The closest you can come to making sure that a portable music player only has legal music on it, is making sure that each song has a digital signature matching that of the player. That would require an online service tied with your music player and it wouldn't allow you to rip your own CDs onto it. I doubt something like that would gain any traction.

Virtually all, if not all, things I have downloaded were either old (1950s films, etc.) or the type I wouldn't pay for. And I'm serious when I say I wouldn't pay for it. Think I'd be willing to shelve money to support a film like Catwoman? Hell no... So it's not lost revenue on their part. I would simply never pay for it, ever. Ditto for music.



The rare instance where I have downloaded a film that's in theatres, that I think was wonderful, and that needed support, I have gone to the theatre and paid admission for it, since that would have been a film I would actually have paid to see. Finding Nemo is the one example that comes to mind; I downloaded it, fell in love with the film, went to the theatre to pay up as a thanks for Pixar. For The Incredibles, I immediately went to the theatres.


Foreign films are thougies; for the most part, since I have no clue where foreign film stores are, the net's the only way to find them. Case in point: Raise the Lantern. I guess one way to make up for that is to go and watch the next film by Zimou. At least that way you give back to him and support foreign films. If a foreign film plays at a theatre near me, I go watch it. I mean, you gotta support that industry.


Btw, downloading can have its advantages, in that it keeps you away from paying for BS. I will, for example, not pay for the next DW CGI. I'll check it out online, and if it is good, I might just watch it in theatres. Personally, I considered Shrek 2 an insult and a rip-off, so the way I see it, they owe me, not vice versa (I piad for Shrek 2, sadly).

I'm happy to say that 90% of the music on my iPod is legal. I either bought it (from the iTunes store), ripped it from tapes (in ONE case) or CDs, or it came from my own shelf...

It isn't illegal to download the files, though. Although we do know that they aren't legitamate files, downloading from someone else only makes you susceptible to their words. If their words are at fault (let's say. they don't warn you that it isn't legal or they claim it IS legal), you can't REALLY be held responsible. Sharing, in any form, is illegal.

I see rationality in the reasons most argue for. However, the RIAA and MPAA are waaay too corrupt (with the rating systems, etc) that I honestly don't care. I download the ocassional movie (I've watched four, I think) but I usually end up buying the movie anyways or seeing it in theatres. I make my contribution for the sake of my conscience because I know it's wrong, but I also know that I'm impatient and CAN'T wait.

If you look on the vcdquality.com forums, there's one guy who downloaded an indie (L.A. Twister), raved about it, and then his review was featured ON the main page. Later, the director joined the forum (moderators checked the actual e-mail address) and complimented the fact that people were finding a way to see his movie, even if illegal. In fact, he posted the movie online because of it (password needed that requires knowledge of the film. I dunno what it is, but I don't plan to watch it until DVD anyways ) and the whole website is getting a link (and a DVD feature about piracy) when the DVD is released.

I just find it hyprocritical that some of the posters find that downloading one venue of entertainment is wrong while the other isnt. Im talking about music and movies where people who download music find downloading movies wrong and vice versa. I would say its the industry that brought it upon themselves for not taking advantage of the internet technology years ago. Its why the record industry is losing alot of profit because 6 years ago, they never lowered the price of CDs even though i takes less than a dollar to manufacture them. Heck CDs are almost the same price as DVDs and DVDs offer more features. Its funny how the musicians who dont mind people downloading their music arent the big giant puppets like Garth Brooks or Metallica so I think greed is involved in alot of these bigger musicians. Heck do you guys remember when Garth Brooks tried to stop stores from selling second hand cds but got a big backlash against it. I feel the same way about the movie industry who hasnt taken advantage of the internet and offered viewings on your local tv by subscribing to them. As for downloading hurting movies, you do notice how crappy the quality of cam recorded movies are and they take days to download and then you could also have a chance to disconnect and lose your queue. You might as well just spend $7 on the theater itself.

The law you cited doesn't work. I've already told you that. Downloading does NOT equate to reproducing a file. You aren't inventing or creating a second time. You're simply receiving the already existing one.

If someone throws a xerox of sheet music at me, is it illegal for it to be in my possession? If I buy a bootleg, not knowing the rules and dvd "street" dates, am I at fault?

It's impossible to prosecute someone for DOWNLOADING a movie/album/song unless they are told that downloading such is illegal, ya know.

It does not take days if you have a good internet speed. If you have a lot of people seeding, it's usually within the day, and usually within a few hours, depending on the size of the file. And yes, the ones taken from theatres usually suck a lot. But, I still stand by my reasoning that I actually pay more now for movies than I did, say, three years ago, because when I see a good movie here, I go and pay the money for it. How that would hold up in court is a different matter, though.

I'm not a fan of downloading any media, and I personally will not do either.

If I'm not mistaken, full versions of DVDs (even before they are released) are available now on net, and I heard they look as good as store bought DVDs. I remember seeing a story that said the complete Shrek 2 DVD was leaked in all it's glory months before it's release on store shelves. So, it's not just your crappy hand-held camera footage that is being released.

There seems to be an alarming number of people that feel they are entitled to steal these forms of entertainment simply because the studios are "greedy". I think that's bullshit. Wal-Mart is greedy... does that entitile you to go steal from their store shelves?

As for DVDs, they are really reasonably priced. Most new releases you can find on sale when they are released for around $15-$18. And, there are TONS of great titles out there under $10. I just don't see the justification for stealing them.

I guess I'm just a purist. I have a massive CD and DVD collection and would never taint it with cheap knock-offs that I stole.

box .. if i may ask .. how was catwoman...

Trust me, no one will come to the defense of that Pitof-ul idiot.

Sharon Stone might. After all, he did give her SOME work...

Your post was the 50,000th post of this forum, by the way

Sharon Stone might. After all, he did give her SOME work...