Dealers selling pirate DVDs

[chris_mk]

Just out of interest, of the people who are complainign about the pirate DVD's being sold... how many actually reported the matter to Showmasters at the time?

 

Showmasters cannot vet every stall, so if there's something illegal like that going on, it needs to be reported to them. As for R1 DVD's... yes, it is illegal to sell them in the UK, but only for the reason that they have not been correctly certified. The crime would be unlikely to be pursued, as the film companies are still making their money, where ever the DVD is bought.

 

Also, please don't feed the dumb troll.

[jacksparrowsmistress]

where are the mods when you need them?

[chris_mk]

Seriously dude, where are you getting these pics from? What is that, your girlfriend?

What part of not feeding the troll do you not get?

[Nighthawk]

where are the mods when you need them?

Ok I have tidied this thread up as best I can - apologies for deleting posts that were posted in retaliation to the offending ones, but as they were quoting the said posts I felt it best.

 

As for banning the member concerned that is down to Showmasters - we don't have the power to do that.

 

Now lets get back on topic

[JackTheDVDRipper]

personally I want to see lots of movies but can't always justify the £6.00 per ticket at my local multiplex. So I go and see the "must see on the big screen" ones and download the rest. If I see it or down load it and I like It I always replace my bootleg with the real deal when it is released ....

 

 

... I download them for myself and my family ... I don't sell them on ... I am a big movie fan with a low income ... but as I replace all worthwhile movies and see the blockbusters at the flicks I can't see how I am "harming " the cinema industry ... lower the ticket prices and I will stop downloading them.

 

Video piracy has been around since before most of you were even born .... I am sure I am not the only person on here who is now in their thirties who remembers when their parents gave them a 100th generation bootleg copy of ET .... That was back in the days when cinema to video took about 18 months.... and I can tell you now the quality was abismal ... but every kid had one. It didn't stop Spielberg re-releasing it at the cinema four years later in 1986 and it still took good money.

 

Guess what I bought it on VHS when it finally came out ... again on it's twentieth anniversary and now am the proud owner of a collectors edition DVD.

 

If you don't like Pirates DVD's don't buy them ... but everyone is entitled to make their own decisions in life and if we are not harming people in any way then I say go for it.

[jacksparrowsmistress]

I'm dont think the issue is whether or not we should buy them but whether or not they should be allowed to be sold in a legitimate setting like this weekend's. There were film distributers there who I'm sure would have been pretty peed off if they'd known. I personally have never knowingly bought or downloaded a pirated film (that includes ET), if I want to see something I'll go and rent it first and then buy a legit copy if I like it.

[Megafan]

Remember when we used to be told pirate videos HARMED your VCR and that all profits went to drug dealers and pornography .... of course it didn't!!!

 

Do you think buying a copy of Episode three today may have affected the possibility of 20th century fox being able to make another movie ....

 

Yawn .... people people ... don't BUY pirate DVD's ... download and burn 'em ... it's virtually free and i KNOW most of you do it ... hypocrits.

 

JackTheDVDRipper i don't know you but you make a fair point, gotta love it when a person cuts through to the truth of the matter!

 

Video piracy has been around since before most of you were even born .... I am sure I am not the only person on here who is now in their thirties who remembers when their parents gave them a 100th generation bootleg copy of ET .... That was back in the days when cinema to video took about 18 months.... and I can tell you now the quality was abismal ... but every kid had one. It didn't stop Spielberg re-releasing it at the cinema four years later in 1986 and it still took good money.

 

Yep, i remember those days. you ain't lying.

 

Far as the region one matter goes. DVD dealers are just bending the rules a little. After all the law says, shops aren't allowed to sel region 1 on the high street. Thus they are sold either down stairs and up stairs in shops across the country? don't believe me, go to your local DVD joint that sells DVD's and see what your shop keeper/owner has in the downstairs section and look at what "other" selections are on offer.

 

Half priced Region 1 DVD's!

 

Just stating cold hard facts is all.

 

Ask yourselves how many times the police have busted bootleggers, usually the same ones in a local area like a market place on the streets with their DVD's and how many times they will be doing it again. As much as it is wrong, don't think "grassing" somebody up will solve the problem cos it won't not in the least. I've seen untold bootleggers get busted and heard many more stories of those that got arrested more times than a soccer hooligan. You won't be a hero for anything or anybody.

 

Piracy isn't right, it exists in many forms that many of you don't even realise, way beyond films on a DVD disc or tape? think on that for a moment.

 

While it isn't right, don't think the easy solution to the problem is to simply point the finger and lable the culprit outright.

 

How niave are you all to think the SM have no idea that it is going on as the guy selling TV show pirates is Mr John Kelly who runs the Sci-Fi fan club in Luton and is an old friend of both Jason and Mark ... do you honestly think they are going to shop their mate???

 

Example a)

 

Two days in a place selling DVD outright doesn't sound like your local market place does it?

 

I realise alot of people on here are smart, and it does come down to making your own mind up on a situation. But ask yourselves questions you didn't ask before and say why is that rather than I don't agree this should be happening! all the time. Pirated films being sold are wayy to blatant and easy to spot.

 

Cinema ticket prices and DVD/tapes being sold are ripping you and me off, more and more as we speak!

 

Truth be told the film industry defeats itself. Over and over as time goes on. Ever since the recordable format came out, VCR's. Wonder that would happen if a law is passed where the governments can break into your house and take your film copies in whatever format its in. (right, it will happen when pigs fly?) Look the moral is, just be sensible and don't break the law if you feel THAT PC about it.

 

Much as it pains you to hear it. unless your selling bootlegs which REALLY hurts the film industry. All you people with PC's and MAC's are going to continue to download films/TV series etc o.k. you can lie to anybody else on here, but not yourselves?! It comes down to choice, either don't do it too much, or not at all (which is actually best) But piracy WILL exist in some form right under your very noses o.k.

 

Did you buy official posters, artwork, collectibles etc or were they forged? Probably not, not going to happen. considering how expensive they are, what if they were forged? But did you ever ask yourselves that question? [no offence dealers, you guys sell wonderful stuff o.k. just my crude example] or better yet your local market stalls you shop in, not the obviously dodgy ones but market places where you think its all legit but isn't.

 

Something to think on methinks.

Edited June 27, 2005 by Megafan

[feralmoggy]

Personally I'm reluctant to go to the cinema at weekends when there are offers available at midweek to go and see a film half price .... thanks to my phone bill. But thining about it £3 for 2+hrs entertainment isn't bad if you compare that to going swimming once a week or bowling.

[MikeDonovan]

OK the bottom line is this - The entertainment industry needs money, as do we all. Now, whether the prices we get charged are too high is another issue - I tend to think they are, but the key issue here is not how much to pay, it's whether to pay at all.

 

You have to all understand that when you buy a DVD from a pirate seller, you might spend £3 on it, but none of that money goes to the film-maker. Now picture this. I make a film, or a TV series, or an album, and no-one buys it. Everyone downloads it sure, but no-one buys it. Who's ever going to give me the money to make another one? This is something that Ronald D Moore was complaining about with regard to his new BG series. Imagine what would have happened to LOTR if no-one had paid to see Fellowship of the ring? Or maybe you write software. Imagine how it would feel if you made your living from writing an app, only to find it cracked and up for download on a BitTorrent site?

 

All we have to do is stay responsible. For example, I won't lie to you, I download TV programs regularly. However, not only do I see this as somewhat different than downloading films (let's face it, I could have watched 'em on Sky One), but also I 'donate' a lot of money to the entertainment industry. I go to the cinema a lot. I go to gigs a lot. I buy a lot of music, and DVDs.

 

The people who annoy me are those we feel they don't have to pay for anything. Not films, not music, nothing. Not only does this spawn from an extremely selfish view of the world, but also from a childish view of the way our economy works.

 

There were some good points above though. Yes, I am old enough to remember pirated copies of ET, and yes I had one too.... I think the difference now is volume i.e. the sheer amount of pirated material that's out there, and how easy it is to accquire. Through BitTorrent we all have access to thousands of terrabytes of data, and (unlike in the early days of P2P) you don't need to be clued in to get it. We have 12-14 year olds downloading endless gigs of movies and music, and I'm pragmatic enough to know that something has to be done about it, otherwise the entertainment industry as a whole is going to start going pear-shaped. The likes of us would pay for it if it was available on an on-demand basis sure, but a lot of these guys wouldn't.

 

Personally I don't understand why anyone would want to download a poor quality version of Revenge Of The Sith, or Batman Returns, with russian subtitles etc., rather than paying £6 to see at the cinema, but people do, and it's hurting the industry.... it may not be hurting George Lucas, but it's doing damage to the smaller independent film companies and music labels that need money to survive.

 

I don't think any of us believe that piracy funds terrorism and organized crime - that is just blatant fear propaganda. It's our economy that's suffering!

[fugaziuk]

personally i prefer going to the cinema - you don't get the full scope of a movie (especially something like epi3) at home no matter how good your tv or surround sound might be.

 

i never saw anyone selling pirates all weekend!! i must be going blind!!!

[chris_mk]

I think there's a sifgnificant difference between downloading films for your entertainment and delling the pirated material.

[MikeDonovan]

I think there's a sifgnificant difference between downloading films for your entertainment and delling the pirated material.

Agree entirely with this.... SM need to stamp on this and quick IMHO!

[Mastersoftheshow]

And to all the people who think that the industry is overstating is when they claim that piracy is ruining their business, well do think again :

 

--> one sector which has been particularly badly hit is the Japanese anime sector. As soon as a series is shown on television, it pops up on the Internet either to be downloaded, either as an Asian DVD collection (just check eBay if you don't believe me). It's gone to such proportions that quite a few studios are having trouble finding the necessary funding for their next series.

 

--> the music industry has been hit hard too. Quite a few new and/or smaller bands have lost their contracts since the companies can't take any risks with them anymore. They used to sell a few tens of thousands of copies, now that's been reduced to a mere thousand.

 

Sure, you'll always have huge blockbusters the likes of WotW, SW, XXX, etc. etc. And sure Britney Spears, J-Lo and other crap singers will continue to torture the airwaves, but if this trend continues, it will soon be the only things we'll be able to watch and/or hear. Exit diversity, exit chances to young talent, exit the really interesting stuff.

 

And one final note : how come so many people have problems with paying a few quid for a CD which lasts for approx. an hour or 10+ quid for a nice DVD with extra's and the likes, yet will have no problem forking down a quid or more for a lousy ringtone which lasts 15 seconds ???

 

Sorry to get angry about this, but even if the industry made mistakes and even if they did win huge amounts of money, it is a fact that the widespread of piracy has dangerous consequences which will ultimately hit all of us.

[The Cleaner]

Long before the advent of DVD pirate copies, the internet and people taking camcorders in to the cinema, both Warner Brothers and MGM STOPPED putting macrovision on their rental and retail videos during the early 90's.

 

Anyone with 2 VCR's could trundle down to their local video rental shop, hire the new releases, take them home and make as many high quality copies as they wanted in 24 hours.

 

Film studios give a toss about piracy? Don't make me laugh.

 

It's only the MPAA and FACT who have got their panties in a twist over all this in order to justify their existence. The Hollywood film industry loves pirate copies cos they work as a free ad for them film.

 

Legit DVD's are killing the film industry people would rather watch films at home than the cinema. And with all the extortionate cost and inconveniece of going to the cinema, who can blame them.

 

I live an hour's drive from the nearest cinema, and then it's another £6.50 to get in and that's during the day.

 

I love my broadband connection.

[MikeDonovan]

Long before the advent of DVD pirate copies, the internet and people taking camcorders in to the cinema, both Warner Brothers and MGM STOPPED putting macrovision on their rental and retail videos during the early 90's.

 

Anyone with 2 VCR's could trundle down to their local video rental shop, hire the new releases, take them home and make as many high quality copies as they wanted in 24 hours.

 

Film studios give a toss about piracy? Don't make me laugh.

 

It's only the MPAA and FACT who have got their panties in a twist over all this in order to justify their existence. The Hollywood film industry loves pirate copies cos they work as a free ad for them film.

 

Legit DVD's are killing the film industry people would rather watch films at home than the cinema. And with all the extortionate cost and inconveniece of going to the cinema, who can blame them.

 

I live an hour's drive from the nearest cinema, and then it's another £6.50 to get in and that's during the day.

 

I love my broadband connection.

This post is soooo naive I don't know where to start.

[fugaziuk]

the music industry has been hit hard too. Quite a few new and/or smaller bands have lost their contracts since the companies can't take any risks with them anymore. They used to sell a few tens of thousands of copies, now that's been reduced to a mere thousand.

 

yes film piracy not really bothered but this annoys me. its hard enough for upcoming bands and singers to get signed!!

[Mastersoftheshow]

This post is soooo naive I don't know where to start.

I wouldn't call it naive, but rather "I need to find an explanation for my illegal behaviour and so I'll just make up a story to justify my actions" kind of story ...

[mistaken_plane]

And none of these opinions defends the fact that SM allowed an illegal activity to happen on their turf...

[Mastersoftheshow]

And none of these opinions defends the fact that SM allowed an illegal activity to happen on their turf...

Well, I for one, think that SM should have acted - provided that they were / had been made aware of the presence of such counterfeit material.

[Colonel Jack O'Neill]

I didnt start this thread to discuss whether or not buying pirate DVDs is ok or not because no matter what anyone says they know its wrong otherwise it wouldnt be illegal, sure the cinema costs alot but that is why 5/6 months later you can rent it for half the price, if you cant afford the cinema then just wait, dont waste money on a pirate copy.

 

Also I know alot of people on here probaley download films and TV shows but there is a difference between downloading for free, watching then deleting and openly selling pirate copies of the films/tv shows at an event like this for profit, like someone else said, I am sure that the Paramount or 20th Century Fox booths wouldnt have been pleased to know that pirate copies of their film were being sold just a few stalls away.

[The Cleaner]

I was just stating a few facts.

 

I don't need to make up any stories to justify anything. The truth is there in plain sight.

 

Last week's report from the US about falling cinema attendences due to people wanting to watch legit DVD's a few months later is widely available on most major internet news sites. The BBC, Yahoo etc.

 

And I thought it was common knowledge that while still being the unspeakable truth in the film industry, the film studios like piracy. You buy a crap copy of a film you've not seen, and if the film's any good you'll probably go out and buy a legit copy when it becomes available.

 

If you don't like the fact that some major film studios deliberately aided pirates by stopping macrovision on their videos and DVD's then complain to them.

 

If they didn't want you pirating their product, they'd have stopped everyone from doing it years ago. Don't be so naive as to think anything else.

 

Many people see piracy as quite acceptable (as shown in another recent news article). I won't debate whether this is right or wrong. However it's the film studios who have made it acceptable to these people through the amount of piracy which has happened due their deliberate actions as explained above.

[Charisma]

Was just wondering why a dealer was aloud to get away with selling pirate copies of Star Wars Episode 3, Batman Begins, Sin City and a few other films?

 

He had DVD cases on his stall with the words "Display Purpose Only" but when someone asked about them he went under his stall and came up with DVDs with the names of the film written on the disc, this seems horribly wrong to me as this is a event to celebrate films, not rip them off.

 

Also I noticed a stall selling TV Shows such as Smallville, Enterprise, Stargate, 24 and Battlestar Galactica on DVDr. I have noticed these same people at other events and was wondering how can selling recordings of TV shows on DVDr media be legal?

I saw that guy, i thought that was weird in a big place like that to sell them there..

[showmasters]

We were made aware on Saturday of the sale of illegal DVDs on one of the stalls at the show. We liaised with the film companies present, and appropriate action was taken. On Sunday, a similar situation occured, and once again action was taken.

 

Showmasters work very closely with FACT, and have assisted them on several occasions with operations to seize counterfeit material. It is something we do not condone and take very seriously.

[Dom]

We were made aware on Saturday of the sale of illegal DVDs on one of the stalls at the show. We liaised with the film companies present, and appropriate action was taken. On Sunday, a similar situation occured, and once again action was taken.

 

Showmasters work very closely with FACT, and have assisted them on several occasions with operations to seize counterfeit material. It is something we do not condone and take very seriously.

Cool, you can use the reward money for the guest budget and I don`t mean getting SMG either!

[Megafan]

You have to all understand that when you buy a DVD from a pirate seller, you might spend £3 on it, but none of that money goes to the film-maker. Now picture this. I make a film, or a TV series, or an album, and no-one buys it. Everyone downloads it sure, but no-one buys it. Who's ever going to give me the money to make another one? This is something that Ronald D Moore was complaining about with regard to his new BG series. Imagine what would have happened to LOTR if no-one had paid to see Fellowship of the ring? Or maybe you write software. Imagine how it would feel if you made your living from writing an app, only to find it cracked and up for download on a BitTorrent site?

 

Well as a fan of the superior original 1978 series, i have bones to pick with Ronald D Moore complaining like a little baby about don't download my new series etc. Cos for one, if he honestly gave a damn he'd bitch about piracy outright! Not just cos his new show was coming out. He bitched cos the if the ratings weren't there for his new show, it would be canned in a heartbeat period o.k. That and he trying to talk smack about how great his crappy series is in comparison to the original. bittorrent is there and people use it to download far superior shows than Ronald D Moore's so-called gritty and realistic Battlestar Galactica series for the 21st Century.

 

Don't suppose he bitched about The O.C., C.S.I., 24 or Smallville downloads now did he?

 

Nope guess not.

 

LOTR not making any money? don't make me laugh, as we speak the latest Star Wars Episode is in people's homes enjoying life on some DVD-R or DVD-RW cos it was downloaded off the net. And yet the box office numbers are rising in every country as cinemagoers are still paying hard cash to see Star Wars on the big screen. So please if anything a LOTR trilogy everyone would argue is better wouldn't have any trouble making huge numbers in the movies o.k.

 

Keep it real. piracy may effect minor things but established things like both Star Wars and LOTR wouldn't be effected the way other films would be realistically.

 

Like i said before while i agree with you on the matter, i find your examples way off base.

 

People who write software pograms or music CD's would and should be, more aware of how the pirates work in the industry than anyone else. How many PC fairs have you been to where you see a guy in a duffle bag selling computer programs worth a couple of hundreds of pounds, at the street corner for a mere £5 bucks?

 

Even those people you mentioned do bootlegging and they themselves may have worked in a company making and selling software legit at one time, now sell those copies on the side too?!

 

Guess you're finding out that the world's more two-faced than even you've realised?

 

Megafan

Edited June 28, 2005 by Megafan