To ask you your thoughts on Internet piracy?

[EricNorthmansFangBanger]

So people who use The Pirate Bay, for example?

I've been tasked with doing an advertising campaign for a section of society who are looked upon negatively. I've chosen Internet piracy and I need to reposition that section of society and portray them in a good light to the general public.

I'm trying to brain storm an advertising strategy at the minute, but I'd really appreciate knowing what people think of people who do this?

TIA

Now we are back in UK, I wouldn't download or 'pirate' TV series or films, but that is mainly through fear of getting caught rather than the actual fact that it is illegal. I admit I have never thought about the artists etc.

I suppose I don't really care that much - I agree that people see it as a victimless crime. In my mind the prices charged by Cinemas and Sky Movies etc are preposterous, daylight robbery, so if someone gave me a pirated film to watch I wouldn't think twice.

When we lived in Cyprus we used to go to a weekly market where there were 3 stalls all of whom would download films you chose there and then. They had lever arch files full of cover pictures and you could choses what you wanted - They were 5 euros each or 5 for 20 Euros. We'd go to the stall first, then spend an hour at the market before picking up our DVDs on the way back. I never had a problem buying them, and the stalls were completely open about it - so I assumed the piracy laws didn't count there?

The copies weren't always great, and generally had Greek or German subtitles, but were always watchable.

I've never tried to download free music, I wouldn't know how, or where to go to do it. However, every place we have ever lived I have known someone that can. In fact, thinking about it, the music at my wedding was probably illegally downloaded as we asked DHs cousin to get hold of it for us (the one song we wanted was out of print or whatever the music version of that it). I've never asked him where he got them, but I cannot see him paying any money out if he didn't have to.

Bowerbird and Scooby have given me pause for thought though. Maybe I should think more about the artists etc.

I have name changed as I don't want the Mumsnet police telling me off.

I have been using IsoHunt and Pirate Bay for years. I first started when I was pregnant with my DD, due to sheer boredom (and we were really badly off). I downloaded albums mostly, to the point my DH said it was almost like a pregnancy craving to have new music for free.

Pirate Bay is now closed by my ISP, which sucks as it was the best one (AXO and demonoid being my personal fave uploaders I would leach from. That's not my term, that's pirate bays).

I still use ISO Hunt now, although not as much as 5 years ago.

I do, however regularly use a service called 1channel.net, where you can stream upto date films and TV series for free. Like NetFlix without the fee.

Do I feel bad, or like a criminal? Hell no! When I don't have the time to drop the kids off and go to the cinema anymore, I don't have Sky (too expensive) I'm damned if I'm going to wait 4 years for a film to show at gone 10pm on the Beeb. I'm not making hundreds of copies and selling them down my local pub or bootfair they are for me to listen to in my kitchen as I cook and clean.

Ed Sheeran and Robbie William's have both said, if it means a fan gets to listen to their music, and is that in to it they will take a risk like illegal downloading then good on them.

And yep, I was a "top 40" recorder and used to borrow CDs from the library to record at home too.

My ISP blocked Pirate Bay, but googling "Pirate Bay Mirrors" allowed that problem to be solved. For those of you who want to watch USA streamed content but can't because of a UK IP adress then Hotspot Shield (it's legal) is your friend. Downloading may be strictly illegal but I don't see it as any worse than saving money by buying second hand books, cds etc. The cpoyright holder doesn't receive royalties from car boot sales.

I'm with scoobywoo too. I don't care about the fatcats, only those lower down the "cultural chain" - ie the creators themselves. It always surprises me how freely some posters here on Mumsnet chat about freely downloading copyrighted books to their Kindles.

LTEve it's a refreshing change to see someone even consider another point of view.

One point I feel you need to make is that these film companies make a fortune from product placement in their films. Part of the fee for product placement relates to the number of illegal downloads a movie is estimated to make. Therefore these film giants actually do make some cash out of pirates, just not the extortionate prices they would love to charge.

I was brought up to believe it is kind to share with others and selfish to keep something to yourself.

MrsRosie then perhaps you'll be sweet and share your home and your money with artists who are struggling.

Re: product placement. You don't, I'm afraid, know what you're talking about. Product placement is built into the budget of a film, so if a film gets £1000 from some company, they spend that money on the film (usually on special effects or a more expensive actor). They don't get money after the film's made. And the vast majority of films don't have product placement. It's really only an issue for the biggest, star-studded Hollywood blockbusters, or Bond films.

Artists who are struggling?

I watch Hollywood blockbusters starring A list multimillionaire celebrities.

Actually I do know exactly what I am talking about when it comes to product placement. The point is the film companies get cash for this sort of thing. What they spend that cash on is their own business. Exactly when they get this cash is irrelevant.

Prattling. Okay!

I think it is potentially useful for unknown artists and film makers to get there stuff out there with less costs - forgoing money in for recognition and building a name for future.

you tube already does this but also sees a lot of other gumph and hilarity.

but piracy is stealing

Mrs Rosie words for once fail me in the face of such .... oh forget it.

currently watching torrent of most haunted. derek acorah is funny