LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Trade groups representing the U.S. entertainment industry said on Thursday that new CDs, DVDs and video games would carry a stark warning about the legal penalties for unauthorized copying as part of an effort to combat digital piracy.
The new warning label, which was announced at a news conference on Thursday, will carry the seal of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The new and more prominently displayed warning will read: "The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000."
Muddy's Note: What moron does not know that it's illegal?!? Who are they out to impress here? I have a sure fire way to cut back drastically on pirating. 1. start making quality stuff, people won't pay for garbage. But they will pirate it. 2. Stop over charging, $50 for a game I'll play for 2 days is worthless. and $40 for a DVD I'll watch 3-4 times at most is senseless. Get with the times you brainless twits, make it all available for download direct from the studio's for cheap and you'll see profits.
Full Story @ Reuters
It would be interresting to know how much money was spent on actually *putting* the FBI seal on these products as I assume it must have cost something for this redundant warning.
Also, just out of curiosity (because that's just the way mind has been working today), do you think they would have to get permission *from* the FBI to even use the seal...as I would also have to assume that the industry wouldn't want to "reproduce" it without permission.
In any case, it is stupid and it *won't* stop piracy. If they have to be, these "pirates" will only become more sneaky. Let's face it, the more tightly you pull on the "rope" the more people will fight to be free. It's human nature.
But hey, that's *my* take.
Posted by: mrs. muddy at February 19, 2004 08:05 PMwhy do you make the lame excuse of bad movies/music/games as an excuse to steal it?
the bottom line is its free. if you could download food, you eat it then blame mcdonalds for creating crappy meals™. if a mercedes 500sl could be transported over the internet to your driveway... you would DL it. if something can be aquired for free, [or 39.99 a month DSL,] people are going to get it. lord of the rings was a great movie, and yet people still downloaded and watched it.
if the fbi wants to stop piracy, outlaw all internet that is faster than 56k.
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((because i f**kin said so))™
That's BS. Piracy existed with 56k internet. It has nothing to do with speed or bad movies. People are going to get what is free, especially when price dictates them being unable to pay for it. I can pay for my movies and music, so unless the only thing I want off of a cd is one freaking song, I just buy the CD. I watch my movies enough that buying the DVD is worth it.
Posted by: skywalker at February 20, 2004 08:59 AM"unless the only thing I want off of a cd is one freaking song, I just buy the CD."
ya know, that actually brings up another point of mine dealing specifically with the music industry. Some artists out there(and in some cases, I use that term loosely, hehehe) have put out dozens of CD's BUT interrestingly enough (though not hard to believe), I'll personally only like ONE song per every CD a certain artist puts out. Now, I'm not going to spend 15-20 bucks just to buy the cd for that *one* song I just *happen* to like....and I don't care if I DO have money to burn. Buying a cd for just ONE song - in my opinion is stupid.
I do not mind, however the idea of making my own cd compiled with songs from different cd's and/or artists and then paying for that cd that I have "made" for myself and my personal interrest. Don't they have ways to do that?
Posted by: mrs. muddy at February 20, 2004 12:59 PMAbout the question of mrs muddy I think you can do sth like that with napster or the ipod system...
More generally
There's something in this world called intellectual property. It his ruled by one world agency and works under a treaty part of the general agreement on tarifs and trade, enforced by the world trade organisation...
Some people think that huge parts of the intellectual property legislation is now outdated and counterproductive. I am part of them, muddy is too as is anyone involved in the linux community or contributing for free to bigger projects. Areas of conflicts include :
music film books industry and file sharing
Programs proprietary source versus linux opensource
Pharmacical industries and developping countries about the usage of patented drugs to fight major illnesses, some underline also that more patenting has lead to less innovation with few breakthroughs when compared to 40's-60's.
So here is a question for cwilli. Imagine these people against present intellectual property laws want to devise (elaborate) new property laws, develop new systems such as the one developped under the GNU, or in a different manner the steve jobs web site for his ipod ...
Don't you think that debate is similar on that very point to the one on the gay marriage.
There s a law. Lot's of people find it unjust they start disrespecting it, or contesting it, and they ask for a new one, most suited to the times...
Being part of the linux community (As I am) does not necesitate a belief that most ip law is outdated (though some is.)
In a naion ruled by law, the proper way to fight a law you feel is unjust is in two places: the courts, by proving the law itself violated higher law that should prevent such law or the ballot box by voting for people who are against such law and will change it. That's the beauty of representative government. You vote for people who represent your interests.
I disrespet alot of laws and nearly contested one that would have prevented me from going to college a few years ago. But I don't flagrantly violate them to prove my point.
Posted by: skywalker at February 24, 2004 01:30 PM