Kommentare zu: The Good Pirates Part 1 – Hyperdistribution

Von: Sebi

Sebi — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:22:53 +0000

Very well said, “piracy should not be feared and fought, rather harnessed.” First of all, according to CNN The Screening Room, 2008 was one of the most successful years for Hollywood, ever. And digital movie piracy is at an all-time high. So, why battle those who made production companies big? The music and movie industries work in similar ways and have similar attitudes, so let’s think back to the Napster trial. Metallica’s Lars Ulrich fought Napster and exactly those people, who made him a multi-millionaire. He went on a crusade against the MTV and Internet Generation and as soon as Napster shutdown, eMule, Kazaa, and later on BitTorrent emerged to cause even more damage to the music (and movie) industry. By now, the movie and music industry should have understood that if you cannot beat them, you should definitely join them. Some artists, like Nine In Nails and Hawthorne Heights, understood the situation and became more popular and were able to make better money than ever before.

As for how to make money with FREE: Advertising is obviously one way to generate some money. Nonetheless, many internet users have become blind for banners. I sure am, and many of my peers as well. One way to generate money that has been proven effective by different artists in the entertainment business is selling merchandising and live events. Take all those reunion tours from Phil Collins with Genesis or Sting with The Police. One can find all the classic songs online on legal and illegal platforms. Music in CD or MP3 format has become a commodity. But experiencing music in a live setting has (almost) become a luxury good. Not everyone has the money to buy two tickets for $90+ each every other week, and I’d consider that a cheap ticket. And once you’re at the gig you might want to buy a T-shirt as a souvenir, for another $30+.

Wong Fu Productions, a young team of Youtubers and filmmakers, create clips that get distributed on Youtube for free. They solely generate money by selling A LOT of merch and making professional music videos for newcomers. A perfect example of how free leads to money.

Von: Dirk Worring-Ramstoeck

Dirk Worring-Ramstoeck — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:42:01 +0000

Just as a short notice to the INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ALLIANCE (even though they don’t read Blogs from evil Countries): Switzerland is not a part of the USA. Not even of the EU. You might have not known this. Beside lots of other things…

Von: Baden

Baden — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:15:39 +0000

@@digichr: I have also had more than my share of negative experiences with not being able to watch purchased US box sets. Such enormous amounts of time and energy is being spent on trying maintain control of an obsolete distribution system--hoping that the future will just 'go away', rather than participate in the innovation and technology that has already been built. For a good laugh/cry, try reading through this totally laughable report on the changes that the MAFIAA's feels Switzerland needs to make to get off the list of enemy countries.

Von: @digichr

@digichr — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:38:36 +0000

They funny thing also is, that here in Switzerland you can’t legally get some series. They for example air on a Canadian channel which you can’t pick up.
The series are on DVD, but with the wrong regional code.

I am aware, that my taste of media differs from the mainstream. But what does it hurt, if they would let me BUY such series at iTunes or whatever shop. If someone likes Swedish fish he can order it. If someone likes US series he can’t order it.

The only way for me to get some series is the download. As we know it is legal in Switzerland, and if they don’t want my money I don’t feel bad.

Von: Dirk Worring-Ramstoeck

Dirk Worring-Ramstoeck — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:54:00 +0000

I totally agree with what you mention here. Hollywood and Music Industry have spended way to much time to fight and sue, instead of coming up with smart on demand concepts, that serve the changed way of consuming entertainment. By now, they could have a running system, if time was invested into that instead of marching lawyers. As it turned out, “pirates” are the largest group of people who buy entertaiment software online or the old fashion way, after they tested and tasted. And when I look at the quality of the entertainment, yes Sir, I want to see the first 15 minutes of your new so called blockbuster, before I am willing to pay to see it in the movies. Or maybe not. When that movie, new Album, Software turns out to be stupid and not worth a penny, but a painfull waste of time.

Von: Baden

Baden — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:15:42 +0000

I would just like mention that much of the research done for this and the following related posts was gathered from two Heros of mine: Larry Lessig and his must-see T.E.D. Talk on laws that choke creativity and Mark Pesce's infamous lecture from 2005 Piracy is Good?.