Duh: Report Says DVD Ripping Is A Lesser 'Threat' Than File-Sharing
from the snoooore dept
A research firm has released a new report saying that people are much more likely to get pirated movies from file-sharing networks than ripping DVDs from rental services or friends. While an article about the report says this is "contrary to popular belief", it hardly seems surprising. While the number of tools to simplify and automate the task of ripping a DVD and turning it into a manageable file have proliferated over the last few years, they still pale in ease of use to the relative point-and-click simplicity of file-sharing networks, particularly for novice users. This is fairly obvious, but it's an important point, because it underlines the fact that it's really impracticality, not copy protection that stops people from ripping DVDs in the same way they do CDs. Despite the contention of the reports' authors, copy protection and DRM really don't stop anybody from ripping a DVD -- they just frustrate legitimate customers.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Slowly the general population is starting to understand that the inherent advantages offered by technology are be artificially restricted by large corporations.
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"DRM really don't stop anybody from ripping a DVD"
Judging from the support calls I get from the average consumer MOST of them have trouble with just using MS Office applications and don't have the skills to defeat DRM.
DRM must be slowing direct pirating some. Too, copying DVDs one at a time at home is much less of a threat (due to the hassle and time spent copying) than posting on a file share network where the copying to physical media is distributed.
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Re: "DRM really don't stop anybody from ripping a
All my ripping is done via a p2 266 w/128MB ram, no videocard, and only a flash drive. Why? Because it's got 4 DVD drives and I can just pop them in before work and get home just after they finish (yeah, sometimes it takes a little longer, but 8-10 hours is usual for that little guy to rip 'em all).
Burning is done in the evening via a p3 600 w/ 4 DVD burners, and the DVDs are placed on a nice cool dry shelf in case something catastrophic happens to my disks...which are in a k6 box with a gig-E card that maxes out the CPU when streaming.
All in all, the most modern computer in my house is the xbox 360...next best is the Wii, and THEN my HTPC (it struggles with 720p content...not really watchable).
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Ripping vs. Sharing
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Im not so sure...
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Re: Im not so sure...
So...I don't think this would count as a "lost" sale...I mean I did pay money to rent it in the first place.
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Re: Re: I'm not so sure...
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Re: Im not so sure...
Like others here, I too will go purchase the DVD if it's a movie I really like. So, my netflix-ripping doesn't harm the DVD sales I would be making. I wouldn't have purchased all the movies I've ripped.
I've setup a number of computers for friends who are non-technical, and installed DVD Shrink for them to rip DVDs. They are all able to do so with no help, and no problems. Most non-technical users just wouldn't know were to get a good program like that without help.
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Re: Re: Im not so sure...
The main reason people rip DVDs from Netflix is they might not have time that night to watch the movie, but why wait to watch the movie when you can simply rip the dvd, pop it back in the mail, watch sometimes over the next couple days, and still have a movie from Netflix on the way.
I think Netflix is hoping most people do not have such a fast turn-around time for movies. After all, they do want to make money.
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Re: Re: Re: Im not so sure...
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Re: Re: Re: Im not so sure...
Also you must be new to Netflix they do the slow down if you rent to much. if you get movies then resend them back too fast the next month they will delay your shipping a day or two.
Really this is a none issue with me but a lot of people complain.
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How to compete with free...
People might find it easier to fork over the cash than
to learn how the DVD copying or file sharing program works.
An older example would be to pay $15 for the original
Batman on VHS than to put two VCR machines together.
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Netflix owns
Most people don't copy movies from Netflix, Blockbusters is because a lot of people just don't know how. I run in to people all the time that just don't know or don't want to take the time to do it.
I think people would buy movies if they stop all this DRM crap or lower the price to like $9.95 a movie. If we are not allow to skip ads etc then at least they can do is drop the price under $10!
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all of which is perfectly legal!
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Re:
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Be fruitful and multiply.
Exactly-- but after that is where file sharing becomes the bigger 'threat'. If there are, say, 20 DVDs of Fightclub, then only 20 people can copy it first pass-- now there are 40 that can be copied second pass, but if *one* person copies it and uploads it, then anyone with a computer can copy it second pass. So, you have a finite number of discs versus an infinite (for our purposes) number of copies that can be downloaded from a torrent site. File sharing is definitely a bigger 'threat'.
In my opinion file sharing movies is a big pain in my butt. when I use to do it, it would usually take a day or so to obtain in
I am running a nothing special computer on a nothing special internet (cable) connection and I can download a popular movie (read: Well seeded) in 15-30 minutes. If you're on wireless router, you probably need to set up port forwarding and a static IP address, if you're directly connected, you need to change the default port of your torrent program because your ISP is probably blocking that port, being the tools that they are.
In my experience, downloading is far more convenient and quicker-- the problem is setup and tweaking can sometimes be a pain. I don't know that I've ever even ripped a DVD, so I don't know how long it takes start to finish-- but waiting for a DVD to come in the mail plus a monthly netflix subscription makes ripping an obvious no-go for me. I, too, end up deleting the movie after I download.. the good ones are worth buying (I'm a sucker for special features) and the bad ones make me wish I didn't bother downloading it. (I'm looking at you, The Fountain..)
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I want absolute control over what my 4-year-old son views. This means that I must be able to skip past all the garbage, ads and previews that are on DVDs. But to do that, one needs a copy of the disk where the remote control buttons are not turned off...
Thanks, DVD CCA, you've FORCED me to do what I have to do...
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Re: DVD Controls
There's no excuse for it.
EtG
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Thats is BS
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Re: Thats is BS
I have a good connection which gives me 1.55MB per sec, yes that's 1.55 MEGABYTES not BITS download each and every second and is rock solid.
So lets do some maths 1.55MBs x 60 = 93MB per min.
93 * 35 = 3,255MB in your 35 minute rip window. So ok maybe you can rip a full DVD quicker than me. But in the time it takes you to get the DVD, insert it, faff about with starting your copy programmes, purchasing your blank DVDs yeah I got the DVD ages ago.....
Fuck torrents use newsgroups.
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Uber-Pirates
I mentioned to the auctioneer that it wasn't at all legal for him to try and sell the discs or tapes, he said he was covered because he was specifically selling "only the boxes and you get whatever comes inside for free"...
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One man's BS is another man's...BS?
I can figure out what you were going to say-- and I'm sure that's true, but how long does it take for that movie to get to you? A day? 24hrs + 20min + 10min > 45min :)
Also, I don't have to worry about such pesky things as queues and subscriptions-- though, I've heard really good things about that MacTheRipper program.. is there a PC equivalent? I still have some old discs I'd like to move to a hard drive, I'm just a procrastinator. :)
I want absolute control over what my 4-year-old son views. This means that I must be able to skip past all the garbage, ads and previews that are on DVDs.
Gary, I think I'm going to go out on a limb and say that a few previews and an FBI warning aren't going to scar your toddler for life-- I mean, the previews seem to be all geared to the movie you're watching... sci-fi flicks get sci-fi previews, western flicks get western previews, more.. ah.. adult flicks get similar previews... so, it stands to reason that if it is a flick you, even with 'absolute control', would allow the tyke to view, then the previews and an FBI warning should hardly be a concern. It just seems like a watery reason to justify it to me. But hey, you're allowed to make personal copies for yourself (and I think immediate family) so you're still in the green with IP laws anyway. :)
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Re: One man's BS is another man's...BS?
It has the same learning curve as falling off a bike, insert disc from any rental store, or in your collection, hopefully redbox now, open macthe ripper, it tells you which setting are optimal and if rce is on or off, always on for sony.
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Road Trip.
"It's a shortcut, it's not supposed to be easy, if it were easy it would just be 'The Way'."
:P
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Im not so sure...
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21201
www.appletvconverter.net/dvd-to-apple-tv
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lol
Even if you have the original-BOX-CD , if you lose the cd-key you're doom and you have to pay another 49.99 $. So what do peaple do? Copy and use crack or gen-key program.
But they still call you a criminal by doing so.
Yet it's not legal.Just like it's illegal to download a movie.Same thing can applies.You watch it at the cinema , you want to watch it again or you already have seen that movie a bazillion of time.But you don't feel like paying again to watch something you have seen so many time.It's illegal also to watch a movie at a friend house?
Nope . it would start to be illegal the second your friend would make you pay to watch his t.v.Like - Hey man i rented this movie but you have to pay 4.99$ to watch it! lol
90 % of what p2p share it's *illegal* stuff.But ppl sharing them don't make money out of it.The one making money it's the one publishing and pubing.That why Napster and Kazaa for exemple got most of the pirated stuff deleted.That why Youtube get sued.Because the company make money out of illegal stuff.Other company pay a lot you have a publicity in youtube.because of the amount of people vising that site.
That the same for tv .Superbowl pub for exemple.
If i'm a criminal because i download a movie.Than arrest me when i copy a movie at the t.v
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ff
T.V pay the right for the movie.That why we have long publicity
But when i upload a movie or share a movie.It's not for my own profit.Because i make no profit.Unlike the local cable or satellite tv via the pub.
The one responsable it's the one giving access to it via publicity.That why Torrent is almost safe from extinction.Because they make no money out of it.Since it's directly via p2p.Unlike Napster who had ton of Pub and spyware crap.That why Napster and kazaa suck.because they sell your personal information without your authorization and make money out of your personal life.
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