Author Topic: Star Wars III online, all studio countermeasures futile, Lucas still rich (Read 567 times)

Gunslinger · « **on:** May 19, 2005, 07:14:25 PM »

My first post since I got back from South Carolina. Found this an interesting read from Binnews.com. Don't have much to say about it cept I'm checking out the sample. This seems like one of those movies that I have to see in the theater.

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There's a workprint of Star Wars Episode III on the Internet already. It's got some timecode and watermarks, but judging from the 19 second XVID sample that Waxy has posted, it seems like it's eminently watchable.
Workprints leak from studios. The studios are trying to lock down what customers do with DVDs and cable TV and PCs, but they can't even keep their own house in order. They've got laws that allow them to get your name from your ISP and to sue you into bankruptcy for file-sharing. They've got laws to criminalize the math to defeat DRM. They're after laws to let them design TVs and camcorders.

None of those laws, measures or policies will stop files like this from circulating on the Internet. Don't take my word for it, read what Microsoft's leading DRM engineers have to say about it.

But that's OK, because Star Wars III will make a metric crapload of money, no matter how many copies are downloaded from the Internet. Hell, the licensing deals alone have already recouped the cost of production, before the first ticket was sold.

The studios don't have a problem with downloading. There's plenty of downloading, but there's no problem. But even if there is a problem, none of the costly measures the studios have asked for will solve it.

Putting the shouting, petulant babies from the studios in charge of technology is plain nuts. They are too blinded by greed and hubris to be trusted.

Chairboy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2005, 07:17:05 PM »

Lemme see if I can translate that:

Downloading doesn't cost the studios any money, and if it did, it doesn't matter because they still break even, and that should be good enough for anyone except a capitalist pig dog.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2005, 07:19:26 PM »

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Originally posted by Chairboy
Lemme see if I can translate that:

Downloading doesn't cost the studios any money, and if it did, it doesn't matter because they still break even, and that should be good enough for anyone except a capitalist pig dog.

If that's the way you see it....

Me, if the product is good I will pay money for it.

EDIT:

But when these guys can't even manage their own houses do you really want THEM deciding what technology hits the market and what doesnt? To me that's like saying you want the US treasury to manage your check book.

Vulcan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2005, 07:22:56 PM »

No, the point is the studios want to control every aspect of how we access multimedia, they want to design what you will be using to watch movies and listen to music on because they say they know best. All this then they go and leak copies of unprotected media onto the net.

Kind of like having the petrol companies design engines for your car

Chairboy · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2005, 07:48:32 PM »

I think that the studios are doing ridiculous things to, as Vulcan said, try and control every aspect of the media. It's ridiculous, and I hope they fail. There was even a story recently in the press about a technology that would tie a DVD sale to a specific person so that nobody else could watch it. Preposterous that it got airplay, even more so that anyone wants to do it. If they want to make more money or avoid losing money, they should be looking for ways to STEER technology towards consumer friendly mechanisms to more efficiently part customers from their money for services gladly received. Instead, they keep trying to hit us over the head with craptacular restrictions and laws that suggest they believe everyone is a crook.

Look at what Apple did with iTunes and that business model. Beforehand, the music industry shouted 'Them internet users is THIEVERING us! This here interweb must be SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY or millions of musicians will lose their jobs and revert back to their criminal origins!' They tried to sue everyone into the stoneage. Then Apple opened iTunes. Very succesful, and it's created billions in extra revenue that wouldn't have existed otherwise. The studios are idiots for trying to fit 1990s solutions through a 200X shaped hole.

That said, the folks fighting back should pick better spokesman then those pushing the communist line that wanting to make money off your product equates with greed.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2005, 08:26:23 PM »

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Originally posted by Chairboy
I think that the studios are doing ridiculous things to, as Vulcan said, try and control every aspect of the media. It's ridiculous, and I hope they fail. There was even a story recently in the press about a technology that would tie a DVD sale to a specific person so that nobody else could watch it. Preposterous that it got airplay, even more so that anyone wants to do it. If they want to make more money or avoid losing money, they should be looking for ways to STEER technology towards consumer friendly mechanisms to more efficiently part customers from their money for services gladly received. Instead, they keep trying to hit us over the head with craptacular restrictions and laws that suggest they believe everyone is a crook.

Look at what Apple did with iTunes and that business model. Beforehand, the music industry shouted 'Them internet users is THIEVERING us! This here interweb must be SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY or millions of musicians will lose their jobs and revert back to their criminal origins!' They tried to sue everyone into the stoneage. Then Apple opened iTunes. Very succesful, and it's created billions in extra revenue that wouldn't have existed otherwise. The studios are idiots for trying to fit 1990s solutions through a 200X shaped hole.

That said, the folks fighting back should pick better spokesman then those pushing the communist line that wanting to make money off your product equates with greed.

exactamundo

the truth of the matter is that piracy (while fully recognized by me as being wrong and illegal) is not hurting them at all, they are doing better then ever. That said piracy is their main argument in their case.

Raider179 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2005, 08:28:28 PM »

Expect a wave of lawsuits against the Dowloaders to follow.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2005, 08:46:10 PM »

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Originally posted by Raider179
Expect a wave of lawsuits against the Dowloaders to follow.

depends on how you get it really. There was a rumor about a Torrent of SW3 floating around. It was however, posted on USENET today.

Nilsen · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2005, 05:29:14 AM »

Star Wars is one of those movies that needs a real cinema to be enjoyed. (not that I have seen it yet, waiting a few weeks until the nutts are done at the cinema and are back in their caves)

Not gonna dl it or even see it on DVD until I have seen it on the big screen first.

Eagler · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2005, 08:16:25 AM »

what kind of cheap arse nerd would watch a movie like star wars with numbers running across the top of the screen?

lol

Gunslinger · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2005, 09:11:44 AM »

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Originally posted by Eagler
what kind of cheap arse nerd would watch a movie like star wars with numbers running across the top of the screen?

lol

somone who didn't want to wait in line at a theater paying $10+ for a ticket $3.75+ for a soda $5.00 for some nachos all while sitting near some parents that can't keep control over their children and a fat guy sitting next to you.

Raider179 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2005, 08:00:32 PM »

Well not exactly a wave of lawsuits but they are still coming after em.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/25/AR2005052501467_pf.html

Federal agents shut down a Web site that they said allowed people to download the new Stars War movie even before it was shown in theaters.

The Elite Torrents site was engaging in high-tech piracy by letting people download copies of movies and other copyright material for free, authorities said.

The action was the first criminal enforcement against individuals who are using cutting-edge BitTorrent software to obtain pirated content online, Justice and Homeland Security Department officials said.

Elite Torrents had more than 133,000 members and offered 17,800 movies and software programs in the past four months, officials said. Among those titles was "Star Wars: Episode III _ Revenge of the Sith," which was available through Elite Torrents six hours before its first showing in theaters, the officials said.

The movie was downloaded more than 10,000 times in the first 24 hours.

Authorities served search warrants in 10 cities against computer users accused of being the first to offer copyright materials to other BitTorrent users on the Web site, Homeland Security's Customs and Immigration Enforcement agency said. The cities are: Austin, Texas; Erie, Pa.; Philadelphia; Wise, Va.; Clintonwood, Va.; Germantown, Wis.; Chicago; Berea, Ohio; Anthem, Ariz., and Leavenworth, Kan.

LePaul · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2005, 08:43:15 PM »

Heh, talk about a color that catches your attention!

elitetorrents.org

busted!

Gunslinger · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2005, 09:06:18 PM »

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six hours before its first showing in theaters, the

he he he....that's slow!

Raider179 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2005, 01:07:32 AM »

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Originally posted by Raider179
The action was the first criminal enforcement against individuals who are using cutting-edge BitTorrent software to obtain pirated content online, Justice and Homeland Security Department officials said.

Authorities served search warrants in 10 cities against computer users accused of being the first to offer copyright materials to other BitTorrent users on the Web site, Homeland Security's Customs and Immigration Enforcement agency said. The cities are: Austin, Texas; Erie, Pa.; Philadelphia; Wise, Va.; Clintonwood, Va.; Germantown, Wis.; Chicago; Berea, Ohio; Anthem, Ariz., and Leavenworth, Kan.

Don't know if anyone noticed the Organization who busted them??? Homeland security Department... WTF... We are wasting terrorist-fighting tax dollars on some shmucks wanting to see a crappy version of Star Wars?