In terms of blocking access to an IP Address/block or domain name not hard.

Blocking it in such way that stops people trivially getting around the block, and BT run the risk of being made complicit if any blocking is so easy to circumvent that they may be deemed to have not made strong enough efforts to block a site.

James Blessing's comments are worth noting, the current CleanFeed is relatively small scale, the costs of scaling to cope with blocking large situations and highly dynamic situations may be reflected in broadband price rises.

i.e. those accessing the 'free' content, may result in everyone paying more for broadband access. In the same way that shops have to accept some degree of shoplifting, hence build this cost into the price tags.

those accessing the 'free' content, may result in everyone paying more for broadband access. In the same way that shops have to accept some degree of shoplifting, hence build this cost into the price tags.

A good analogy. Similarly taxpayers pay higher taxes to account for those who evade/avoid tax. It's the way of the world, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't attempt to stop such abuses.

Do you think maybe a mandatory levy on everyone's broadband subscription, payable to the copyright holders, might be an avenue to explore?

No

Because that would encourage people to search for the free, and feel they have justification i.e. levy has already paid for it.

So in essence, increasing retail prices to cover for shoplifting is encouraging shoplifting, and discouraging retailers from fighting the shoplifters, when they can easily recoup their costs without a struggle.

I agree that shoplifting is a fact of life, but it should not be subsidised by the law-abiding. Those who break the law should be prosecuted accordingly.

Also If Film industry was failing, however records were broken with th last Harry Potter film. Indeed how does MPA explain the following.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 had a record-breaking first weekend at the box office in the U.S.

The final film in the franchise took $92.1million on Friday, the largest opening day takings in history.

Then it shattered more records with $168.6 million in ticket sales over its debut weekend, the best three-day opening ever in the U.S. and Canada.

Edited by NilSatisOptimum (Thu 28-Jul-11 13:36:13)

Shoplifting - those that are caught are prosecuted.

But seems people protest freedom of speech etc when accussed of copyright infringement.

If one believes a vibrant media industry comprises of the films featured in the top 10 only

So if a film makes a profit at the cinema no-one should worry about downloading a copy for viewing at home?

In reply to a post by NilSatisOptimum:

Also If Film industry was failing, however records were broken with th last Harry Potter film. Indeed how does MPA explain the following.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 had a record-breaking first weekend at the box office in the U.S.

The final film in the franchise took $92.1million on Friday, the largest opening day takings in history.

Then it shattered more records with $168.6 million in ticket sales over its debut weekend, the best three-day opening ever in the U.S. and Canada.

So are you saying that if any business makes profits that you think are too high, that it is reasonable to take their products without paying?

If people want to see something they should pay the price for it - if they don't want to pay the price then they obviously don't want to watch it enough. Many people obviously willing to pay the price for Harry Potter series so it makes money irrespective of how many people might be downloading it to watch.

There are arguments that the film industry makes too much profit. Arguments that DVDs/Blu-Rays etc are too expensive. Arguments that cinema visits are too costly. However, to me none of these mean it is right to download something for free that hundreds of people have put significant effort into creating and that someone had a vision for in the first place. If a person doesn't think it is worth the money to pay gfor it then why bother to download it? Or, wait until it has been out a few years and pick it up in a bargain bin - if it's not that good then waiting a while for it shouldn't be a big issue.

Downloading copyright material does nothing to inform the industry that it is going in the wrong direction - boycotting it entirely would send a much stronger message, but then people would miss all those films that they actually do want to see but don't see why they should pay for.