Author Topic: MPAA Sues Grandfather For $600k (Read 354 times)

Gunslinger · « **on:** November 04, 2005, 10:41:42 AM »

http://techdirt.com/articles/20051102/1136257_F.shtml

Quote

Contributed by Mike on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005 @ 11:38AM
from the that's-a-problem dept.
Ever since the entertainment industry started on their brain-dead, own-foot-shooting campaign of suing their own customers, we've wondered how they can get away with suing people who obviously didn't do the crime, such as parents or grandparents. While the industry would have you believe that it's whoever owns the connection that's guilty, the law would certainly suggest otherwise. Earlier this year, we noted that some parents are finally fighting back and the courts seem sympathetic. However, the entertainment industry still hasn't gotten the message. They also still don't recognize the terrible PR they get with headlines about how they're suing a grandfather who doesn't even like movies for $600,000. In this case, the grandson was responsible -- even if he downloaded movies that he already owned on DVD (3 out of the 4). Also, the article, once again, claims that he's being sued for downloading -- but every lawsuit we've seen hasn't been for downloading, but for uploading by offering to share it -- something that some courts are even questioning as well by noting that just leaving a file open to be shared is not the same thing as actively distributing it. So, to review, we have someone who wasn't involved at all being sued by the movie industry for something he didn't do for possibly distributing some movies, when the evidence doesn't even support whether or not he really did share the movies.

and also http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9896986/

I'd be interested to see the marketing backlash as compared to legal costs and funds collected from piracy.

Sandman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2005, 10:52:05 AM »

Meanwhile, the motion picture industry continues its downward spiral.

****ing tards.

BluKitty · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2005, 02:23:09 PM »

Monopolistic strangle holds on "art" just don't work.... the very idea is stupid IMHO.

Until they realize that, they will continue to decline. The internet has forever changed distrabution as well. We are fast approaching a time where removable media, like CD/DVD/USB-keys etc, just don't make sense for casual applications- like music, or movies. The network is anywhere, anytime. Sure removable media will always have it's uses, but buying CD's is not something you will see the next generation doing.

But that doesn't change the attitude, here's a simple comparison. In sports ... like basketball for instance, you get scouts for the NBA, for the NCAA. Where are the scouts for the music industry? Oh wait, we have American Idol

They will go bankrupt if they don't face the facts.

Simaril · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2005, 04:07:18 PM »

I wonder how much of this crap is related to the copyright law requirement that you actively protect your copyright or its considered lapsed.

on second thought == Nah, this stuff comes from small minded accountant types who panic at the implications of paradigm shift.

nirvana · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2005, 04:35:42 PM »

The reason the entertainment is making movies that are as entertaining as getting bit by mosquitos is so people will stop downloading their movies. This also means no one will BUY them either. Of course it could mean people will download them to "check out" and never buy them anyway because they are so horrible. I dunno.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2005, 05:07:38 PM »

I do want to make one thing clear that I do not justify downloading copyrighted material. I know that it's wrong.

What I don't like is that these industries have archaic business models in there little foot holds. The markets are changing and istead of adapting and embracing that change through quality and inganuity (SP?) they want things to stay just as they are. Even going so far as to tell manufacturers how media is going to be presented and what kind of technology can be utilized thus stifling inovation.

Sandman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2005, 05:09:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
I do want to make one thing clear that I do not justify downloading copyrighted material. I know that it's wrong.

You do realize that Battlestar Galactica is also copyrighted?

Gunslinger · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2005, 05:38:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
You do realize that Battlestar Galactica is also copyrighted?

I NEVER said it was right. I feel terrible for "Pre-Tivoing" BSG season 1 from sky network. I made up for it by watching season 2 religiously. If I was trying to justify downloading it I would say it something to the effect of it was to get back at the scifi ch for cancling farscape.

Wolfala · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2005, 01:19:40 AM »

I'm too broke for cable right now - I leach off about 5 other apt's WIFI, and I wouldn't see BSG without it. The ends justify the means - I love BSG, but can't pay to see it for the time being.

Lazerus · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2005, 02:07:05 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
inganuity (SP?)

ingenuity

please bookmark this

not tryin to be an prettythang, but reading that just hurt me.

Lazerus · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2005, 02:15:26 AM »

and the entertainment industry is just feeding on it's own cancer. the attitude toward society and the required political stance is not being recieved very well by the ranks of middle america. if they would just stick to trying to provide entertainment they would fare much better. *trying* is a key word there.

this is true for the music industry as well as hollywood.