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Wikileaks Reveals BitTorrent Lawsuit Background

Posted by Unknown on from the one-copyright-regime-to-rule-them-all dept.

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!"

11 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. And what? by chuckymonkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Good, nice to see stuff like this. Although to be honest I don't really see anything changing. Really, what are the proles going to do? Protest? I'm sure the MAFIAA is oh so terrified of the protesters who after a day or so will get tired, go home, and watch a movie and listen to some music.

    --
    "Some books contain the machinery required to create and sustain universes."-Tycho
    1. Re:And what? by Xest · · Score: 4, Insightful

      To be fair I think it's more subtle than that. Each time people see something like this they feel ever less guilty about, and ever less desensitized to piracy.

      Each time the MPAA does something like this, they push people further and further away from legitimate services.

      I for one don't see why anyone should see the slightest guilt in downloading MPAA movies, frankly paying money to buy their product to support their existence seems more morally bankrupt than downloading, or ideally just simply not watching their content at all nowadays.

      Really, all wars in whatever context rely on either winning the hearts and minds of the people, or brutally supressing them. The MPAA in it's war on piracy is attempting the latter, yet even the latter only works as a temporary stop gap, the former is the only permanent solution, yet that's a battle they've already long lost.

    2. Re:And what? by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      My favorite is the argument that downloading TV shows is stealing.
      I pay for cableTV so I get all those channels. how the hell is it illegal for me to download a TV Show that aired on a TV channel I PAY FOR to watch it later? I'm just using the internet as a TiVo... which is 100% legal.

      And how about all TV shows that are broadcast over public airwaves? Those are free to record.

      So I gladly continue to download TV shows. and tell the MPAA,RIAA,WMAA, NCAA and WNBA to stuff it up their rectums.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:And what? by RearNakedChoke · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I pay for cableTV so I get all those channels. how the hell is it illegal for me to download a TV Show that aired on a TV channel I PAY FOR to watch it later?

      Because the laws of the land, in combination with the terms you agreed to with your cable and internet service, say so.

      Its like people think they arent responsible for the laws of their land or for the agreements they sign. If you dont like the terms, dont sign the agreement (regarding software licensing, DRM, etc). If you dont like the laws, change how you vote. 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..

      There's many times where you SHOULD say fuck the law. It was the LAW that made slavery legal. And it was "illegal", "lawbreaking" slaves that dared escape from their masters. And it took a damn war to make change, not stupid letters to their congressman. And It was the fucking LAW that made Rosa Parks a criminal. It wasn't the fucking voting booth that made change. It was people breaking stupid ass laws and going to jail that did it. And don't try to argue that slavery is different than corrupt copyright law. Of course it is dumbass. The point isn't the level of injustice, but rather that injustice is sometimes best overcome via civil disobedience.

  2. Re:Oh gee by azalin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But these studios are the victims here. Not the bullies.
    Poor, wretched victims... Where is the MPAA relief fund when they are in such dire need.
    *Glues plastic tear under left eye*

  3. Re:Just go away Wikileaks by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Is that the OFFICIAL response from the MPAA, or are you just speaking for yourself?

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  4. The Truth by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Insightful

    US Embassy fears the trial could become portrayed as 'giant American bullies versus little Aussie battlers'.

    So they are worried about the truth getting out. That is a warning flag that you are on the wrong side of an argument.

  5. Dinosaurs by Severus+Snape · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The most worrying part of the cable is they admit one of the main reasons behind the higher rate of piracy in Australia is due to wait for content to broadcast in Australia and in some cases TV series and such never been released on DVD at all. They accept this, why the hell don't they tackle the real problem then instead of sueing everybody into oblivion just because their business model fails?

  6. Movie Studios Don't Care by organgtool · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Oops. Looks like there's a little bit of egg on the movie studios' faces!

    There's no egg on any movie studios' faces. The MPAA is used as the tool to deflect hatred away from the groups it represents. If consumers directed their anger squarely at Sony, Universal, et al, then those people would likely consume fewer of their products. But since it's the MPAA we hate, we don't think anything of buying the products of the companies they represent.

    In addition to that, the cables state that the US Embassy is the one who fears the image of the United States. The MPAA doesn't care because they're used to be hated - that's become their primary purpose.

  7. MPAA and bad PR by cain · · Score: 4, Insightful

    .'' Oops. Looks like there's a little bit of egg on the movie studios' faces!"

    The movie studios do not care that the MPAA looks like goons and everyone hates them. That's what the MPAA was created to do and that's why the studio keep them funded: they take all the bad PR on behalf of the studios. They are a front to take the bad PR.

  8. Re:I will get moded into oblivion.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Is that like:

    "don't let anyone know you're homosexual, if you don't want to be persecuted for it"

    "don't dress like a slut if you don't want to be raped"

    "don't make a fuss if you don't want to be hammered down" ?

    Yup, I can totally see your point..... If I disagree with your actions than have no proven effect on me, and you have every natural right to be doing (which we do in this case, even if it's not legal, it is bloody moral) I should hit you as hard as I bloody well can.....