skept

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That was recents said by Jackie Chan here.

Now my discussion is quite simple - is online piracy really that bad?

There are two sides to every debate (or so it is said) and these are my takes on it.

Piracy is a good thing - the reason that legit software is so cheap in Asia is simply because the legit companies must compete with piracy. Therefore piracy delivers a means where by the consumer obtains better prices for otherwise highly over priced DVD's or music cd's.

Piracy is a bad thing - the main arguement that it is bad is that we are stealing from actors or recording artists - I'm sure you have all heard this before so we got to cop the prices sweetly and live with it.

Now here is my take on it...

Piracy is a good thing and a bad thing. Sure its stealing - but in my mind its 'stealing'. Who in their right mind would pay $30 for a CD when the band only gets a small fraction of it? In my mind the prices of CD should be the bands income + costs of production. If I remember right the band will only see a dollar or two of that $30 which is shocking. Like if CD's were $10 which is very realistic and infact the recording company will get still a large profit the CD would be more affordable and I see many more people would buy it.

As with DVD's. Like I know the millions of dollars poured into movies to pay the actors etc. but seriously its just getting stupid to pay 30 odd dollars for a DVD. They are in fact driving the market to piracy rather then encouraging consumers to buy.

What are your takes on this issue?

Phobos

I think piracy is a good thing, bands make their money touring, not selling cd's...yeah they might not reach multi-platinum status because of piracy...that just means they need to redefine that sorta classification...and movies make their money at the box office...quit payin the damn actors so much and they will make more of a profit...20 mill for an actor on a movie is outrageous...

VIVIX

This may not have anything to do with the piracy in Asia but it is in effect here with music downloads being considered 'piracy.' My take on it is that chances are I'm not going to buy an entire CD just for one song that I'm going to listen to for less than a week, so when I download one song off the internet, the music industry isn't loosing money, because I wouldn't have bought the CD anyways. If that makes sense.

On the Asia point: It would seem that they have created a viscious circle that could have been caused by either side. The movie companies have over priced movies "because of the piracy" but piracy is growing "because of the high prices." Get my drift, a poor attempt at simple economics, but it's my take on the situation. It can't cost more than $10 to make a DVD, but when they charge $30 for it, that's just wrong.

I sure the hell am not going to pay $30 for a DVD.

Car Enthusiast

i haven't even wanted to download a movie in a while with the lack of quality in movies there has seemed to be. I go to blockbuster and walk out without anything in my hands cause nothing looks good. The music industry and hollywood has done this to theirselves by overcharging for goods, but the problem is, with all of this "rampant piracy I don't see the recording industry or hollywood going bankrupt. When you see cribs or the fabulous life of whatever star those cries of piracy falls on deaf ears. Ever wonder why the RIAA is going after consumers and downloading sites instead of the companies who produce burning programs and other piracy facilitating companies?

stealhead

Good point, it is very hard to feel bad for someone who owns 20 cars

Gevaudan

I know for a fact the physical cost for a company to make a DVD or CD is about $2, that is for materials I mean, factor in the cost to pay employees who make the menus and special features and design the artwork and it costs roughly $4 per DVD and $3 per CD. So when they turn around and charge $20 for a CD and $30 for a DVD they are simply being greedy. Expecially since ALL the actors and directors and frankly everyone who actually made the movie don't get a cent from a DVD they already got paid for the theatrical release, and with CDs the band gets like $1 maybe $2 from the CD sale.

Piracy has already helped the industry price-wise, I remember shortly before piracy of CDs became a huge issue all CDs were nearing the $30 range now a very large number of them are down to $15 or slightly above that.

pharoah4187

I am going to have to agree with the (seeming) consent. Although piracy is stealing, I am sure as hell not going to feel bad about it. Downloading movies only keeps the money out of hollywood's hands (and more than half the time I regret even wasting the time to download the movie, let alone actually buy the DVD. How many times can you recycle the same story?). With CDs, I can turn on the radio and hear a single for free. I can call and request this song. I don't have to pay for anything to hear this music for free, so why should I have to buy a CD on which all the other songs are just trash?

I leave you with this (language NSFW)

http://www.undergroundfilm.org/film...lar&wid=1017942

jackdaripper

Well Quite simply in China it is because of the (Facest governments views) They Squash anything everything they don't like.


No.. Piracy has always lead to better things.. No matter what the hype the RIAA MPAA want you to belive it is not true.. They Have actuly made more money because of Piracy then they ever would have without it.



This is the basic principle of Supply and demand.. The issue these MEDIA companies have is they fail to realize that people have instant access nowdays to finding out if a movie/song/game etc.. Sucks or not. Not like back 5-10 years ago when the WORD of mouth took some time to get out.




The only time piracy = bad is when it does not promote CHANGE in the system. Just take a close look at prohibition


Stealing... No not really.. It is all in how you interpret the LAW, If you use a STRICT interpretation of current law.. Then Sharing files of any type online is not a Copyright violation.. If (And this is the 2 edged sword) You take it with a all incompasing view anything someone shares (From news clippings to a small gif etc..) is a crime..

In conclusion.. It is all about a Flawed buessness modle (Media companies) trying to desperatly hold onto what they have despite the blatent evedance they are going to loose the battle in the long run.. No matter what they try to do.

It also should be said that on both sides of the fence there is misinformation..So if you realy are interested in this you should do some research. I would post some links.. to good sites but i am not sure if i am allowed.


just my 2 cents worth..

Edit.. On a side note.. Piracy has not hurt the media companies as much as there lack of quality productions.. They are used to the old modle of people paying for a entire cd just to be able to listen to one song.. Or find out if they like the movie. etc.. Those days are Quickly fadeing.

DubLivitz

:rock: