Stop SOPA and PIPA

#41 @Thomas

I can't completly agree with you on that.
Sure, at least for the most part, those who currently pirate would not spend money on it even if they couldn't get it without paying or could not afford to buy it even if they wanted to - and in those cases you can argue there is no actual loss.

However, if piracy stops beeing criminalized altogether, How many that currently buy wouldn't just say,(specially in todays economic status) "why spend money when i can just download it?". Would be free and legal. Now you see the loss?

I have talked to a lot of people on the subject of piracy on the internet and the idea i got is that the thuth is, when push comes to shove, they would download illegal content, if they weren't affraid to get caught. Fear is a strong motivator.

See how piracy can leed to loss now?

Finding a balance between preventing people from doing something that causes prejudice to others and not taking any liberties from them is a hard thing to achieve, wich is why people need to pay attention when this kinds of bills come up.

#42 I do agree with Thomas.

If modern human technology grants easy access without intermediaries to content, then there is a problem when you try to enforce a model that does the opposite.

The issue does not lies in the legality, thats another big lie. Copying digital information neither fits the definition of stealing, thats a falacy pushed again and again to link two things that are unlinked. You have many recent examples of this intended deceptive behaviour in the recent years of USA politics.

If we start considering new models that lower astronomically the costs, by having a direct relation between customers and producers, you'll see really diferent results. It works, and you have plenty of examples of it.

A few giant and arcaic minded corporations who based its power on being intermediaries are afraid, and ready to use all their money to criminalize something that actually gives people freedom.

Start thinking out of the box!

#43 @Thomas - I directly quoted you stating that piracy is not a threat. I was not specifically talking about the loss of money. I have seen various quotes about why piracy is a problem for the industry, not all of it has to do with not making money off a person who stole (pirated) software instead of legitimately purchasing it. There is a threat and I think Luis nailed it. What's most frightening to companies is a precedent being set.

Again, I was focusing on the word opinion. It can be backed up either way. Do you see how we can argue this day and night? Why not look for a solution?

#44

Quote:Start thinking out of the box!

EXACTLY! There are amazing examples of publishers and developers using non-traditional methods of making money and they are prospering. Will every company adopt the practices? No. It would be naive to think that. What is more effective is supporting the companies that are making an attempt.

#45 Haha, the whole jargon is really laughable.

"Digitally copying information without consulting its author"... maybe?

Oh, but thats not what houndreds of millions are doing around the world. People using a techonoly that by design allows to share, is commiting: "piracy", "steal", "thievery", "criminality".

Oh, and btw, it's that anyway, because the US say so, even on countries where it is NOT ilegal. LOL. Really, to share information is an incredible bad thing isnt?

#46

Quote:EXACTLY! There are amazing examples of publishers and developers using non-traditional methods of making money and they are prospering. Will every company adopt the practices? No. It would be naive to think that. What is more effective is supporting the companies that are making an attempt.

Agree 100%.

Also Agree with Michael when he speaks of adding value to the information/content, that may encourage people to buy it.

Edit - Actually, I would like to comment on Mich's example: I think Torque is a very good case of added value. As he put it, Torque has no DRM (thank godness).

But here is the thing: unauthorized copies can only HELP GarageGames.

It creates a bigger array of people distributing the engine, something not easily achieved. This people will help with free publicity. And from this group, some will get interested on the engine and eventually buy it.

Why buy it? It does provide some unique things. Access to the community. A real posibility to publish a game. Voice on the debates around the framework. Support on the vast array of addons... All immaterial, inmesurable and priceless added values.

#47

Quote:Copying digital information neither fits the definition of stealing, thats a falacy

But there's no other word that would both fit the idea of getting something that other's own and would generally be understood by the general populace.

Everybody know what stealing is and knows it's wrong to do it. If you create some other legal jargon for what is known as IP theft it would take some time for people to get used to the word and understand it's meaning and implience.

This time frame would be even larger for people with lower education levels/living far from major populated areas/living in lower tech areas.

Using a well known word reduces the learning curve down to - dowloading is also theft

#48 So essentially, we agree, thats simply a whim.

The whim of not wanting to consider the issue in depth, in fear that others may disagree with you. So making the concient choice of calling it like that, to criminalize without debate.

#49 whim is too strong a word

rather not wanting to need to re-educate the general populace regarding a new type of crime - so just call it a word already strongly linked to crime in the people's minds and that still somewhat fits the bill

What would you rather call IP theft instead of theft? what would fit the part in your opinion?

#50 Criminal is a strong word.

Maybe they should re-educate themselves regarding a new type of model. Regarding the new times technology. Regarding hearing what people is doing with that technolgy.

So, until we all agree on the basics of what it means, just call it for what it is: a person sharing digital bits.

Later on, we can see if its ok to criminalize that, meaning half the world population, to protect Disney.

#51 Well I am a criminal. I have pirated software on my computer. This software allows me to play a game.I use this software because it works without being monitored by companies or allowing them access to my machine in any way. The easiest of these to explain is the games. I have games that are older and no longer work from the proper install disk that I purchased yet cracked versions install and run flawlessly. Other games or software expects you to either run it while constantly online/logged-in or their EULA allows for prying eyes into my machine. Then there is the DRM system that only allows for a certain # of installs. I tend to format my drives fairly often and do fresh installs. So getting a cracked version of this software allows me to keep using the software I have paid for.

Yet no matter the reasons I have the cracked software it is considered illegal and wrong. I think all companies need to think about how they try to protect their software and stop hurting those that are using it legally.
those that are stealing to steal are always going to find a way to do so. Stop hurting your actual customers.

There has to be a better way to protect what you have without hurting your customers.

#52 @Novack: Criminalize is a strong word - but you didn't give me any word that fits better - and that's my point. Calling it a crime is the best way to make people understand it's wrong to do it.

Also, the original idea is not to criminalize the sharing of information, but the sharing of information that is not yours to share and it's owner do not want it shared.

Problem is, any way you can use to share information legally, can also be used to share ilegally. It's a double edged sword with no clear solution in sight. So each side ends up taking radical positions, with the major studios lobbing for complete iradication of such venues of piracy and the consumers not wanting any more liberties taken away

Greg touched on some very interesting points - like the right legit customers should have to keep backup copies.

Although, as Michael pointed out, still no one giving any options.

That's how hard it is to meet a compromise between safeguarding IP and not taking away any legitt customer's rights. Any step in either directions seems to hurt the other side.