A reminder about filesharing sites

[Tripitaka]

We can all point our fingers at government agencies and blame them, but everyone who downloads movies and music that they haven't paid for and then decide they're not going to pay for it even if they like it are the ones to blame.

I'll admit to using file sharing services and they have a legitimate use.  I've downloaded CD albums to replace my scratched disks

Under US law downloading CD albums to replace your scratched disks is illegal. Owning a licensed disk does not give you the right to download an unlicensed copy from another source even though you can copy the licensed disk for your own personal use.

I know that's ludicrous, but that's the law. So Darrin, you just admitted to being a music pirate on a public forum. Welcome to the NWO, sucks doesn't it.

[Tripitaka]

Without piracy, ****ty music wouldn't spread as much

i gave up on replacing destroyed cd's with downloaded versions. Nowadays i try to find indie music or i'll just listen to the song on youtube (until they shut that down too).

Like xdelusion there I oppose patents and copyrights on a moral basis, though from the basis of being a communist, whereas he opposes them from the basis of spirituality.
Common ground and common sense.

I salute you both. Sadly the reality is (as haywirepc has mentioned) that the record companies make all the cash, not the artists. I only pay artists directly. It's not too difficult for me as the bands I like all have websites that I can buy directly from.... ..for now.

One of the complaints about SOPA and PIPA was that the extra cost of maintaining a website so that is doesn't breach the proposed regulations is that it would make direct sale products more expensive (even amazon complained on these grounds). Not so surprising that the big record companies backed it then, they don't like direct sales by artists one little bit. Your supposed to like what they say you like and buy what they say to buy, behave like a good little consumer unit. It all makes me sick, some people have a great deal of animosity for the pirates but the biggest thieves around are running governments and banks. let's not forget that.

[Tripitaka]

Many of them didn't decide to be poor, the super-rich did. Blame where blame is due!

Well put. People who steal do it for one of three reasons only:

1: Kleptomania - these people are mentally ill by definition.

2: Poverty, and in a society that continually uses the most advanced subliminal messaging it can in order to make them desire material things the poor could argue that they are brainwashed into the criminal act.

3: Greed - The very thing that drives politicians and bankers to rob us all through the expenses system, financial manipulation and even worse methods. Greed is arguably the biggest problem of them all as it's the one that creates the poverty.

[Tripitaka]

Cd's were supposed to be impossible for consumers to copy. Cheap cd burners and the mp3 shattered all control the industry had

At about £30,000 in the UK for a burner and software when CD's were new it was impossible for consumers to copy. It didn't take long for the prices to drop however. DVD was even quicker and tools like smart ripper even removed the Macrovision (after a certain person on this site, who shall remain nameless told them how to find it)....

..ahh, that brings back some memories.

[Tripitaka]

However, it hasn't been ratified as of yet. So, it may not be too late yet. While petitions hardly ever work, there's one to sign: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/eu_save_the_internet_spread/

Here are useful links if you want to make a real difference:
https://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/How_to_act_against_ACTA
http://www.edri.org/stopacta#do
http://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/2011/acta:-signed,-not-yet-sealed-now-its-up-to-us

US citizens can also sign this petition: https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/please-submit-acta-senate-ratification-required-constitution-trade-agreements/VgZJGZMt

Thanks Piru, signed.

[Tripitaka]

Ukraine shuts down leading file-sharing site:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/1/ukraine-shuts-down-leading-file-sharing-site/

...The long arm of Microsoft law.

[Tripitaka]

The reason is POVERTY. Subliminal advertising just ups the pressure that people feel to compete with those that have. It's not a reason in it's own right but it is a factor, an added emotional push in the wrong direction.