Quote:
Originally Posted by Antithesis
As for rewarding innovation, again, not to turn this into Apple fanboi takes on the world, but if Apple is innovating enough to allow you a way to legally obtain movies, music, and TV shows, while watching them on 5 devices (that's more than anyone has mentioned specifically needing in this thread), shouldn't they be rewarded, instead of people insisting on using "legacy devices" to watch DVDs? Yes, I know you already purchased the DVD, but did we complain when we were 'forced' to move from VHS to DVD? I honestly don't remember because I never really personally owned any videocassettes so it wasn't a big deal. Hoping not to come off as Mr. High Horse again, but people seem to be complaining when the answer they seek is right in front of them!
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I think that the big difference between the migration between VHS and DVD is that there were some benefits to consumers. Digital, more compact, better quality video and sound, etc. My DVD already has that, so I shouldn't have to purchase a new digital copy and receive no benefits. For all intents and purposes, I already have a perfectly capable digital copy on the DVD. Even for digital copies there is a two-tiered model already. I pay X price for standard definition, and Y price for high-def. There is a benefit for the consumer to pay the higher price, if they wish.
Companies are starting to bundle a digital/portable copy in with their DVDs and Blue-Ray discs. I think that this is a good start - it at least provides some flexibility. Unless the industry is going to provide a digital/portable copy to anyone who has ever purchased a disc so they can use it on other devices, they really shouldn't be pushing for criminalization of breaking a lock for personal use.
If I were to break it down to one major sticking point, is that copyright law used to be about balancing the rights of both sides. If you purchased a CD or DVD, you could use that for your personal enjoyment however you saw fit, as long as you weren't benefiting commercially from it, or distributing it. Seems fair to the user, and the entertainment companies wouldn't have received 3 or 4 sales from the same user anyway - that's crazy.
Of course, it seems like we're going down the path towards paying for the same content again, and again, and again. Or maybe people will not see the value anymore and just start pirating it.
Now we are faced with a situation where the media conglomerates have successfully convinced the government that these measures are necessary. Stopping a law-abiding, legally-purchasing customer from using that content for personal use will do absolutely nothing to stop piracy. Go after the uploaders, the distributors, etc. Make the ACT of piracy illegal instead of propping up restrictive DRM with archaic legislation. I just feel a little cheated because I see myself as one of the "good guys". Someone that the industry should be proud of, and not someone who should be hung out to dry at the mercy of lawyers for my "crimes". I bought music and movies when it was cheaper and easier to get them for free. Mainly because it was the right thing to do and I felt that it was a fair transaction with a benefit to me. Now, for the simple request of wanting to watch one of those movies on my iPod without paying for it a second time, or on my media server without paying for it a third time, people like myself are essentially risking our financial well-being. Aren't we what the industry wants and needs - paying customers?