Forum - View topic

NEWS: U.S. Senator Wyden Places Hold on Net Copyright Bill

As much as I love Ron the Wyden, I'm pretty sure his office is mostly interested in only hearing from his constituents. People might be better off contacting their own senators and politely requesting that they grow a pair like their good friend from Oregon.

luisedgarf wrote:

Mayne they decided to put it on hold due to the whole WikiLeaks deal right now?

They actually used Wikileaks as an example of a site they could remove using this legislation. Don't let the wording fool you, all this is is a bill that would allow them to remove any site they darn well pleased from the internet, but in such an ineffective way that it would only hinder the internet. Just look at what they're wasting resources on here http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/11/us-government-seizes-82-websites-draconian-future. They're taking down websites that are the equivalent of youtube for rap, so what's to say they won't "accidently" take down legitimate websites? Do I need to remind everyone that the Great Firewall of China started as a block on porn, and where it is at now?

People seem to forget that piracy is not a new thing. I still remember how the music industry heralded the death of music because of the tape recorder, the same thing the movie industry said when the video tape recorder (anyone here remember betamax?) appeared in the home market. Back in the day millions of copies of the star wars game for the commodore 64 were made, yet I do not see george lucas linning up for welfare. Truth is the problem has never been the illegal copies, since the people that buy the most of their products is the same people that pirates them (I am not making this up, it has been throughly researched). The truth is that low sales are the result of the poor economy, not of lower interest. The truth is they are not making an effort to market their product (I have yet to see popular manga come to the kindle or apple store) so they blame piracy to cover for their ineptitude. Politicians seize the opportunity to remove one more right from their constituents, hoping that someday they can just push a button to silence any dissent someone has to voice about their crappy goverment.

You're saying that just because the impact is small that it's not an issue? How would you like it if I walked into your house and stole one of your DVDs? Or books? Or games? Or a shirt?

I mean, you probably have several of them, what's the differance if you lose just one or two? And if you call the cops after me, what am I going to do? Say that you're infringing on my rights to take your stuff because I have access to them, via a lockpick or a crowbar?

animefan1238 wrote:

Charred Knight wrote: Free anime, and manga is not a right, free video games are not a right, learn to support the creation of content instead of stealing it. True but how can people support it and have no work. I have done EVERYTHING to get a job for over a year and a half since graduating college. Finally though I am going to be making money by doing taxes. But just think of all these graduates who did have a job and now are unemployed or those who are in my situation. A fraction love anime but since they have no income their only option is to download it. Don't get me wrong I with you, I buy when I have the means to do so, but downloading is their only why if they don't have one friend to borrow or to buy.

I'm sorry, but something about that didn't jell with me. It sounds like an excuse: "I can't get it legally, but I have to get it some way!" Fansubs and anime downloading shouldn't be alternatives to buying anime. If you can't afford it yet, wait until you can. Save a little "me" money. Or ask people. You have a birthday, don't you? Don't be afraid to ask for what you want for once instead of what you need. (FYI, I've done college and unemployment. I get it.)

When anime studios spend millions of dollars each year producing shows, they're not doing it for fun. They expect to make their money back and then some. Piracy hurts that plan. If they don't make money, they don't make anime. Simple as that.

Deviant_scarlet wrote:

The only way the Anime/Manga industry could make a comeback is if Japanese Anime/Manga companies paid more attention to its market outside its borders and developed stronger ties with Anime distributors/Manga publishers in the U.S and around the world.

I agree 100%. But you know what one problem is? Dub hate. If people don't learn to accept dubs, things will stay like this. These companies notice what works and what doesn't, and they don't always learn from their mistakes. Instead, they assume anime isn't catching on and it's not worth it to invest in the American market. So should the industry shift to subs-only releases? If they want to make some money, but dubs have much larger profit potential than subs.

You're saying that just because the impact is small that it's not an issue?

True but how can people support it and have no work. I have done EVERYTHING to get a job for over a year and a half since graduating college. Finally though I am going to be making money by doing taxes. But just think of all these graduates who did have a job and now are unemployed or those who are in my situation. A fraction love anime but since they have no income their only option is to download it. Don't get me wrong I with you, I buy when I have the means to do so, but downloading is their only why if they don't have one friend to borrow or to buy.

Frankly the fact that only one representative in both the house or the senate showed any degree of opposition to this bill is absolutely terrifying.

luisedgarf wrote:

Mayne they decided to put it on hold due to the whole WikiLeaks deal right now?

They actually used Wikileaks as an example of a site they could remove using this legislation.

Pepperidge wrote:

Frankly the fact that only one representative in both the house or the senate showed any degree of opposition to this bill is absolutely terrifying.

You do realize the only reason he delayed the bill is so that next year is the republicans fault that such a measure was approved by the legislators? Mark my words, this bill will be approved and this will not be the last time you lose some rights on the pretense that they are defending you.

Anyway, people have already started working on a countermeasure for COICA and the resent doman name seizures.