overlooked are the costs involved in putting the album together in the 1st place. Hire of a studio for months, a producer, engineer and gofer. At the top end, you're looking at millions in costs.Funk said:
Here's the kicker for me... I bought a film a while back that had non-skippable adverts on it at the beginning, followed by an accusatory anti-piracy message (again, non-skippable). I'VE BOUGHT THE fkING THING, WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT
This grips my skING THING, WHY ARE YOU TELLING ME THATt too, nonesense and an example of how head-in-the-sand and patronising the media giants are.Kinky said:
Funk said:
What needs to happen is for the music industry to realise that the 'old days' are gone; no longer will people pay £10-15 for a CD, far less will they pay £10 for a digital download of that same album when there are zero manufacturing costs (eg. disc, case, inlay printing, photography, shipping, profit for retailers etc).
I agree with everything you say, excluding the above. The one factor overlooked are the costs involved in putting the album together in the 1st place. Hire of a studio for months, a producer, engineer and gofer. At the top end, you're looking at millions in costs.It is very worrying from my pirating point of view. It sounds like it could be a very real possibility. BT were forced to block newzbin so the precedent has alrady been said.
Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
Kinky said:
I agree with everything you say, excluding the above. The one factor overlooked are the costs involved in putting the album together in the 1st place. Hire of a studio for months, a producer, engineer and gofer. At the top end, you're looking at millions in costs.
That's why when I said 'manufacturing' I was clear to show that it was the physical production and distribution of a disc I was referring to, not the creation of the music.. To charge the same for a download as for a CD is taking the piss a little, as the costs are hugely lower with digital distribution.monkey gland said:
It is very worrying from my pirating point of view. It sounds like it could be a very real possibility. BT were forced to block newzbin so the precedent has alrady been said.
Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
works fine for me, registered an account ok....Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
monkey gland said:
It is very worrying from my pirating point of view. It sounds like it could be a very real possibility. BT were forced to block newzbin so the precedent has alrady been said.
Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
Yup, works for me. No idea whether they block deeper links, but the homepage works fine.Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
monkey gland said:
It is very worrying from my pirating point of view. It sounds like it could be a very real possibility. BT were forced to block newzbin so the precedent has alrady been said.
Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
Yes, I can.Can someone who has BT internet go to http://www.newzbin.com/ and see if it lets you access it?
ETA: Duh - too slow
vescaegg said:
It's quite worrying. O2 (on mobile devices) have now started making people confirm they are over 18 to allow them to go on 'adult' websites by putting a credit card nimber! Last time I checked, jalopnik was not in that genre! Perhaps their filter is broken.....
I do hope that wasn't just a scam popup trying it on?BTW I also agree they are attacking the wrong target, I suspect because it's easier. They should be concentrating on the wrongdoer, not the guy delivering the message - if someone sends me offensive letters, is the the Post Office that should be held liable to filter them out or should the author be prosecuted. The net makes it more difficult because some of these sites could be located where law enforcement doesn't care - but I suspect the uploaders will be in countries that do care.
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