Following on thread Virgin - First of many

[stevenrw]

Unless I missed something it seems that the "Anti Priracy" legislation planned revolves aroung p2p/torrent downloading only.
It's obvious that HM Gov are being slobbered over by big business. I note that they are not attempting to legislate on the illegal downloads done in a "conventional" fashion, for example HC Porn images, terrorist propaganda, dog fights etc.
'scuse me while I vomit - these guys are just unbelievable
Something that does surprise me is that the Gov are trying to stop it - normally they would use it as an opportunity to raise extra tax revenue.
Seems to me that the easier solution would be if ISP's were to levy an optional flat "license" fee on top of the normal monthly charge that would enable downloads of films/music etc which could be paid to the artists, thus not criminalising the public at large. Effort could be then spent on stopping the more unsavoury downloading habits of us, the great british public.

[Rik]

That's way too sensible to be adopted, Steve. I agree, though, and find it sickening that the Govt are so concerned to help the BPI while ignoring the 'darker corners' of the net.

[madasahatter]

It's because they can score a few brownie points with the BPI, and hope gain extra tax revenue from all the millions of extra sales that the BPI have convinced them that piracy is costing them.

Not to mention the fact that this is an easy target - the "darker corners" of the net would be much harder to crack

[Sebby]

Seems to me that the easier solution would be if ISP's were to levy an optional flat "license" fee on top of the normal monthly charge that would enable downloads of films/music etc which could be paid to the artists, thus not criminalising the public at large. Effort could be then spent on stopping the more unsavoury downloading habits of us, the great british public.

Personally, I feel that something like that could potentially put a stop to illegal downloading, or at least stop it a lot. Consumers are all about good value these days, and the reality is that most don't feel that £0.79/song (on iTunes, I think) is good value. Because you can get the stuff for free (albeit illegally) people do.

Once again, I can't help but feel that the underlying issue is being missed, but then that's like everything.

[Rik]

Apple seem to be taking a long time to harmonise prices across the EU, ie drop prices in the UK, don't they? I wonder why that doesn't get the same attention from the Govt?

[Sebby]

Because they don't care.

[Rik]

Not to mention that they are enjoying the higher VAT revenues... 

[stevenrw]

Another point that is consistently overlooked, particularly in music, and to a lesser extent in films is that legal downloads (albeit at 79p a pop) only really cater for mainstream music genres. If your bag is, for example Jazz from the 20's or some other "minority" type of music (the type of stuff you need to go to specialist shops to buy) just ain't available, so specialist p2p sites are the Only way you can get hold of the stuff you want.

[Rik]

Fair point, most specialist genres simply aren't catered for by the commercial outlets, so what revenue do they lose?

[Malc]

. Consumers are all about good value these days, and the reality is that most don't feel that £0.79/song (on iTunes, I think) is good value. Because you can get the stuff for free (albeit illegally) people do.

Or for 49p in America, which is what pis**s a lot of people off.

[madasahatter]

Or for 49p in America, which is what pis**s a lot of people off.

Good point Malc - a lot of things are so much more expensive here than they are in America, and when we are talking computer downloads, they don't have any of the usual excuses (exchange rates etc). It's all a complete rip off - then they wonder why peeps don't want to pay......

[Niall]

Another point that is consistently overlooked, particularly in music, and to a lesser extent in films is that legal downloads (albeit at 79p a pop) only really cater for mainstream music genres. If your bag is, for example Jazz from the 20's or some other "minority" type of music (the type of stuff you need to go to specialist shops to buy) just ain't available, so specialist p2p sites are the Only way you can get hold of the stuff you want.

That's actually very true. I've had that problem with some blues music I was looking for a few years ago. Also, before I actually was using a PC at home, back in the early 90's I was looking for years for a certain album by Roger Waters, and for some reason it wasn't in stock. At the time I was forced to wait about 3 years before shops stocked it again because everywhere I asked for it, they didn't have it and said they couldn't get hold of it. No idea why this was the case for a recent album, but this sort of thing does apply.

[Rik]

The BBC is reporting that MEPs have rejected the moved to kick downloaders off the 'net.

"European politicians have voted down calls to throw suspected file-sharers off the net.

The idea to cut off persistent pirates formed part of a wide-ranging report on creative industries written for the European parliament.

But in a narrow vote MEPs backed an amendment to the report which said net bans conflicted with "civil liberties and human rights".

[Inactive]

I read that as well Rik, good for the EU I say...I don't download any dodgy stuff at all, however if the music etc. industry stopped charging their ridiculous prices for legit stuff, then people probably wouldn't bother doing it.

[Rik]

I find myself wondering why it's taking Apple so long to harmonise prices. They could, if they wanted to, do it at a stroke. Funny that... 

[Inactive]

Simply pure greed.

[Sebby]

I find myself wondering why it's taking Apple so long to harmonise prices. They could, if they wanted to, do it at a stroke. Funny that... 

Because they don't actually want to, Rik.

[Rik]

Ah, you spotted that too then.

[Sebby]

[Malc]

For once the EU has come up good. Stop this money grabbing gvmnt in there tracks for a change.

[Rik]

Don't bet on it stopping them, Malc. There will probably be an opt out... 

[Malc]

Can you really see 6 million peeps not being allowed an internet connection?

[Rik]

The Govt would only worry if it meant losing votes or failing to keep an election pledge. Even then, they'd blame the ISPs. 

[Malc]

So 6 million at an average of £5 per month (probably more), at 17.5%, thats £5.25 million in lost VAT per month.

Yeah, they won't be bothered.

[Rik]

Ah, but the theory is that those affected will rush out to buy CDs and DVDs instead...