Why Movie Piracy IS Bad (And What To Do About It)
Nov 24, 2009 by Kofi OutlawSome folks seem to believe movie piracy falls into some morally ambiguous area. We explain why it doesn’t – and how to fix it.
MOVING TOWARD THE MIDDLE
There is one jewel of wisdom to be unearthed from this whole piracy issue (if you can believe that statement): Both movie makers and movie goers need to take a step toward compromise. But how to do that?
Why, by embracing the digital marketplace, of course!
It’s already beginning to happen: this year has seen a slight increase in the number of movies you can watch from home on the same day you can watch them in theaters. Most digital cable services that I know of offer “Same Day On Demand” (SDOD), often in HD quality, for smaller films that maybe aren’t getting a wide theatrical release, or films going straight to DVD/Blu-ray because they were deemed unsuitable (read: not profitable enough) for theatrical release. Pretty much the same deal goes for digital downloads (DD) through itunes, Amazon or similar online services.
I myself became aware of the golden shores of SDOD/DD last Halloween, when Fear.net dumped Clive Barker’s much-troubled film Midnight Meat Train onto on demand (for free!) BEFORE the film hit DVD. Not only did that viewing make me feel cool for catching a talked-about horror flick before most others had a chance to – it made me grateful to the studio for not trying to trick me into theaters and even persuaded me to watch Fear.net more than I ever would have done before.
This year, I’ve watched some films that were actually good on SDOD, including the Robin Williams black-comedy World’s Greatest Dad, and the homage to 80s horror flicks, The House of The Devil. And, after enjoying the experience of seeing both films in gorgeous HD from the comfort of my own home, I’ve come to the conclusion that Hollywood is seriously undervaluing this lane of the market.
Twilight hit VOD the same day as its DVD release. Needless to say, fans were happy.
Some other great films that didn’t get a fair theatrical shake but could’ve been great success in the digital market: Black Dynamite, Assassination of a High School President – and though it made big profits, the 50% of the audience that hated Paranormal Activity might’ve felt different had they been able to view it from their living rooms (as it stands, a PA sequel might turn out to be a flop).
Let’s just break this situation down for a second (in some nice, easy-to-follow bulletpoints):
- Movie theaters are already transforming themselves into a spectacle-heavy business (how many movies at YOUR local theater now come in digital prints, digital 3D, IMAX, IMAX 3D… how many more will follow suit next year?).
- Movie theaters can be very annoying (for reasons we clearly state HERE).
- HD TVs & Home Theater Systems are more prolific than ever.
Ok, some good points, but SDOD/DD rentals cost (on average) $6.99 per movie – why should you pay that high a price? I’ll tell you why:
- A $6.99 rental for you and a date is still MUCH cheaper than two movie tickets costing $7 – 12 a piece to see the same movie.
- At home with SDOD/DD, you can eat what you want, drink what you want, relax how you want – hell, not wear pants if you want!
- No one (except your family) is likely to ruin your movie-watching experience.
Still not convinced? Still think that $6.99 SDOD/DD experience isn’t worth it? Here some numbers to compare:
- The movie ticket price figure stated above.
- The fact that you’re already paying around $100 a month (or more) for digital cable, mainly for those four or five cable shows you like.
- Premium movie channels on cable cost an extra $15 a month per channel (in some places) for what is largely hit-or-miss viewing.
- For true HD movie quality you need a Blu-ray player ($$$) and either a rental service or ample $$$$ to buy those Blu-rays.
- If you think services like Netflix are the answer, that’s still $10-20 a month for movies that aren’t even in HD (unless you own a Blu-ray player); $50 a year for Xbox Live.
- The money you’re spending on rental services is going toward months-old movies – never that new flick you’ve been dying to get out and see.
So what SHOULD be the new model for Hollywood?
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The bottom line is that nothing, and I mean nothing including the supposed freebies our government suposedly gives ups like medicare and the upcoming HealthCare which will probably be a reality soon, none of it is free! You may not pay directly for it but in the end someone will pay for it one way or another.
When you commit piracy no matter what the justification you are at minimum helping make the case for stronger content protection which means we all get shafted in the end by tougher regulations & rules. Lte me be clear about Piracy which in my mind means getting access, for free to some protected content that you would normally have to pay for. I do not consider it piracy when someone who has bought for example a DVD, finds a way to duplicate it. I firmly believe it is the right of all users who have bought something to be able tyo make as many copies or duplicates as tehy want so long as they are for that persons use only. Disc technology is to fragile (a design flaw I belieev the industry intentionally put in place to llimit a products life) to not be allowed to make a backup and more the one since a backup disc could also go bad.
You may think you are justified in pirating something because the owner (Studio, record lable) has made gazillions off of it already like TITANIC or THE DARK KNIGHT or the LORD OF THR RINGS Triology but even in that scenario you are only providing them with ammo to make the case for tougher restrictions/access which then screws us all and is therefore not really free.
“Problem is everyone thinks they’re entitled to everything today. Maybe soon we’ll have legislation for “movie viewer rights” and force companies to let folks under a certain income level into theaters for free or be given new releases on DVD without having to pay for them.”
I know you’re joking, but this doesn’t sound like a bad idea–as far as justice is concerned. It would never work in this world for so many reasons, but it is one of life’s greatest ironies that those who decry the unfairness of withholding compensation for artists uphold a system that is inherently unfair.
Admittedly, the ethics are complicated. But I wouldn’t balk at someone who participates in a non-zero sum game where the companies impose artificial scarcity on an infinitely reproducible (above the initial investment), the production companies make record profits AND millions get to see the movie for free. Is it fair? Well only as fair as it is for the people who are most likely to download movies to be put in that situation in the first place. Oh you don’t have the money to see the movie? Too bad, you should have chosen better parents that would have put you in a good college so you wouldn’t have to steal movies. And you (the author) speak of fairness?
Granted it is the marginal cases that are the most controversial–those that can pay but won’t–well this is where the industry will have to adapt and prices will have to come down and the ethics will need to be evaluated by each individual–as you would expect with an infinitely reproducible good. These issues all bring very complicated questions, but don’t kid yourself into thinking that it’s somehow universally unfair to download–that’s just a tad myopic.
Unfair?
Oh right, we should just keep rewarding people for not wanting to better themselves. What would be the incentive to get an education and get a better paying job if you know if you’re lazy and don’t work you get to see movies for free, get free living, get free food… Why work??? Screw that, I would love to do that… Sit at home on my would-be fat ass and just get things given to me by the government, sweet deal…
ah….. Ken J
Does anyone even care what he has to say. He just loves to start arguements. I bet christmas at his house is just wonderful.
LOL, ah, ad hominem, thanks for basically saying “I don’t have anything to actually disprove what you’re saying, so I’m just going to throw personal insults instead.” I love that one!
I’m sure your insults are completely objective and are in no way motivated by the fact that you disagree with my opinion or anything… 
The only reason I’m replying to your comment is to just say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way you were raised by your parents, in raising you to be such an arguementative man. I’m sorry for the way people treated you as you grew up (I’m sure you got in a few arguements there, eh?). And finally I’m sorry for leaving comments on this site that you disagree with.
Feel better now Ken J.
HAHA, you’re hilarious dude. I love my parents and have had a great life! But thanks for caring.
(Well, don’t love my job, but that’s a different story, lol)
OK, I know we disagree on a few things. ie I think movie piracy is ok given the fact that the cinema is too expensive for me.
And you think differently. Even so, your alright. So I apologise for taking the mickey.
All the best and have a great Christmas.
It’s ok man, no need to apologize. I’m opinionated, I like to state my opinion. Some people disagree with me, I know that.
But anyway, glad I didn’t just make another enemy.
Merry Christmas dude.