Apparently The Word 'Piracy' No Longer Sufficiently Derogatory For Entertainment Industry

from the what's-next? dept

Thu, Mar 18th 2010 1:53pm — Mike Masnick

We already wrote about the release this week of a highly misleading report about how many jobs "piracy" was going to "cost" Europe. However, a bunch of folks have been sending in the Reuters coverage of the announcement of the report, which included some fascinating comments from Agnete Haaland, the president of the International Actors' Federation, who argues that there needs to be an even stronger word for infringement than "piracy," claiming that the "pirate" connotation is too glamorous:

"We should change the word piracy," she told reporters at the unveiling of the report on Wednesday.

"To me, piracy is something adventurous, it makes you think about Johnny Depp. We all want to be a bit like Johnny Depp. But we're talking about a criminal act. We're talking about making it impossible to make a living from what you do," she said.

Ok. Pick your jaw up off the floor. First, this is stunning in that it's been the entertainment industry itself that pushed and popularized the term "piracy" for copyright infringement. They did so very deliberately in an attempt to demonize the act of infringement, presenting it as something much worse. That some have since taken that term and embraced it hardly changes that initial fact. Second, she's wrong about the fact that they're "talking about a criminal act." Yes, in some cases copyright infringement may be a criminal act, but in most cases the use of "piracy" these days refers to civil issues between two parties and not criminal acts at all.

Then again, given that this was a statement made in favor of a blatantly misleading report, perhaps it's not surprising that the speakers were blatantly misleading as well.

In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for Ms. Haaland on what we should call the act of copyright infringement?

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Filed Under: agnete haaland, piracy, words

130 Comments

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LumpyDog (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 1:57pm

I'd call it Content Liberation.
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Joe Thomas Crown, 18 Mar 2010 @ 1:59pm

One more name off the list.
On the upside, they won't be able to use thief. Though I don't engage in infringment, when I think of thieves, I think of glamorous folks snatching priceless works and jetting off to tropical islands.

That and Dungeons and Dragons, which is its own class of awesome.

In short, far too complimentary for these scofflaws.

Oops, I think scofflaw is too harmless! Knock that one off the list too.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Jon Renaut (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:10pm

Let's call it what it is
It's mass murder.

If copyright infringement really makes "it impossible to make a living from what you do", then certainly all artists will starve to death. Then their families who depend on them will starve to death. This is a real tragedy, all because of all you mass murders with your torrents and whatnot.
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:Lobo Santo (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:11pm

OOh oooh!!
I know what words they can use!
Vile words which conjure wickedness in the minds of all who date speak them:
Corporate Executive.

Eh? Scary stuff there...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:12pm

Re:
My first thought was similar but just "liberation". Short and sweet.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Poster, 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:13pm

Re:
AMEN.
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www.eZee.se (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:14pm

Heck!
We wrote about this way back in 2008!!!

As usual, the dinos took a couple of years to catch up :))

http://ezee.se/articles-blog/2008/07/11/pirates-the-new-niggers/
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous, 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:15pm

How about we call it "raping babies"? Both stealing content and raping babies are equally abhorrent acts. This of the headlines this would cause and how it would demonise the people stealing content.

"Judge frees man who raped over 1000 babies"
[ link to this | view in thread ]
www.eZee.se (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:17pm

Also, i would like to add something that another commentator wrote (and i support) :

Well if were going to use the term Copyright infringers for those who do so, what shall we call the lobbyists that have been howling "piracy" for the past 20 some odd years instead of building a new business model?

I propose copyright extortionists, as this covers what the lobbyists and industry are trying to do to us and our government.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:18pm

How about "Ingringing"? Has a nice honest "I'm not a PR term" ring to it. if you ask me
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Philip (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:19pm

What do pirates hate?
NINJAS!

I propose the new term be "ninjacy" in efforts to fight "piracy." Now the entertainment industry can have ninjas work for them beating out the pirates.
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Gumnos, 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:20pm

Framing the language
Does that mean they'd accept the term "rape" for what they do to the Commons? Given that the Commons hasn't given consent, that would make it "statutory rape". Given that the Commons hasn't been allowed to mature since Mickey, I guest that makes it "statutory rape of a minor". Yes, if we're renaming "infringement" to "piracy"[1] and "theft"[2], then let's rename the media industries actions as "statutory rape of a minor"

[1] "an illegal act of violence, detention, or plunder committed for private ends by crew or passengers of a private ship or aircraft against another ship or aircraft on the high seas or in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state". Given that copyright infringement doesn't involve violence, detention, a private vessel, and it doesn't happen on the high seas or in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state", that's a bit of a misnomer for them.

[2] involves removing somebody else's property, not making a copy for yourself, so again a bit of a misnomer.
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Beefcake (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:23pm

Ironic Nomenclature
"To me, piracy is something adventurous, it makes you think about Johnny Depp." So the entertainment industry says they need a new word because they themselves glamorized the term "piracy".

If they still argue "inciting infringement" should be a criminal act, maybe they should be held to the same standard if "inciting piracy" by making murder, rape, and actual theft on the high seas glamorous.
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weneedhelp (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:30pm

Baby killers
So it is impossible to make a living from what you do, so the artists and families starve and die, yeah baby killers.

File sharing = Baby killer.
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crade (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:30pm

We are still talking about kids playing music without a license right?
I propose terrorists!
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Reason2Bitch (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:30pm

Re:
Depends on the context. Lets say X infringes on Y's copy right.

1. If X=person-backed-by-a-big-corporation and Y=some-poor-guy-who-was-probably-born-200-years-ago, then X is an creative artist

I am tired already! somebody please finish this list :)
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:Lobo Santo (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:32pm

Re: Terrorists
No no no, the US Gov has a trademark on the fear-mongering term "terrorist(s)" and it can only be used via express consent of the rights holder.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Phil, 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:32pm

How about...
"Fair Use" seems to be equally misleading but ever more so appropriate from my perspective.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Brian (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:33pm

Hmmm I was thinking somewhere along the lines of either:
1. Content Wizards

or

2. Freedom Rapists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:34pm

Re: Re: Terrorists
Who else wants to use it?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
crade (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:36pm

Re: How about...
Maybe we should call it "Unfair Use", any use of media can be either fair or unfair, and we can forever argue about which is which... hey wait a minute!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Pontifex (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:42pm

They'll probably try to push through some ridiculous term like "Copyrapists."
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:42pm

Re:
http://ezee.se/articles-blog/2008/07/11/pirates-the-new-niggers/

You are the worst kind of idiot.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
anymouse (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:46pm

Why don't they read their manual?
This has all been laid out for them already all they have to do is read the manual....

DOUBLEPLUSUNGOOD

Oh, that's right, someone pulled the copy of the manual off their Kindles, whatever will they do now?
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redwall_hp (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:47pm

Robin Hood-ism
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ECA (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:47pm

A little history
There were not allot of REAL pirates.
Under THEIR understanding.

MOST were privateers, hired by 1 nation to raid ships of the OTHER nations. The problem with being a Pirate to every nation, was you had NO PLACE to land/dock..
Until the America's were discovered, there were FEW places that you could go that didnt have Military control, at the Docks.

In THIS market, as in the OLD..
Piracy should be considered a Business model to COMPETE with.
Small time Pirates arnt making that much money, so tend to be of little harm.
BIG time pirates, have MORE expenses, and need to pay those that they HIRE. IF they can do it so cheap, WHY cant the CORPS do it as cheap? AT LEAST at a MORE reasonable price.
For all the money the Corps pay to PROTECT THEIR OWN GOODS, they could fire the Lawyers, Kill the Copy protection, DESIGN a better CHEAP distribution system, and MAKE more money by LOWERING the price.
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Dark Helmet (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 2:56pm

End of submissions...
Raporism...

And that is all....
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William, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:01pm

Another name for piracy
How about the original term for that kind of sharing: "Word of mouth"?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:05pm

they realize that piracy is a term that doesnt truly cover what is happening. people are getting something without paying. that is theft of services at minimum. piracy or lending is a way to make it sound noble or acceptable to steal. its only true for the morally bankrupt amongst us.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Phillip (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:06pm

Re:
how about free advertising
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:09pm

Well lets see!
Jack the Rippers, who are cutting at the throat of the innocent maidens that are the industry while ripping.

The Boston Strangler of Tubes.

Psychopathic Freeloaders.

Ex-Customers.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Infamous Joe (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:11pm

Re:
obvious troll is obvious.
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Jon Doe, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:12pm

Public Option
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:12pm

my vote
Marketing hobbyist.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
**AA fan, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:18pm

Re: Re:
http://ezee.se/articles-blog/2008/07/11/pirates-the-new-niggers/

You are the worst kind of idiot.

AMEN
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Capitalist, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:22pm

Re:
people are getting something without paying. that is theft of services at minimum.

That's what I hate about any kind of charity or so-called "giving". Anyone teaching little kids they should "share" their toys with others should be locked up for "corrupting the youth".
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Svante Jorgensen (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:25pm

Both the Terrorist and Rapist terms are good, lets call it:

Terror-raping-ism

Nice and PR friendly :)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
william (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:26pm

I say we keep the word piracy because it's cool now.

oh yeah~
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BigKeithO, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:28pm

Re:
Since when has piracy been noble or acceptable? ANY form of piracy?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BigKeithO, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:30pm

Re:
See Dark Helmet's comment above. He beat you too it and coined "Raporism" a few months back. Seems more catchy than Terror-raping-ism!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
ChiisaiTenshi, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:31pm

Re: terrorists
Well they're obviously terrorists. Duh. Because they're threatening mass murder of artists and their families. You know because most people never buy the content.
Now that I'm through with the sarcasm, what if the copyrighted content is not readily available in your country through any other means?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Fletcher, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:51pm

A Diabolical Plan
You call them "Child Pornographers," and this is how you do it:

First, you watermark content with kiddie porn, then you share the watermarked content p2p. Then you go after everyone who got the content, claiming that they were really after the porn.

Of course, whoever actually does the original watermarking and initial distribution is committing a significant crime, so it should be outsourced.
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RD, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:52pm

Re: Re: terrorists
"Now that I'm through with the sarcasm, what if the copyrighted content is not readily available in your country through any other means?"

Or at all? why is it that content that is LOCKED UP and NEVER made available in ANY FORM is "illegal" to obtain? How is this promoting progress or useful arts? I like a show called The John Larroquette Show, especially the first season. Can I buy this? No, its not offered. Can I download it? Yes, if I know where to go. Is this download "official" or "legal?" Well, considering that it was aired FOR FREE NATIONWIDE ON TV, it shouldnt be illegal to obtain it when the corps who own it WONT OFFER IT FOR SALE ANYWHERE. This is a significant point that gets lost in all the rhetoric on "piracy." Its one thing when its Lost or Heroes, its another when its something that you CAN NOT GET because its NOT OFFERED THROUGH ANY LEGAL MEANS.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:56pm

Re: Re: Re: terrorists
Don't forget about the Larry Sanders Show with the first season only being available to purchase.

That's five whole seasons that I am unable to purchase.

But if I were to download those five seasons, I would be considered a pirate.
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Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:57pm

Re:
Copyright infringement is not a moral issue.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:59pm

How about we call them:

Anti-Public Domain Infringers? Then people might ask, "What's the public domain?" and have their minds blown.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 3:59pm

I vote for "Robbing Hoods."
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Blamer .. (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:01pm

Artificial Dissemination
artificial dissemination
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NAMELESS.ONE, 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:02pm

YA know i can beat the tar out of an actor and get less time then taking there movie
SO lets start beating the crap out fo these fucking assholes
they deserve a SMASH UP THE HEAD
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NAMELESS.ONE, 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:09pm

a story of the pirate
one day his pirate vessel was boarded
they had to make find all the loot
there was a map
BUT they couldn't copy it cause that would be piracy/theft?
Note here they did not just take the map and go get the loot.

HAHA
this is perfect analogy to whats going on.
get over it hollywood your time is now coming.
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Christopher Weigel (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:10pm

Re: Re:
"Liberation" sounds a little too much like a nudist colony, though.
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Christopher Weigel (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:12pm

Re:
Only if we get to call corporate fraud "molesting squirrels".
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TSO, 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:20pm

> what we should call the act of copyright infringement?

I vote for "liberation of the content" :-)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:25pm

buccaneer american
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btr1701 (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:40pm

Submission
My suggestion for the new piracy word is “content-rapist”.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Sorceress (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:42pm

New Title for "Piracy"
I suggest "Toe Stompers". Obviously, using someone else's content for your own pleasure is stomping on the creator's toes. It reflects my opinion of the seriousness of the "crime". A "crime" which is familiar to Hollywood and the music industry since "borrowing" ideas is pretty much endemic in those make-believe lands. There is a saying in Hollywood - Everyone wants to be the first one to do it the second time. Sort of speaks to the ridiculousness of all those hissy fit throwing self righteous content thieves crying about piracy. Anyway...isn't the idea to get their product seen and heard by as many of the great unwashed as possible? There should be rejoicing in the corporate headquarters every time a song, film or other content is downloaded.

I claim the term as mine and mine alone! No one else can use any of those words EVER AGAIN!!!!! For any reason!!!!
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ChimpBush McHitlerBurton, 18 Mar 2010 @ 4:57pm

Re: Re: TERRORAPIST
Perhaps, but what about Terrorapist?

"The IP Terrorapists are sucking the very life-blood out of content creators, leaving us with ashes of dreams and blood stained streets."

CBMHB
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 5:15pm

Re: OOh oooh!!
And for people you really dont like ... Entertainment Media Corperate Executives ....
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous, 18 Mar 2010 @ 5:15pm

"To use the rather colourful imagery that internet piracy conjures up in a highly imperfect analogy, the file being shared in the swarm is the treasure, the BitTorrent client is the ship, the .torrent file is the treasure map, The Pirate Bay provides treasure maps free of charge and the tracker is the wise old man that needs to be consulted to understand the treasure map."

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCA/2010/24.html
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 5:17pm

Re: Re:
Is molesting squirrels a bad thing ?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BearGriz72 (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 5:46pm

Re: End of submissions...
Intellectual Ventures � � = � Vile Utterance Nut Sell
Intellectual Vultures� � � = �� Unsettle Cultural Evil
Copyright Extortionists � = � Hypocrite Got In Six Torts
Corporate Executive� �� = � Executor Pirate Cove
Freedom Rapists� �� = � � A Fed Misreports
Intellectual Property � � = � Procure Little Penalty
Imaginary Property� � �� = � Repay Trampy Origin
[ link to this | view in thread ]
BearGriz72 (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 5:47pm

Re: Re: End of submissions...
Apologies it looked fine in the preview...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
vivaelamor (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 6:07pm

Re: Re:
'That's what I hate about any kind of charity or so-called "giving". Anyone teaching little kids they should "share" their toys with others should be locked up for "corrupting the youth".'

I knew there was another reason for hating Christmas.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 6:30pm

Actually, it was called piracy before the concept of copyright was even invented, let alone popularized by the industry. All the industry did was pick up on the already existing usage.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:25pm

and look at this nonsense statement.

""Consumers have to understand that there will be nothing to consume if it's impossible to make money making the content.""

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031701791.html

All the creative commons and GPL music and software out there is proof that you're wrong.

I got a better idea. The news media has to understand that consumers will no longer take them seriously when they tell lies.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:27pm

Re: Re:
Since when has piracy been noble or acceptable? ANY form of piracy?

Yeah, I'm sure no one would want that term associated with them. Except, maybe, the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers or MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Kris, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:44pm

Why not call it banking?
It will generate the kind of revulsion they expect.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:46pm

Re: Re: Re:
only if you are a squirrel ;)
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:49pm

Re:
I'm breathing free air right now. Clearly a theft of services from the plants of the world.

I'm an air-pirate. Hey wait, that actually sounds pretty cool.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:51pm

Re: A Diabolical Plan
Stop it! You'll give them ideas!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:53pm

Re: Re: Re:
I knew there was another reason for hating Christmas.

You mean for sharing? Like when Jesus made copies of the loaves of bread and the fish and shared them with the crowd for free? (Despite the fishermen and bakers missing potential sales.) I know that goes against some of the capitalist views around here, but does it really have to make you hate all Christians?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Hephaestus (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:55pm

- copy theft
- criminal possesion of media
- criminal possesion of copyrighted material
- possesion with intent to distribute (had to get a drug one in there)
- distribution of a controlled media (zing second drug war one)
- felony forced content liberation
- felony distribution of copyrighted content
- felony possesion of media
- etc
- etc
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Hephaestus (profile), 18 Mar 2010 @ 10:56pm

Re:
^^^^

"In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for Ms. Haaland on what we should call the act of copyright infringement?"
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:01pm

Re:
criminal position with intent to sell software.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:03pm

Re: Re:
Why doesn't she come here and argue her case her case so that we can point out how ridiculous most of the claims are and see how she responds. Why is she hiding behind a corrupt mainstream media that would automatically censor criticisms sent in to the editor? Come here, where we can actually have a meaningful discussion and correct you, instead of hiding in the corner.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:04pm

Re:
Illegal media overdose.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:11pm

""To me, piracy is something adventurous, it makes you think about Johnny Depp. We all want to be a bit like Johnny Depp. But we're talking about a criminal act. We're talking about making it impossible to make a living from what you do," she said. "

It just boggles my mind how industry promotion nonsense lies can pass as news like this. This is just testimony to how corrupt our mainstream media, and our nation as a whole, has truly become.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:13pm

Re:
You mean back when the actual "Pyrates" would print and sell the actual books.

Scoundrels. The lot of them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Leefe, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:17pm

Sharing sucks so...
Why don't they make the new term 'Vampires'.

No, they won't work.
Things like Twilight have made vampires even more cool than pirates.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Mighty Buzzard, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:21pm

Re: Re: Re:
No means no.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Mighty Buzzard, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:23pm

Re: What do pirates hate?
Screw that, pirates get rum and wenches. Ninjas just get free jammies.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Mighty Buzzard, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:24pm

Re: Re: Re:
Because she's probably not stupid.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Mighty Buzzard, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:27pm

Re: Ironic Nomenclature
Wouldn't sell to a jury. Everyone knows those things are inherently glamorous.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The Mighty Buzzard, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:32pm

Re: A little history
Ooooh, we could pay Brazil for letters of marque after they get their WTO settlement and be privateers instead of pirates.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 18 Mar 2010 @ 11:48pm

"In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for Ms. Haaland on what we should call the act of copyright infringement? "

FREE MARKET CAPITALISM!!!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Spanky, 19 Mar 2010 @ 1:47am

re
"Haalanding"
[ link to this | view in thread ]
PaulT (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 1:48am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
"Because she's probably not stupid."

Her original comments say otherwise. If she believes those words, she's a moron.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 4:47am

Copyright and patent length should be invalidated by the supreme court on the basis that it does nothing to promote the progress.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 4:50am

Re:
"people are getting something without paying."

You are getting the air you breath without paying. Thief.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 4:51am

Re:
"its only true for the morally bankrupt amongst us."

First of all it's not stealing, it's infringement. and we've pointed this out on tecdirt often enough for you to know this by now meaning you're being dishonest. Telling lies is wrong. Why should I trust the moral judgment of a liar?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 5:05am

Re:
"people are getting something without paying. that is theft of services at minimum."

If someone wants to offer their music or software under a CC or GPL software, as many do, it's not wrong for me to download said music or software without paying.

As for those who insist on having a monopoly, I would much prefer they find another job than to demand that society give them an unowed monopoly and then go out of its way to enforce said monopoly for no good reason (ie: by passing bogus laws that restrict our freedoms and invade our privacy and by wasting congresses money and our court systems money and everyone's time trying to figure out what is and is not infringement even to the point where we must be psychic. The RIAA can't even keep a list of copyright music they "own," they just expect us to magically know). No, this is not acceptable, you want a monopoly to "make" (or distribute) music, find another job.

and those who have a monopoly on cableco/telco infrastructure need to go out of business too and, if anything, be jailed for their successful efforts to corrupt our politicians into giving them everything they want at public expense (and the politicians should equally be punished).
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ethorad (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 5:43am

Re:
They really need to look at why the word "pirate" is being connected with Johnny Depp adventures. What sort of person would plaster the world with posters of Depp under the word "PIRATE". Three times. And then complain about it?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 6:39am

It should be called "Roethlisbergering". You know, taking something you want whether or not it's actually being offered, with no regard to the consequences, because, being a star QB and millionaire, you can do whatever you want. When you've got the money, you make the rules.
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Jamie, 19 Mar 2010 @ 6:45am

Well, if we're trying to help them out, how about "goat fucking?" That would seem to be appropiately demonizing.

Might be a bit difficult to work into a phrase like "don't copy that floppy", though.
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Läsarn, 19 Mar 2010 @ 6:56am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Squirrels never say no.
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bake n skate, 19 Mar 2010 @ 7:29am

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
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A Dan (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 7:33am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
He said Christmas, although the bread+fish story is a good comparison to what's happening.
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harbingerofdoom (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 7:40am

Re:
then it would make sense to "liberate" a phrase from a recently popular show and call them 'immortal liberators'.

/got nuthin really...
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 7:55am

Re: Re:
Lets get high off of copyright infringement.
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Marcel de Jong (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 9:04am

Re:
But I'm Dutch, you insensitive clod... oh wait, did I just admit that i sometimes download copyrighted material?

Yes of course I did, I downloaded this article in my browser window, didn't I?
Therefor I'm a 'Dutch Buccaneer'/raporist/freeloading asstard/ninja/pirate/babykiller, except that in NL, downloading of most material is legal, as it's hard for the downloader to figure out whether something he downloaded was offered illegally or not.
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matt, 19 Mar 2010 @ 9:23am

READ STATE STATUTES
"in most cases the use of "piracy" these days refers to civil issues between two parties and not criminal acts at all."

Mike that might be your opinion, but it isn't necessarily factual. For example here in Texas non-commercial infringement is in the criminal statutes. That's the case for many states including all of the ones I had time to look up (which granted was only a few but still).
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Joel (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 9:26am

Re: Re:
Genius!!
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Joel (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 9:35am

Smoking or drinking
It should be called smoking or drinking because it even though it might be bad for you, you will still do it.
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Philip (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 9:39am

In homage to John Stewart
We should call them - Progressives.
(backstory story: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-18-2010/conservative-libertarian)
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 10:20am

Ms. Haaland will probably suggest we add those who might violate copyright to the sex offender list.
I mean after all, content creators give birth to their creation-that makes it a child, and “kidnapping” that child means your name goes on the list, at least in Georgia. THE SCARY THING IS SOME IDIOT PROSECUTOR MIGHT MAKE THIS ARGUMENT.
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Gene Cavanaugh, 19 Mar 2010 @ 11:20am

Piracy
How about the "Haaland Imperative"?
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Darryl, 19 Mar 2010 @ 11:37am

Call it what you will!
It's only ONE thing, plain and simple, it's THEFT.

If you think artists just want to be seen and heart, you completly wrong, they want to sell their product of their labour. Just like everyone does.

Ofcourse pirates can do it cheaper than the original company, they do not have to pay for the development and support of that product.

A muso spends his life and many hours learning his art, his reward for his efforts is money from sales.

A pirate, just has to copy his works and sell them cheaper, thats theft, it's just that simple.

You sound like a bunch of 'spin doctors' trying to put a nice face of something that is illegal.

Call it breaking the law, or whatever you like, but call it for what it is, it's theft of someone elses efforts, and by stealing it you take away from the sales of those who laboured to create it.

what if you spend $3000 on a ROLEX watch, (or $30,000), and you find that it's a fake, it's a pirated version of the original, and after 6 months it's stops working.
What you have done is steal off the person you sold that fake watch too, thats theft, and it's gaining profit from false pretenses. You (the pirate), have made lots of money by cheating, and copying something that is successful and popular for you own gains.

Someone said, if they dont like pirates, they should do something else.... like what ?? So should every muso stop creating songs, because you feel you have a right to steal his works?

It's a crime, its not usually a civil matter, it's a serious problem, and if any of you have travelled any you will have seen hundreds of pirated music, software, jewlery, clothes anything, to make a quick buck...

It's a crime, and should be treated as such. Trying to "spin" it as something other than theft is just trying to justify you're cream more so.

So get over it, and if you want something, expect to pay for it.
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Andrew (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 11:50am

Piracy
I agree that Piracy maybe an inaccurate word cause at the heart of the issue how can you really steal something that is infinite?

Back in the day raiding some port or whatever you actually took and that person didn't get it back. Nowadays its more like you have something that can be copied infinitely. Does that really ring piracy? It more rings something like just plain old COPYING.

As for a word I don't know what to suggest.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 12:20pm

Re: Call it what you will!
Copyright infringement is not theft. One is a civil matter, for non-commercial purposes, while theft is a criminal matter.

How can you "steal" an infinite good?

If you think artists just want to be seen and heart, you completly wrong, they want to sell their product of their labour. Just like everyone does.

They want to TRY to sell their product. Perhaps musicians in the 21st century might be better off attempting to try to sell a scarce good, as opposed to an infinite one?

I am an artist who gifts their work into the public domain. My biggest fear isn't piracy, it's obscurity.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 12:24pm

Re: Re: Call it what you will!
You might also want to look at another of the useful arts, the sciences, to see how well they dealt with infinity back in the day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_theory

Point being, they didn't. Kind of like how artists are having trouble dealing with the economic reality of infinite goods.

Welcome to the 21st century. Enjoy your stay.

I don't pirate music because the recording industry destroyed any interest that I had in music. I would rather listen to silence.

But it's the pirates who are destroying the musical arts.

Sure it is.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Mar 2010 @ 12:25pm

Re: READ STATE STATUTES
For example here in Texas non-commercial infringement is in the criminal statutes.

Citation, please.
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Who Needs Facts?, 19 Mar 2010 @ 12:51pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Surely there will be a congressional hearing where squirrel speech experts from both sides will come in and give testimony discussing the finer points in squirrel dialogue.
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ren, 19 Mar 2010 @ 1:01pm

a 'MURDOCH'
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Philip (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 1:05pm

Re: Call it what you will!
what if you spend $3000 on a ROLEX watch, (or $30,000), and you find that it's a fake, it's a pirated version of the original, and after 6 months it's stops working.

That's call "counterfeit." There are plenty of legal counterfeit rolexes out there - they just don't call themselves ROLEX for obvious reasons.

You seem to be confused as to the difference in piracy and theft. It's simple: in theft, the original product is lost. In piracy, you still have the original.
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Richard, 19 Mar 2010 @ 1:31pm

Re:
funny, I misread your comment and split my side laughing. I thought you said "lubrication" ... They obviously have no intention of handing that out first
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vivaelamor (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 1:51pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
That and I was being sarcastic. Apart from the hating Christmas bit.
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Hephaestus (profile), 19 Mar 2010 @ 5:32pm

Re:
he MURDOCHed that recording ... brilliant!!
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southpark redneck, 19 Mar 2010 @ 10:42pm

RE: They are GOOBACKS!
They took our jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Ray Trygstad (profile), 21 Mar 2010 @ 12:05am

Suggestions for Ms. Haaland...
"In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions for Ms. Haaland on what we should call the act of copyright infringement? "

Copyrape?
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Anonymous Coward, 22 Mar 2010 @ 12:28pm

Digital Sodomy?
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Anonymous Coward, 9 Apr 2010 @ 7:54am

Re: Call it what you will!
If artists want money let them work like everyone else and earn it the HARD WAY going to a JOB. Concerts, live presentations, authographa signing, ANYTHING instead of going to a studio for some hours and then milking the results of their "LABOUR" for ever!!

Your original product remain with you isn't it? I have another word for people who wants to keep charging for ever the same amount for their products and its this "AVARICE"!!

Fair compensation , yes, perpetual compensation for old products, creations , NO. It makes content "creators" lazy.
Once they do this then talk about justice!!
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girl in the planet, 11 Sep 2010 @ 7:20pm

commentation of the post
I now the people come here for searching for the information and here this post has gven the information the user is searching for.
I justify this post as 9
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gerson, 29 Sep 2010 @ 4:29am

"It's a very good and informative article. I like it very much."
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husband of ship, 6 Oct 2010 @ 5:52am

re
I'm breathing free air right now. Clearly a theft of services from the plants of the world.

I'm an air-pirate. Hey wait, that actually sounds pretty cool.
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serpent of voyager, 27 Oct 2010 @ 9:54pm

Is piracy a norm?
Think, people need to understand piracy. calling it by another name would not help.
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misty stream, 11 Nov 2010 @ 7:17pm

misty stream
Fair compensation , yes, perpetual compensation for old products, creations , NO. It makes content "creators" lazy.
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ranjitsinghh (profile), 30 Jan 2011 @ 6:55pm

comment
The piracy is something adventurous, it makes our think about Johnny Depp and Clearly a theft of services from the plants of the world.
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ranjitsinghh (profile), 30 Jan 2011 @ 6:58pm

comment
piracy is something adventurous, it makes you think about Johnny Depp and think about people try to understand piracy.
thanks
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ranjitsinghh (profile), 30 Jan 2011 @ 6:58pm

comment
The piracy is something adventurous, it makes our think about Johnny Depp and Clearly a theft of services from the plants of the world.
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ranjitsinghh (profile), 30 Jan 2011 @ 6:59pm

comment
The piracy is something adventurous, it makes our think about Johnny Depp and Clearly a theft of services from the plants of the world.
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