Poll: Internet Piracy (need input from community for exam)

[Moriarty70]

What kind of stuff do "they" download? Games/Movies no longer reasonably available (vaporware)
Do "they" think its wrong? Not when the title would cost above it's launch retail price to purchase.
What would have to happen to make "them" stop? Services like iTunes and GOG.com Done a damn good job of curbing that behaviour. Old content at low price.
Or make "them" pirate more? Unemployment.

 

[Rainboq]

I don't believe in buying an album for 2 songs.

Its called iTunes...

 

[mugetsu37]

What kind of stuff do you download? TV shows, movies, anime, music, programs, and games. The only things I refuse to pirate are new games or movies.

Do you think its wrong? No, I haven't the money to legitimately pay for many of the things I pirate since I'm in college. Once I start to have luxury money I'll most likely buy what I liked, since I would like to support those artists that created them. Again, new movies and games are the exceptions: I will spend money to go to see a movie in theaters or to pick up a game that cam out last week.

What would have to happen to make you stop? A well paying, steady job.

Or make you pirate more? I have no reason to pirate more.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

I've never pirated anything online, but since there are no "real" game stores (where I live), I buy games from a guy who sells them for "1 DOLLAR". Take that, you pay 60 I pay one, BAM! But it wouldn't be like that if there were stores that sold original games, I like being legit, the problem is I can't.

Survey (or something like that)

What kind of stuff do "they" download? - They download absolutely everything, movies, games, programs, if the need it they pirate it.
Do "they" think its wrong? - See picture below. (found it on Encyclopedia Dramatica)
What would have to happen to make "them" stop? - Maybe lesser prices, DRM that you can live with, game availability (see what I wrote above)...
Or make "them" pirate more? - The thing that is being done right now, DRM is getting even worse, so they pirate more

I lol'd when I saw this http://www.themousetrap.co.za/comics/index.php?cid=26

 

[Generic_Dave]

I pirate alot of things I'd never buy, just to see. Found alot of bands like that, and I do buy stuff I like. But generally with music it goes on the MP3 player and I'd not be pushed if I never heard it again.

Then there's things you can't buy, cartoons from the 80's that haven't been digitized, and tv shows that are on way earlier in the States than here (Ireland). Generally though with those shows I buy the boxed set later, cuz i rewatch things. I don't think I really make a dent in anyone's profits in that I still buy all the things I can physically and usually buy most things I pirate when they come out. The things I truly pirate I'd never even considering buying so that's no lost profit. Also I NEVER pirate games.

 

[Erja_Perttu]

What kind of stuff do "they" download? : Obscure stuff that can't be found legally, fandubs/fansubs of shows unavailable in the UK and overpriced stuff (see Farscape)

Do "they" think its wrong? : yes, I try to legally purchase all that I can, and believe other should too. However, if a product is overpriced (see Farscape) is unavailable to purchase in my area yet or has somehow personally wronged me, I will pirate it.

What would have to happen to make "them" stop? : a limited internet connection, products not personally wronging me, lower prices for unreasonable items (see Farscape)

Or make "them" pirate more? : If the artist told me to, or if the price was too high for a certain product that didn't warrant it, under any circumstances (see Farscape)

 

[Billion Backs]

What kind of stuff do "they" download? Mainly movies and music.
Do "they" think its wrong? No, "they" do not subscribe to common morality.
What would have to happen to make "them" stop? Can't think of a thing. I suppose death generally stops you from doing anything.
Or make "them" pirate more? Can't think of a thing.

 

[Tidenburg]

How often do your "friends" pirate stuff - A lot.
What kind of stuff do "they" download - Music and TV Shows. Sometimes movies and VERY RARELY video games.

Do "they" think its wrong? - Yes and no. I'm aware that it's stealing but it feels like there's less consequence as it's not a physical object. Besides this, the system at the moment is awful and the companies themselves are partially to blame.

What would have to happen to make "them" stop? - Stop "nationalising". If a TV show is released then it should be released everywhere, not just in America for 3 weeks first. If the users can't access the content but other users can, they will naturally look toward the internet to get it. Albums which are made avail "US and Canada" for a month first are instantly downloaded by "friends" because they don't see why "they" should have to wait when the internet is all about getting things instantly. On the internet we aren't separated by nationalities - I want to discuss all the current things with my friends in the US and them likewise. Separating content based on this is practically inviting piracy. Things like steam ensure that I never pirate video games (however when they're really really really old I don't see the harm).

Or make "them" pirate more? - The costs going up.

 

[Mechsoap]

my friends dont have a proplem i do it a little, still im poor as hell, i cant afford all these big titles with the payment i get! i share a room with 3 people its no wonder i reside to pirating instead of choosing between food or games

 

[XT inc]

does downloading TV episodes count seeing as i refuse to w8 a yr to watch TV in australia especially as the way they screw with the schedules ill miss episodes anyways(tho generally i buy most of them once they eventually get released on DVD here

The legal method for you to watch your tv shows is to import from the states or pay for them online. If you aren't paying money you're probably doing it wrong.

 

[Irridium]

What kind of stuff do "they" download?
Very old games that are not available anywhere else. I always try to find a way to buy old games, but half the time there is nowhere I can buy them. I also get the pirated version of games I lost the CD keys/disks. For example Halo 2. I still have the disk and want to install it, but I need the CD key, which was in the manual which I don't have anymore.

Do you think its wrong?
Of course every publisher/developer thinks its wrong. But as a consumer, its a very, very grey area. In my case, I don't believe its wrong since I already payed for the game, I just lost either the key or disk.

And I believe most reason's why people pirate are bull. If you can't afford it, go without it. You don't need games to live. And if you pirate to "stick it to the man" or "they don't deserve my money" then you should be smacked across the face because your only making the problem worse.

Also I believe I just contradicted myself a bit...

What would have to happen to make you stop?
If older games were offered on Steam/Direct2Drive/Impulse/Good old Game and many other area's so I could buy my favorite old games.

As for pirates as a whole, you can't stop them. There will always be pirates and your product will always get pirated in one way or another. Until publishers realize this, things won't ever get better.

But we can reduce it. One way is to allow Publishers to take a backseat to developers. Nowadays all we hear about are EA, Ubisoft, and Activision. And because of that when people pirate all they really see themselves pirating from is a faceless corporation who has millions. If developers were more involved in the community than publishers, then people would see the people who make games. People just like you and me who love games. People who have families and need the money to feed them. People are far less likely to pirate from the guy who need the money to feed his kids than they are from faceless suit 24.

All people say is that they pirate from EA, Activision, Ubisoft, and other big publishers. Some even admit it proudly. But how many would openly and proudly admit that they pirate from Tim Schafer, Will Wright, John Carmack, Warren Spector, Miyamoto, Sid Meier, and the other famous developers? If anyone says that they pirate from Gabe Newell, there's a damn good chance the entire internet will come down on you and make you pay for it. And if anyone proudly admits to pirating from Tim Schafer I hope they get mauled by a bear.

Or make you pirate more?
Me? Well I don't pirate as much as everyone else. I don't pirate for the same reasons really.

But what would make others pirate more? Restrictive DRM. Like with Ubisoft. There's no way in hell I would let a DRM solution like that on my PC. And because of it I vowed to not buy another Ubisoft title as long as this DRM system was in place. But others will gladly pirate the games because of it.

Hope that helps you.

 

[ShinyMagnum]

I use it to try before you buy to counteract the desparate overhyping that happens frequently. Besides how much money does an artist need and how much actually goes to them?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/apr/21/study-finds-pirates-buy-more-music

The way I see it this technology is like the printing press and home taping; a whole load of fear of the unknown but the world never reverts back.

The best part is that this is a new renaissance for the accessiblility and appreciation of the creative arts.

I wonder what http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee would have to say on the subject.

 

[Tiny116]

What kind of stuff do "they" download?
A lot of books and music. Also streams TV shows that are Unavailable to them otherwise

Do "they" think its wrong?
They know it's illegal but use it because it's available

What would have to happen to make "them" stop?
Some kind of Uber-Internet Mod that could actually catch you doing it (I think the UK are apparantly woring on something like that)

Or make "them" pirate more?
Not a lot really, higher availability and easier access?

 

[Billion Backs]

This sums it up prety well

I think I like you, comrade!

edit: To add extra content...

It's a really interesting time to be. Our technology yet again challenges the old concepts, and from this point it can go either way. Look at what the printing press did back in the day - and compare all the panic from back then with what happens today. As far as I can see, there are 2 extreme ways it could go... and perhaps a boring middle way nobody cares about.

Either the "clergy" manage to dismantle and greatly control "the presses", and I see that as a VERY bad outcome here...

Or the technology smashes a lot of current views and opinions, a lot of chaos happens and chances are something cool's going to come out of it. Either way, a bit of chaos never hurts, and it's really the only way for things to advance. You either stagnate, or you have a revolution.
...blood for the blood god, bloood for the bloood god, BLOOOOD FOR THE BLOOOD GOD. Also, cakes for the cake throne

 

[Kathinka]

What kind of stuff do you download?
mostly pc games, movies on occasion.

Do you think its wrong?
well, from a strictly legal standpoint it is not prohibited here in the czech republic *weaves little blue-white-and-red pirate flag*
from a moral standpoint...well i buy games i deem good enough to be worth arround 50 euros. so if a game deserves buying, i do, if not, be it for being overpriced or having some redicolous drm (i pirated mass effect 1 out of sheer spite when i heared about the drm it had and bought it somewhen later when it was a lot cheaper) or something like that, i don't. and i don't think that it's wrong not paying for a game that is not worth paying for.

What would have to happen to make you stop?
well, the publishers would have to stop fucking us over on every goddamn opportunity they can. better games, good service for the games, lan and mod capabilities, dedicated servers...all that makes a game worth my money.

Or make you pirate more?
well the course they are currently sailing is doing a pretty good job. pay-for-dlc? hell no! no dedicated servers? will pirate the shit out of it! sickening DRM? not getting on my machine, rather take the free version without it. (nice backfire btw, that an anti-piracy-measurement encourages piracy^^)

this picture, through grossely inaccurate (but also funny), came to mind^^

 

[ShinyMagnum]

What kind of stuff do you download? I download mostly the music I listen to, since it comes from Japanese artists and thus isn't worth the extra money I'd have spend to get the CD's and the region-specific equipment to listen to it.

Do you think its wrong? In most cases yes, such as pirating a movie/game that you can just go to the store to buy, but in the case of something you can't find around here/anymore, it's perfectly understandable to me.

What would have to happen to make you stop? If companies stopped region locking products I would happily take the time to import my Japanese CD's.

Or make you pirate more? Increased restrictions on region specific products.

I don't like the whole "can't find it around here" argument. There are multiple stores close to me that carry old games and movies, even Atari cartridges. Not to mention you are on the Internet now, so even in the odd event you cannot find products at a local shop you have THE ENTIRE WORLD to buy from and sell too.

People are, in general, too lazy to be bothered with the whole world ordering idea. Although I labor to go to stores to get games the effort and costs involved almost isn't worth it.

we live in an all about me, now now now, consume it all, society that is all about instant gratification.

I have to call around and do research to find cartridges (snes n64), then have to get gas/bus money, find a store that may have 1 item on my list then I have to go to another store to get other games. take them home and hope they work.

People would rather circumvent this practice and mock me knowing full well they could get an emulator and an entire game selection for Free, with no effort or time involved besides the wait on the download.

And the time it takes me to earn the money to afford my products, movies, games, comics, books. They can be consuming it all for free.

What happens when these cartridges all break? Emulators and Roms preserve the games and consoles beyond the hardware's lifespan. Software doesn't wear out.

 

[XT inc]

"What happens when these cartridges all break? Emulators and Roms preserve the games and consoles beyond the hardware's lifespan. Software doesn't wear out."

Then it is your "duty" to purchase working carts at your expense or buy the legal roms if they sell them or you are out of luck

 

[AstylahAthrys]

What kind of stuff do "they" download? The occasional song, a missed episode of a TV show or a game "they" already own.
Do "they" think its wrong? It's really a grey area. "They" usually pirate with the intent to legally buy if "they" enjoyed it.
What would have to happen to make "them" stop? More sites like Hulu would really cut down on it. More sturdy CDs.
Or make "them" pirate more? "They" never intend to ever pirate more.