Futurama Downloads: The Ethics

[Reply #40 on:]

 

Originally posted by Kristi:
Downloading's okay because Fox already has the money from the advertisements, right? So does it really matter if you download them?

I think FOX would argue that while the ads already in the episode have indeed been paid for, it affects their future revenue when charging for ad space. However, since FOX don't show any Futurama during Sweeps periods (which, as I understand it, is when ad-prices are set) I don't see how it makes a whole lot of difference. I wouldn't mind seeing the ads on a legal download (even if I did have to pay for it). I pretty much tune ads out anyway  .

A quick question; who or what is FTV?

[Reply #41 on:]

Well like i said The situation is piss poor. ITs Broadband Oppression I tells ya. Theres this really funny picture there omewhere. ITs to do with the Ceo of telstra pretending to be a rapper, and a cap. 

[Reply #42 on:]

I download the episodes I haven't seen, I delete them once I tape them. Plus we are still in Season 3 in Australia so, its justified. It's just hard when you only have 56k.

I read an interview from the creaters of South Park and they actually wanted people to download their episodes who cant see them.

[Reply #43 on:]

 

Originally posted by CyberKnight:
A quick question; who or what is FTV?

This may be in the 'how to download' area of this topic, but they release the episodes.

[Reply #44 on:]

Fox have no case in my opinion. Sure, perhaps the RIAA may, but hell, I've given them enough of my money over the past decade to justify downloading a few songs to gauge whether I like them.

What am I supposed to do as an alternative, Fox? Go down to my local 'TV shop' and buy the new episodes..? Would they gain anything financially if I just didn't download the new episodes? I own the first two DVD sets and plan on buying the next two, so no.

[Reply #45 on:]

Did anyone see that Hilarious article on somethingawful ages ago. About who was going to take over the presidency of the RIAA?

[Reply #46 on:]

Broadcast (as defined by merriam-webster):
1 : cast or scattered in all directions
2 : made public by means of radio or television
3 : of or relating to radio or television broadcasting

See especially #2 - made public by means of ... television.  Fox has made the episode public by means of broadcasting it.  As long as the DLs are not used for profit, there should be no problem with having (and enjoying) them.

[Reply #47 on:]

Does seem a bit Hypocritical, giving the show such shabby treatment, then bitching that there are too many eps downloaded. Id Dl the eps, Watch the Show, ANd buy the dvd's. (Theres that Consumeristic Spirit just Shining through there) I like the DVD, for the Pic quality and special Features, The Tv just because its fun to watch it knowing everyone else is too. And the Dl's for conveinince's sake. Although i wouldnt waste my Usage, if i had all the eps on DVD.

[Reply #48 on:]

Well Australian Guy, I live in Perth and I'm getting 11gb a month 256k for 80/90 dollars pretty soon. What's more, downloads are free after 12pm. Pays to look at more than just Hellstra's plans 

[Reply #49 on:]

Thanks Mojo, I wasn't too sure about whether to ask the question either. I certainly didn't mean to ask anything illegal.

I reckon now that FOX is a "conventional" network, they've got all these lawyers left over from their anti-show lawsuits back in the 90s. They can't fire them (because they're too wily) so they have them go around shutting fansites and complaining about downloads  .

[Reply #50 on:]

Since all the undercover cops on Peel don't know my homeaddress yet and only the address of my local stripjoint I can safely say that I own em' all as .avi s and I have bought the 3 dvds that has been released as to this day. Also I will buy Dvd nr 4 when It's realsed on the 26:th of August.

Then I own em' all in top quality.

This post is much overdone as this could be said in two sentences.

[Reply #51 on:]

I have seasons one and two on DVD and I fully intend to purchase the rest.  I have downloaded some eps, but only because they're unavailable on DVD.

[Reply #52 on:]

I think it's fine as long as you watched it on tv first so the station gets the ratings and ad revenues.

[Reply #53 on:]

I totally feel that NOW (I mean for cancelled shows) its 100% right.

[Reply #54 on:]

Well I don't see what's wrong with it..

Considering the fact that the people who decided when the American season 3 DVD is coming out are evil, money-mongers like I expected, I'd say:

"The hell with that! Download the episodes! You're sure not gonna find them on FOX, soon enough!"

Yup, perfectly logical, perfectly vengeful. My kind of thing (heheh I have downloaded some eps I haven't seen, like Bender Should Not Be Allowed On TV... that one's priceless)

[Reply #55 on:]

Eh...I don't think anyone in the US has any kind of excuse (unless they can't afford the dvds, but as someone else said, why are they then paying for broadband?).  It may be cancelled, but it also runs four to five nights on cartoon network and at times TBS, and you can buy dvds.  This isn't some totally obscure, three episode show that will never be seen again aside from old home videotapes and internet downloads.  This show lasted 72 episodes and is still on the airwaves all the time.  Not to say Fox doesn't suck for canning the show, but its not exactly helping the creators of the show get it running again when people are illegally downloading it (sure, some people might be turned onto the show via downloads, but most people, as in people who aren't absolute fanatics and don't post at PEEL, would probably rather stick with their downloads rather then buy the dvds).

That said, my stance is more leniant regarding other countries, since its so hard to in some of them.  Same reason I'm okay with shows being pirated that aren't still on the air in some way.  If you legitimately can't get the show anywhere else then I think its fine.  Its when the show is as easily obtainable as it is now for US viewers that I have to wonder about it.

[Reply #56 on:]

I download the episodes, and I still watch them when they come on TV and buy the DVD's. I don't see how what I'm doing is hurting anyone.

[Reply #57 on:]

 

Originally posted by Beamer:
I download the episodes, and I still watch them when they come on TV and buy the DVD's. I don't see how what I'm doing is hurting anyone.

Ditto, although i'm struggling to get the DVD's
[mumbling]Season 1 still[/i] hasnt come yet  [/mumbling]

[Reply #58 on:]

Well, I bought the Season 1 DVD from Harvey Norman a few months ago. My parents have already bought the Season 2 DVD as a Christmas present for me, and they've already pre-ordered Season 3.

Anyway, my point is that downloading episodes really only hurts people if that's the only time you ever watch the show. But I still watch the show on TV and DVD on a regular basis, therefore I can't see how me downloading episodes is hurting anyone.

[Reply #59 on:]

Its not.  But I imagine a lot of people who download episodes don't buy the dvds and maybe don't watch the episodes on tv (I know that if I ever have a way of watching a show without commercials, like on tape or dvd, I wont watch it with commercials on tv) either.  This board is made up of hardcore fans who care enough to buy the dvds, but that's not neccasarily a representation of the majority of downloaders.

[Reply #60 on:]

Well I'm now not allowed to stay up in time to see Futurama on CN, and I have bought the season 1 and 2 DVDS... what I want to see are those 9 episodes I haven't seen yet. Just those.

[Reply #61 on:]

Sounds like you need a download my friend  hehe

[Reply #62 on:]

I download the episodes in season 5 only because that im living in Sweden, and we only on season 4

[Reply #63 on:]

 

Originally posted by DotheBartman:
Its not.  But I imagine a lot of people who download episodes don't buy the dvds and maybe don't watch the episodes on tv (I know that if I ever have a way of watching a show without commercials, like on tape or dvd, I wont watch it with commercials on tv) either.  This board is made up of hardcore fans who care enough to buy the dvds, but that's not neccasarily a representation of the majority of downloaders.

That's exactly it, I mean for starters 99%  of the people who post here are obviously hardcore fans, why else would you keep posting here....?
The people who only watch the show casually if it's on and then downlaod eps for their own use aren't really doing anything wrong either....

My situation is this, I have never downloaded an ep for the simple reason I don't know where to get them from (nor am I asking) as long as I get all 4 seasons on dvd, even if it takes another year I don't care....I have no need to download them, even though I'd love to see the ones I've missed and not seen yet, (or may never see)

Especially now the show is cancelled, I don't think there's anything wrong with it, all the money to be made off the show being on TV has been made (except in places where new eps are yet to be shown) and as for the dvd's, people are going to buy them whether they download or not....
Phew....

[Reply #64 on:]

There's a huge difference between "illegal" and "wrong", and I only obide by the laws that coincide with my personal code of ethics. That's all I'll say on the subject.

[Reply #65 on:]

Here's my story. Here in the US, about a year ago, there were no DVDs. So, I got the Futurama VCDs for season one that were regionless. That's when I decided to download them all, which I finally just did, finishing off the final episode last night. But, I believe that downloading episodes is wrong IF you don't buy the DVD. But, I have Volumes One and Two and plan on buying Three and Four once they're released here.

[Reply #66 on:]

... If volumes 3 and 4 ever come out...

I'm gonna buy them too. Let's face it, Fox is evil. EEEEEVVVVIIIILLLL. They're stalling on purpose, thinking it'll get them more money. Well, it will, but it's mean!

*'Asylum Happy Dance' for discovering Fox's secret plans to make money out of a cancelled show that is the best one in a long time*

[Reply #67 on:]

If it weren't for downloading episodes, I would not have refallen in love with the show. I watched part of the first season but whne football was on and Futurama was always pre-empted I stopped watching. I got the first two season's DVDs and i'll get the rest when they become available here.

I understand that downloaded episodes lack commercials and that Focks would benefit if we watched the commercials broadcasted with the show... but since watching commercials on Focks benefits Focks, i've decided to download.

[Reply #68 on:]

Heres how i see it, you would only download it if you a big fan of futurama in which case you will most lkely buy the dvds anyway so harm will it do.

[Reply #69 on:]

The majority of downloadable episodes are just ripped from TV anyway. Therefore, you'd assume most people would actually tune in to watch it instead of taking a "I don't need to watch it, I'll just download it" attitude, so I doubt the ratings take much of a blow due to downloading.

Pretty much everyone who downloads episodes would like the show anyway, so you'd imagine that roughly 95% or so people who download the episodes would have watched them on TV anyway, so it would still give the show ratings. The DVD sales would really only come from hardcore fans - and most hardcore fans would buy the DVDs reguardless of whether they had already downloaded the episodes or not. I know I did.

Basically, although there are a few bad eggs out there - one would assume that the majority of episode downloaders would still watch the show anyway, and you'd also assume that some of the downloaders would buy the DVD's too. Although downloading episodes can harm the show when it's done by the wrong person, the "wrong person" really is a small minority.

[Reply #70 on:]

"Downloading episodes is illegal", "You are hurtin the sales of the dvds", "Fox doesnt get the money they deserve"... Who Cares?? the show is most probably dead anyways. I downloaded all the eps when there were no dvds yet and now they are gone from my HD but i saved them in 15 cds and pass them around my friends, now i have the first 2 dvd series.(btw i dont live in the US)

[Reply #71 on:]

Downlading episodes is purly fine.those 2 people that belive it's illegal and stick by the law are wimps not that ive done it myself.i woud but i have the episodes on DVD and the computer dosent work for that.

[Reply #72 on:]

As of yet, I've never seen DVD-quality versions available for download.  Of course, I haven't looked recently.  Once I bought the DVDs, why would I bother?

[Reply #73 on:]

 

Originally posted by dr.bender nye:
Downlading episodes is purly fine.those 2 people that belive it's illegal

Funny thing is, according to current legislation it is illegal. No matter how you twist and turn, it's a violation of copyright. So it's not something those two people believe, it's a fact.

 

and stick by the law are wimps

Obeying the law is for wimps?

[Reply #74 on:]

i would have downloaded them but by the time i had broadband (whats the point of even trying to download them with a 56k modem!) all 4 seasons were out on DVD, so there was no need.

[Reply #75 on:]

I dl'ed them all and damn happy 4 it.

[Reply #76 on:]

Fine just fine fine just fine, fine

[Reply #77 on:]

Fine if you have, or plan on buying, the DVD's.

[Reply #78 on:]

I don't see how downloading plain episodes is any different than tape recording them from the TV.

Downloading DVD quality rips with special features is obviously different, but I still don't have much of a problem with it. I've bought all the DVDs because I like to have them, be able to lend them out, get the box art and easter eggs, etc. I don't see the need to give the utmost respect to FOX's (illegitimate) copyright if it doesn't benefit the artists, the people who actually deserve to profit off the series. I think that current copyright law is unjust, and I think it's noble to break the law when it is unjust.