MPAA: Real Patriots Don't Share
from the nationalism-as-a-business-model? dept
There has been a war of language and thought going on in the copyright debate for years. People think in language just as they speak in language, which is why content industry groups have gone to such lengths to pervert nuanced legal language into stacatto and misleading buzzwords crafted purely for public consumption. This language war is the reason why when I Google the word "piracy", the first page gives me the Wikipedia article for the war act of piracy and then in the news items I get a story about lawmakers wondering if search engines contribute to piracy.
Well, the MPAA, never shy to jump on the hyperbole train, is doing its best to make the debate about patriotism, rather than the actual issues, by cloaking itself in the American flag. Michael O'Leary, Vice President of the MPAA, spoke at a hearing with the House Judiciary Committee's Intellectual Property, Competition, and Internet Sub-Comittee (say that three times fast). Look at the whole quote first:
"The key foundation of American industry, the expectation that hard work and innovation is rewarded, is imperiled when thieves, whether online or on the street, are allowed to steal America's creative products and enrich themselves along the way. Rampant theft of American intellectual property puts the livelihoods of the workers who invest time, energy and fortune to create the filmed entertainment enjoyed by millions at risk; to these men and women and their families, digital theft means declining incomes, lost jobs and reduced health and retirement benefits. We believe that rogue sites legislation, combined with the Administration's work with intermediaries and enforcement by the IPR Center, will go a long way towards shutting down the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works and close a gap in the intellectual property law."
Three sentences with so much intellectual dishonesty, subtle word games, and nationalism wrapped up in a tidy knot that it's sickening. First, to get it out of the way, note the word games being played through the legally incorrect use of the words "thieves", "steal", and "digital theft". This is the game they play with words and thought.
But more prominent is the plea for American nationalism in his words. Like so much bad policy before it, COICA legislation (which has been dutifully renamed "rogue sites legislation" by O'Leary, as the word games continue) is being wrapped by supporters in the flag. We've seen this movie before and we know how it works. The Patriot Act was wrapped in the American flag (more word games) because if the time spent saying, "This here bill is good for 'Merica" was spent actually explaining to people what it was, the public outcry would be heard loud and clear. It's the same with COICA, as the MPAA subtlely informs us that taking down "rogue" sites without true due process is somehow as American as Superman and apple pie (pay no attention to the innocents caught in the crossfire).
But as long as O'Leary wants us to pledge allegiance to flag of the Motion Picture Association of America, I have a couple of questions. Is applauding government censorship American? Is it American to push around our fellow nations of the world to adopt laws simply because our industry wants them to? Does the land of the free and the home of the brave really mean tucking your tail between your legs and running to daddy government because you don't know how to maximize your profit margins in the digital world?
I'll tell you what, O'Leary: I'll start taking lessons in patriotism from the MPAA about the same time I accept an invitation to the Ku Klux Klan's symposium on racial tolerance...
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Oooh, ooh, I know this one, pick me! pick meeee!!!
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*minutes pass, returns with a fat brown envelope and white powder on his upper lip*
Ahem.
We have a new Public Service Announcement! Resistance is Futile! Join the MPAA! Amaerica will become one with the world! All is one! FOR AMERICA! FOR OUR OVERLORDS!
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Hmmm
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Re: Hmmm
:)
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It's the people, not the concept.
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Answers
- Yes
"Is it American to push around our fellow nations of the world to adopt laws simply because our industry wants them to?"
- Yes
"Does the land of the free and the home of the brave really mean tucking your tail between your legs and running to daddy government because you don't know how to maximize your profit margins in the digital world?"
- Yes
But at least we allow movies about time machines.
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there, I fixed that for you.
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BY THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC
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Watch this.
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A movie ticket, popcorn, and small (1.5 gallon) Dr. Pepper is the GNP of some small countries.
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That is the way it is SUPPOSED to work. That is the free market at work. A retailer can make a decision - do I cater to parent's that have young children, or do I support the people that want to watch adult films? Smart retailers like Wal-Mart will make the decision based on what will make them the most money and smaller niche retailers will be able to sell what they do not.
Why make laws to do what a free market will automatically do on it's own?
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You're missing my point. I don't want a law that would bar the sale of AO and NC-17 movies. Rather, your comment implied that the MPAA ratings don't matter because "they aren't law," but it can be shown that they are far more influential than that statement implies. I think it's problematic when a small, private organization essentially has wide-ranging censorship powers.
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That wasn't me, but I don't think he meant they did not matter. Wal-Mart not selling a movie or game is not censorship. It is a company making a decision to not sell something based on their beliefs or the beliefs of their customers. Think what a problem it would be if they couldn't do that. Every store that sells movies has to offer EVERY movie?
A free market allowing the production and distribution of unpopular content creates niche markets - and that is a good thing for smaller companies, makes for good PR for the bigger companies, provides diverse products for the customers and provides an environment barrier for customers that want to avoid the unpopular content. This is all good.
The MPAA unfairly applying their rating system sucks, but you cannot blame Wal-Mart for that.
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I agree that WalMart not-selling a game or movie isn't censorship, and they should by all rights be able to make that decision.
My anger is solely* with the MPAA and their unfair application of ratings -- because that's [a huge component of] what WalMart et al are basing their retail choices on. If the MPAA gave your movie a "bad" rating, it doesn't matter if there's a "worse" movie with a PG-13 on the shelves.
*and maybe a little towards people who fail to see the practical implications of systems like this...
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> or Best Buy
Well, there's your problem. Stop shopping at Wal-Mart and Best Buy and a lot of these issues go away.
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The problem is when the rating system prevents movies or games from being made because the rating they get prevents them from being widely marketted (and thus making back their budget).
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Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel
www.samueljohnson.com/refuge.html
It seems like it still applies.
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Re: Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel
www.samueljohnson.com/refuge.html
It seems like it still applies."
"Get these snakes of this mothafuckin' plane!!!"
This quote has been attributed to Samuel Jackson.
Oddly, I believe this quote also applies....
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Audience
It's the Senators that make $176,000 in a year, and barely use their oversight powers to get to the bottom of the problems in any industry.
These are the people that believe more in ideals than they do in pragmatic solutions. We see through open secrets that these are the most morally bankrupt group of legislators, lobbyists, and private interests that care not one whit about the ideals of freedom, liberty, and speech.
So these people eat up the idea of wrapping a grand ol' flag around America that can be served on a small platter. The idea that somehow nationalism can solve the problems of the country will hit the right chords when they are far removed from the plights of the laws in effect.
This can't be more prevalent than in Orrin Hatch and all of his antics over the years. Sadly, he continues to be voted into power. That's the true travesty.
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Do you have a list of people handy that would actually believe such a crock of bs?
Your kicking and screaming this week about it finally being addressed by law enforcement has been most amusing.
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You're clearly a horrible writer, Mike, as evidenced by this very article that you yourself wrote....
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I'll tell you one thing, if I wrote articles for Techdirt, hey certainly wouldn't look anything like this. Mine would be filled with hardhitting factual journalism, the kind you see so sparingly these days. And I'd have graphs! Pretty, pretty graphs, with big pictures and bold text so that pregnant nuns everywhere could understand that Viacom is basically Godly and saint-like in a way that gives us all a boner.
Instead we get this crap article written by The Maz. What a joke this site has become....
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It is all hidden behind the impenetrable NYT paywall.
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That made me laugh twice.
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Apparently, you are quite the discerning writing critic.
And DH clearly doesn't parrot Mike's beliefs.
Mike is an entrepreneur interested in helping industries avoid making huge mistakes over and over again and at the same time destroying our rights and culture.
DH is a paranoid schizophrenic bent on world domination and now and then has a moment of clarity long enough to write an article. But he's super funny - and I think armed, so I happily announce that I like his work.
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So at least we know he's a benevolent dictator.
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I have vast entertainment contacts (I know ALL the best topless bars in the Midwest) and all of the proper qualifications (a unnamed bank account in the Cayman Islands to hold the "campaign contributions" and absolutely no morals).
But, unfortunately, I am withdrawing my name from consideration due to "cultural differences" between DH an myself. (Go Red Wings!)
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I flashed morse code with a laser pointer to the MiBs I'm pretty sure are just outside my window in the trees if they knew you, and they said no, so I'm calling you a liar....
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Just out of morbid curiousity, which belief did I "parrot" that you think is "silly"?
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There were also many other clues but again you would have to actually read it, and mikes post to compare. However I'm fairly sure your comments are all based on titles
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Where's my pitchfork and how do I sign up to join the Motion Picture Army of Assholes so I can prove how much more 'Merican I am than you?
/sarcasm
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Here is the sum total of all the reply content you deserve:
Dear Anonymous Mr. Douche Bag,
Sod off, you wanker.
Love,
Yo Momma
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Wrong message to the wrong people?
Unfortunately, most politicians are:
A) Older than dirt; and
B) overly sentimental rubes
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So... you guys expect to be rewarded... why?
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"hard work" ... can't breath ... laughing to hard ... god, I just tore a stomach muscle from laughing so hard ... " and Innovation" ... please stop ... not again ... I need to breath ...
also
"is imperiled when thieves, whether online or on the street, are allowed to steal America's creative products and enrich themselves along the way."
For a second there I thought they were going to confess to something ... well pot meet kettle
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I'm willing to bet that the reason the industry perpetuates this travesty is because it is run by ignorance and apathy.
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Re: Re: ignorance and apathy, and stupid logic
Your kidding right ????? or are you just an idiot ?
So you think Apple wait for someone to enter the shop and ask for an iPhone before they run out the back and make one ?
Or a band stating they are not going to create a song unless is sells a certain number of copies?
Or FORD building 10,000 cars BEFORE ANYONE HAS SAID THEY WILL PURCHASE THEM ???
what about a block of units ? do you think they are all SOLD and pre-occupied before a developer takes the risk of paying for them to be built ?
Do you know what a "spec home" is ?
in fact MOST things are built before there is a confirmed 'sale' of that product.
Certainly more than are not, therefore your entire argument is based on flawed logic. And worthless.
There is ignorance and apathy, but its all coming from you.
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"What does it take to succeed in life?"
If you answer "Hard work" then you are probably a rich fat bastard ("I work hard for my $10,000,000 yearly salary.")
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Then why aren't laborers rich?
There's a reason CEO's are so rich. Unlike the bottom level workers, they get to choose how much they are paid when they review payroll.
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Kind of like Congress. Except when a CEO can't balance his company's budget he can just jump ship with his golden parachute and stock options, where Congress simply keeps getting paid regardless.
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What a load of shite! You have no shame at all, do you?
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Re: What a load of shite! You have no shame at all, do you?
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It's Useful work that's rewarded. Hard, easy I'm not picky about that. Useful is something I'll pay for...
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real patriots
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-Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Senator2: "Only an anti-patriot would say that!"
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Senator2: Sentaor3, how can you be advocating child pornography?
DefenseContractor1: Senator2, here is your money.
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I guess they just won't ever get it.
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Sure there's quite a few of you willing to fight for your rights and freedoms, but so many citizens don't even notice the government stripping you of your rights and in some cases dignity. It starts with being groped at the airport, and ends the same way the USSR did.
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PrintPress
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Real Patriots Don't Share
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Real Patriots Share
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No problem. Happens w/pretty much all the "guest" posts, actually. Just hope people don't mind me having some fun w/it on a Friday :)
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"Sorry Tim. I just assumed I was reading."
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Just think, you too could have your issue become a WAR! Just like our other products "WAR ON TERROR" and "WAR ON DRUGS" (Trademarked) You can become a part of the great American Jihad designed to oppress our people through ridiculous laws, rampant disregard for privacy, and contempt for civil rights!
Benefits include:
Automatic support from Americans with IQs under 100.
Zero oversight for your private militia/internet censors.
Pass bills through congress without anyone reading them.
A whole line of T-Shirts and bumper stickers proudly exclaiming that you support "WAR ON ____"
A dedicated line to the DEA, ATF, DHS, FBI, CIA, and Attorney Generals office so that you can have the door of that 14 year old kicked in and have him behind bars in minutes!
And don't forget to try our gold package, now including our newest addition of military tribunals! Liberal judges got you down? Talking about constitution this, and civil rights that. Don't let that punk download a movie and get away with it! Now you can have a tribunal set up to rubber stamp that guilty verdict, no more embarrassing questions from the press, no more appeals, now you get YOUR brand of justice served up on a silver platter.
So raise the prices on your movies and your music so that you can start your "WAR ON INTERNET PIRACY" today!
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Yes, where the "gap" in law is the First Amendment prohibiting prior restraint.
The only hope in the U.S. is that this legislation does not pass, or it is found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, if the legislation is ever litigated (U.S. citizens will have to suffer for at least a decade). If it is continually abused for economic or political reasons, put a fork in the U.S. because it is done--the U.S. would be just waiting to fall like Rome.
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Silly Americans
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Funny & Insightful
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What is it particularly that you find unpalleteable?
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He's my Senator. (Well, not really, he's the MPAA/RIAA's Senator) I'm a grown man with two kids and he's been in office LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN ALIVE. He represents everything that's wrong with our government and I would like nothing more than to see him retire into that cushy lobbying or consulting job that's waiting patiently for him.
The problem is that in 2012 he's probably more likely than he's ever been to get voted out. But, it won't be because he's too crazy or corrupt but because he's not crazy *enough* (see Bob Bennett).
If I thought that someone better could beat him I'd spend a significant amount of money and effort to make it happen.
Honestly, I think we're just all going to have to wait until he dies.
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To Answer the questions...
Is it American to push around our fellow nations of the world to adopt laws simply because our industry wants them to?...YES
Does the land of the free and the home of the brave really mean tucking your tail between your legs and running to daddy government because you don't know how to maximize your profit margins in the digital world?... YES
Thank god I live in Australia... while rapidly following your lead at least I can laugh at America (all it really is good for now) for a short time *sigh*
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USA vs Australia ------ no contest..
especially campared to the "mighty" US of A :D
our dollar is stronger, we have far more employment, we have if anything a shortage of skilled labour, therefore if you know ANYTHING you can get a job here, and a good one.
We have no idiots running around thinking guns are a good and fun thing.
far less crime, far more employed, far more housing and no housing crisis.
and stronger IP laws !!!!!!.. what does that tell you yanks ?
I guess, nothing.. learning is not your strong point America.
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