Wikileaks Reveals BitTorrent Lawsuit Background 209
daria42 writes "A US diplomatic cable published by Wikileaks has revealed much of the previously hidden background behind the BitTorrent court case currently playing out in Australia's High Court, including the Motion Picture Association of America's prime mover role and US Embassy fears the trial could become portrayed as 'giant American bullies versus little Aussie battlers.'' Oops. Looks like there's a little bit of egg on the movie studios' faces!"
Re:Dinosaurs (Score:5, Interesting)
Because the MPAA, being a shield organization, can't really change that. Its members have to come to the same realization, but they're paying the MPAA dues to keep from having to confront reality.
MPAA is paid to shield the movie studios from the reality that their business model is broken. When these things "hit the fan" so to speak, the MPAA takes the flak and the movie studios hype their next release. How many people gripe that Sony, Universal, or Disney do these things? None. They blame the MPAA. Thus the real culprits never face the wrath they deserve. And because of that, they never learn the lessons they need to learn.
Re:And what? (Score:5, Interesting)
"If you dont like the laws, change how you vote."
But this is equally a rediculous argument. When parties are too focussed on corporate interests at the expense of the voterbase, through, as we've seen recently in the UK, the likes of entire political parties running shit scared of the likes of Murdoch, then what use is voting when it comes to such things? On such issues most Western countries simply can't be classified as democracies as democratic principles are ignored when legislation is made surrounding things like saner copyright laws.
"But dont try to push some "I can do whatever I want and then act outraged when the courts disagree" nonsense, part of being an adult is that you put childish ideas behind you.."
Except many adults would disagree with you, and in fact, so would history.
Pirate radio in the UK in the 60s and 70s was instrumental in creating the UK's thriving private and public sector radio broadcaster market today. At the time law meant that radio was limited to literally only a select few stations, but because pirate radio persisted, government finally, over 20 - 30 years eventually realised that the only way to solve the problem was to give consumers what they want, not to fight them, because it's a fight that government and other vested interests cannot win.
The ideas you see as childish are the types of ideas that have kept democracy thriving. Bowing down blindly to government and putting faith indefinitely in a corruptible political system is naive at best.
I will get moded into oblivion.... (Score:4, Interesting)
But the simple answer is, stop pirating content and they will stop taking you to court.
Regardless of peoples "I want it therefor since they are not providing it I will find a way to get it without their consent and give it away to all my friends" actions and attitudes the content is the property of the creators and it is their right to distribute it in the manner and time of their choosing and no one elses.
Why Piracy rates in Australia are high (Score:4, Interesting)
Australians are getting ripped off, and are jack of it, so piracy is increasing. No surprises there.
Some examples:
The AUD and USD are close enough to each other to be comparable.
Netflix Streaming only subscription in US - $8 per month UNLIMITED.
Streaming service in Australia (no Unlimited subscription services exist as far as I know.
Bigpond movies $6/movie. Sony on PS3 $6 or $7/movie, Quicklix $6/movie
New release DVD purchased in Australia (Battle: Los Angeles) - $30
New release DVD purchased in US (Battle: Los Angeles) - $20
New release Blu-Ray purchased in Australia (Battle: Los Angeles) - $40
New release Blu-Ray purchased in US (Battle: Los Angeles) - $30
2D Cinema Ticket in Australia - $15.50
2D Cinema Ticket in the US - ~$10.00