Imagine that, a place to download Hollywood movies for as little as $1.99. Some Russian pirates, make that Copyright Pirates, set up ZML.com with 1,500 movies (so far) you can download to your iPod for 1.99 or computer for$4.99.
Although Russia has more liberal copyright laws then the US, anyone want to guess how long till it's shut down?
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Baierman, I don't understand: are you against artists receiving compensation for their work? This post disappoints me.
Erik, who is the artist? The movie played at the theater for $10, all the actors and director and writers got paid. It was released on VHS for $20, somebody (who?) got paid. It was released on DVD for $15, somebody (who?) got paid again. It was released as a (poor quality) digital download for your computer for $10, somebody (who?) got paid again. It was released as a (poor quality) digital download for your iPod for $10, somebody (who?) got paid again. How long will this go on? How long will people continue to get paid for something that was done and dusted years ago? The only people receiving "compensation" for their "art" are the big corporate studios. Copyright is supposed to exist for a limited amount of time. Have you ever heard of "public domain?"
SteveTrash,
Actually there are very real answers to all those questions.
It's not nebulous like you claim: there are formulas and figures to answer all these things. As a writer, I get paid about 4 cents per DVD sold. We are currently on strike to raise this to 8 cents and to get paid for internet downloads. This money DOES help put food on my table, as many movies do better on DVD than they do in the theater.
Yes, I have heard of public domain. It too isn't just a nebulous term that can be thrown around to make you feel better about pirating something. In fact, due to the Copyright Term Extension Act, no more films will automatically enter public domain in the United States until January 1, 2019.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I don't think my post will really stop you, but please don't fool yourself that you're stealing from a faceless corporation.
This stuff does matter to the little guy.
What can i say, the path of life you chose is you thing. Pity you get so little for your work, and pity for myself who cant afford or dont want to pay that price. free for all thats life and there is no excuse for it !