NBC Universal Going After Internet Pirates

[Blade Runner]

NBC Universal Going After Internet Pirates
Galactica download controversy part of bigger MPAA war
December 15th 2004 01:28am | Posted by: Robert Falconer HNR Senior Editor

According to SyFy Portal, NBC Universal is asking Internet service providers in the US to cut off individuals caught downloading or sharing episodes of the new Battlestar Galactica series (currently airing in the UK on Sky One) using peer-to-peer file swapping software or other similar technologies. This is a ticklish issue about which NBC Universal and Hollywood in general are clearly bristling as they attempt to protect their intellectual property.

The issue has been the subject of controversy on bulletin boards in recent weeks, as the public debates the legalities, moralities, logistics and common sense regarding the way in which Hollywood is handling this issue. Here at HNR, we posted an Op-Ed piece almost three weeks ago detailing our position on the subject. You can read it here.

Hollywood and the corporate media giants are facing perceived revenue losses as technology continues to reshape the way information flows. Peer-to-peer file sharing is only one part of the problem. Television networks similarly face potential lost revenue, a subject that was discussed at length two weeks ago on CNN’s NewsNight with Aaron Brown. The example discussed focused on the effects of TiVo on advertisers. With more and more people using TiVo to record programs, the manufacturer plans to “build in” advertising flash screens in its new products. The return of “sponsored” programming was also discussed during the segment.

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[ViperPilotMomma]

Let me start this by saying I don't participate in the unlawful downloading of files (I know I'm being a real granny about this! I'm such a straight arrow, I break out into a sweat just thinking about it! )

That being said, after reading the info that Blade Runner posted and after scanning the rest of the article referenced, a couple of things occurred to me...

First - the "any press is good press" angle: Maybe this will help to create hype about the show enough to get those who don't know about it to watch it (as in 'wow! what's all the fuss about this show? I've gotta see it, too!) I haven't been watching much NBC lately and it may be early yet, but are they showing any commercials advertising the upcoming airing of the 3 hour version of the mini? Maybe this will put it on more people's radar screens. Just a possible viewpoint!

Second - TV & movie studios may need to reevaluate the current practice of launching shows and movies at vastly different times/dates around the world, if this is at all possible (that way everyone has access to it at the same time.) Or find a way to make it available on the internet so Everyone can get something out of it (yes, so they can *gulp, sigh* get their money, too. After it all just comes down to money and the power it brings!)

Again, just some ideas that popped into my head regarding this topic.

Here's to the long and sustained life of BSG!

With warmest regards of goodwill,
VPM

[Blade Runner]

ViperPilotMomma said:

Second - TV & movie studios may need to reevaluate the current practice of launching shows and movies at vastly different times/dates around the world, if this is at all possible (that way everyone has access to it at the same time.)

I think this is the most sensible way, it will remove the need to download.

[ViperPilotMomma]

Let me start this by saying I don't participate in the unlawful downloading of files (I know I'm being a real granny about this! I'm such a straight arrow, I break out into a sweat just thinking about it! )

I do also want to add (because I neglected to before ) that I am not passing judgement on those who do engage in this activity and don't want to offend, I just don't chose to do it myself. After all, live & let live!

with warmest regards of goodwill,
VPM

[Wyvar]

Well i for one do download, not just BSG but all tv and movies i watch.

Reason nr 1: i live in sweden... none of the things i want to watch is on any channel i have.

Reason nr 2: i dont watch tv, there is just no way im gonna schedule my life after a tv show, aint gonna happen.

Reason nr 3: im having a hard time seeing hollywood producers starving to death because i download stuff.

"intellectual property", what this really means IMHO is money.

Im not afraid of paying for it, for example i have the complete dvd box sets of ST:TNG and ST: DS9, if its good and i want to keep it ill buy it, but when these people start complaining about their "perceived revenue losses" i can only shake my head at the amount of greed displayed.

[Chalcedony]

I talked to SBC today about it and was completely open with them about my downloading practices and concerns, and the person that I spoke with told me that SBC will not comply with anything less than a court ruling that mandates compliance. SBC is currently refusing to cooperate with RIAA subpoenas and does not seem to have any inclination to be the RIAA's butt monkey on this matter.

So even though they have what may be the most heinous customer support in the entire universe (to get to the tech master, o young adventurer, first you must get through the treacle voiceresponse forest. Then you have to escalate through three levels of outsourcing in India. And *THEN* you can talk to a good ol' American geek who knows more about computers than God. But it takes forever), they at least won't be turning anyone over to the RIAA or cutting access unless the supreme court says so.

I hope this continues to be true.

xo
S.

[Blade Runner]

I think you are both arguing the same point

[13thCylon]

ViperPilotMomma brings up a great point about the fact that the downloading probably occurs with more frequency in the case of shows broadcasting earlier in some areas. It is ridiculous that BSG TNS is NOT on in the states! Does anybody know why? Please tell me, because I always figured that a series PRODUCED in North America & STARRING mostly North American stars should be BROADCAST here first!

I for one am not downloading but don't think there's anything wrong with doing that. And there shouldn't be any laws against it, the entertainment industry needs to friggin' get over it! The music industry (of which I have been involved on a small scale) is getting really crazy with trying to make "un-copyable" CDs and such, this is retarded because it only works with direct digital transfer. All you have to do is run RCA audio cables between 2 devices & voila! The same can be done with DVDs & tapes.

With all of the satellites in space & fiber optics & all we should ALL be able to see the same shows on the same date. I guess that countries that have different languages might have to wait a little longer, but it is silly that shows like BSG are broadcast in the UK first.

Hey, everyone, have a safe & awesome holidays!

Later........

[mjm800]

13thCylon said:

ViperPilotMomma It is ridiculous that BSG TNS is NOT on in the states! Does anybody know why?

Sky One put up a big chunk of chash to cover production costs and as part of that deal they got it first. However, if BSG is picked up for a second season the money will be there and Sky One will not have season two before the US, if anything the US and UK will have it at the same time which would be very cool.

[13thCylon]

mjm800 said:

Sky One put up a big chunk of chash to cover production costs and as part of that deal they got it first. However, if BSG is picked up for a second season the money will be there and Sky One will not have season two before the US, if anything the US and UK will have it at the same time which would be very cool.

Thanks, mjm800! I figured that was the deal. I hope that the US & UK get the show at the same time next season because, being a spoiled American, I'm not used to anyone getting "our" shows before us! It is frustrating to navigate thru boards & avoid the spoilers! Thanks again!

[kingfish]

s4.invisionfree.com/Battlestar_Pacifica/index.php?showtopic=642&st=0&#last


Looks like they are really coming down on file sharing. One major site shut down.

story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=562&ncid=738&e=11&u=/ap/20041220/ap_on_hi_te/movie_downloading_lawsuits

Popular File-Sharing Site Shuts Down

Mon Dec 20, 3:19 PM ET

Add to My Yahoo! Technology - AP

By PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK - One of the Web's most popular file-sharing sites has shut down less than a week after Hollywood announced a flurry of lawsuits against operators of such Internet servers.

A note posted on Suprnova.org, which facilitated sharing among users of the BitTorrent program, said the site was "closing down for good." The collection of links to downloadable files, including music, movies and books, was taken down.

"We are very sorry for this, but there was no other way, we have tried everything," the statement said.

Reached via Suprnova.org's chat room, the site's anonymous operator refused to comment on why it had shut down.

Last week, movie studios sued more than 100 operators of U.S. and European sites that host BitTorrent links but did not name the defendants.

Suprnova.org was the most popular repository for links to files that could be downloaded using the BitTorrent program.

Another site that carried BitTorrent links, N4p.com, said it had shut down due to a civil complaint that cited the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (news - web sites). Torrentbits.org and Phoenix-torrents.com also shut down.

Still, there were plenty of sites with BitTorrent links alive on Monday, including a "mirror," or copy, of Suprnova.org.

BitTorrent has grown quickly in popularity this year, and now accounts for more than a third of all traffic on the Internet, according to the research company Cachelogic.

The program owes its popularity in part to its immunity to industry attempts to confound it with bogus decoy files, which have swamped some other networks. BitTorrent also allows for efficient and speedy downloads.

The Motion Picture Association of America last week said it is planning similar action against operators of servers that direct data for the DirectConnect and eDonkey file-swapping services.

[zdevil996]

hey guys first post and i want to tell the monitors, great site, this will surely become one of my favorite sites....
onto the topic at hand. filmforce has a editors(dont know if its an editor) reply to universals monopoly(or them wanting 1).

filmforce.ign.com/articles/573/573890p1.html

i agree that sci fi and univerdsal is biting that hand that feeds them, i have only heard about bsg being aired overseas when they suggested to stop downloading the series. another thing is that i have been raving about this series ever since the mini. they need to embrace their viewers not alianate them.... my 2 cents

thankz
Z
i love that icon

[Xenu]

Welcome, zdevil!

Your 2¢ ain't far from mine...

[Darth Marley]

Topics downloaders should investigate: usenet, newsgroups, newsreader.