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MPAA Boss Admits SOPA and PIPA Are Dead, Not Coming Back

concealment points out comments from MPAA CEO Chris Dodd, who has acknowledged that SOPA and PIPA were soundly — and perhaps permanently — defeated. Quoting Ars Technica: "Dodd sounded chastened, with a tone that was a far cry from the rhetoric the MPAA was putting out in January. 'When SOPA-PIPA blew up, it was a transformative event,' said Dodd. 'There were eight million e-mails [to elected representatives] in two days.' That caused senators to run away from the legislation. 'People were dropping their names as co-sponsors within minutes, not hours,' he said. 'These bills are dead, they're not coming back,' said Dodd. 'And they shouldn't.' He said the MPAA isn't focused on getting similar legislation passed in the future, at the moment. 'I think we're better served by sitting down [with the tech sector and SOPA opponents] and seeing what we agree on.' Still, Dodd did say that some of the reaction to SOPA and PIPA was 'over the top' — specifically, the allegations of censorship, implied by the black bar over Google search logo or the complete shutdown of Wikipedia. 'DNS filtering goes on every day on the Internet,' said Dodd. 'Obviously it needs to be done very carefully. But five million pages were taken off Google last year [for IP violations]. To Google's great credit, it recently changed its algorithm to a point where, when there are enough complaints about a site, it moves that site down on their page — which I applaud.'"

186 comments

  1. Exactly as they want you to think by 54mc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Make you think it's dead, that way when they bring it back under another name, you won't notice.

    --
    Joy! Beautiful spark of the gods!
    1. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Its dead until the elections are over, then don't be surprised if it comes back.

    2. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by EmperorOfCanada · · Score: 5, Insightful

      These bozos don't realize that they have lost control of information. Once you put information out it and people want it the information will go everywhere. Before they could release a movie and they controlled the flow of the physical film, then they released the video cassette and again they could mostly control this (some piracy) but now the only control they have is mostly at the film editing level. In the past they abused this control by releasing the films slowly around the world. People in Canada thought it sucked as we got the films after the US but people in Britain really thought it sucked as they got them long after us and much of the world had to wait for video. Places in Africa had theaters that showed video-taped films on big screens.

      But now the film companies have put up so many barriers to my seeing their stuff that piracy is logical. I go to the theater for a 9:15 film arriving say 9:05. For those 10 minutes the theater blasts cell phone and car commercials at me. Then at 9:15 they start showing trailers and around 9:30 the film begins but not really it is advertizements for the various levels of production company and more advertisements for the actors and directors so maybe around 9:32 I am seeing a movie that I payed $13 for nearly 30 minutes earlier. Renting a movie is much the same except that I don't know where to rent movies anymore. But if you do get a blue ray most players won't let you skip past the various warnings and even sometimes the trailers.

      Now compare that to pirating a movie. Download time 5-10 minutes, cost almost nothing, restrictions: none. So you set the download, get the download and fast forward to the exact moment the real movie starts.

      But the one restriction is that it is slightly hard to do. Most people will have difficulty getting a movie onto their computer, finding the file, sending it to a large TV somehow, and then controlling the movie. And this is where the movie industry has a chance. They could make it really easy for most people to use any box (game consoles, apple TV, roku) like netflix and just get the movie for a reasonable price. If the theater charges me $13 don't think you can either charge me more (for my convenience) or anything even close; I know that if you are distributing it directly to me that you have a huge savings so at $2 per movie I will happily watch a zillion movies; at $9.99 a movie I'll find a better use for my money.

      This brings me to another point. In this modern age people are finding better uses for their money so don't blame all your dropping revenues on piracy. A blockbuster video game can make billions, that money is coming out of people's entertainment budget which once went to movies and music.

    3. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by spikestabber · · Score: 4, Informative

      You mean just like the TPPA is doing? Its already back, and its as bad/worse as ACTA. They simply shifted their tide to secret trade agreements again.

    4. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...and it's called TPP, Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, should ACTA fail. They can still do it without the EU, since Canada and Europe have CETA with the leaked version identical language to ACTA. After the defeat of ACTA they will have to re-word it a bit, but the gist will remain the same.

      Bottom line for US voters: you will not see copyright & patent reform with either the Democrats ("think of the starving artists!") nor the Republicans ("think about the bottom lines!").

       

    5. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by viperidaenz · · Score: 2

      But why would they want to sell you a movie for $2 that you can invite the whole neighbourhood over to watch as many times as you like when they currently charge $13 per person for a one-time viewing and then 6 months later charge you $20 for the DRM protected dvd/bluray full of advertisements?

    6. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Applekid · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Its dead until the elections are over, then don't be surprised if it comes back.

      Only if one party controls the legislative branch and the executive and it can get rubber stamped through.

      Otherwise, there was enough negative publicity about the effort that I think either side would jump at the opportunity to claim that they are the true defenders of the internet by blocking bad legislation.

      --
      More Twoson than Cupertino
    7. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by rtfa-troll · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Its dead until the elections are over, then don't be surprised if it comes back.

      Oh so innocent; thinks he's so cynical. This is a thing that big media agrees with small (commercial) media agrees with commercial interests. The arms industry doesn't want you getting your information independently; the consumer industries want you to read their ads; the media doesn't want you to compete with them.

      At this very moment the Intellectual property provisions of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership are being negotiated in secret. This is yet another treaty negotiated by the type of people that brought you the WIPO. Their aim is to basically to make it so that SOPA / PIPA is forced upon all nations without any chance of a democratic debate.

      This will not be reported on unless people have actually already succeeded in stopping it. The election doesn't matter since nobody will hear about it even if it is going on.

      --
      =~ s,(.*),<sarcasm>$1</sarcasm>,g if any_point_you_wish();
    8. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by dubbreak · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Because of price elasticity. Price it lower more people (will potentially) buy. I think with how things are going with theatres and media sales it's a pretty safe bet.

      E.g. Make crappy movies I'd never go to in the theatre or purchase on any medium $0.99 and I might decide it's decent popcorn fodder. Blockbuster that's just out? I'd be willing to pay more. But as long as I don't have advertisements etc shoved down my throat before getting to watch the film.

      I think any worries about inviting the neighbourhood over or sending the file to someone else (if it's drm free) are just that, worries (with no basis in reality). Make it cheap enough and it's not worth someone's time or hassle to save a few bucks. I have a big TV, good sound system, comfortable seating, I can drink booze if I want to (cheaply at that), better popcorn (imho), I can order any type of food I want.. etc etc. The theatre has no draw to me. Why would I want to sit around with a bunch of strangers that talk and text during the movie?

      The market has been ready for direct from studio downloads for almost a decade. The studios just have to get with it.

      --
      "If you are going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
    9. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because currently charging $13 per person etc. is causing them to not sell their movies anymore. It isn't making as much money. They would make more money doing something else. More money is good, right? The idea behind capitalism is that two parties make mutually beneficial trades. Each party gains something. The more trades you make, the better off everyone is. MPAA can make more money by making customers happier. Like the easy-box thing the GP suggested. I'd buy that. I actually like spending money on things I enjoy, now that I have money. But it's still often easier to just download stuff.

    10. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by SternisheFan · · Score: 2

      You said you don't know where to rent movies, I borrow dvd's from my library. Not that this helps you if you want to see a new movie asap. If you don't mind waiting a few weeks+, libraries are a great alternative, assuming yours has a decent selection. I've been able to catch up with all the films I deem worthwhile this way, at no cost to me.

    11. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by LtGordon · · Score: 1

      Nothing to see here! Just go about your lives as normal...

    12. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by gmuslera · · Score: 4, Insightful

      2 parties, 1 set of bosses. No matter which one of the 2 options you pick, both have the same set of people giving orders behind, at the very least in this particular topic. US constitution should be edited putting "We the lobbyist" at the start of it to describe reality.

    13. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      *deep, deep sigh* Look, MPAA, listen. You people were the ones who deluged our pop culture with movies written with shitty stories where the big evil shadowy overlord admits defeat, only to walk into some shadowy back room with other shady people and laugh about how "those fools" have let their guards down and now Plan B will kick in whenever the sequel gets made. You with me here? We've seen this movie a billion times. And you wrote it!

      At what point did you expect this plan to work? Are you seriously just as shallow and predictable as the B-movie horse shit you made for us? Or has your entire existence been making movies of what you actually, honestly think is a legitimate reflection of how actual, real people behave?

    14. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Safety+Cap · · Score: 1

      Renting a movie is much the same except that I don't know where to rent movies anymore. But if you do get a blue ray most players won't let you skip past the various warnings and even sometimes the trailers.

      1. Rent from Red Box: $1.32/night.

      2. Rip it to laptop

      3. ???

      4. WATCH IT WITH NO RESTRICTIONS!

      --
      Yeah, right.
    15. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I go to the theater for a 9:15 film arriving say 9:05. For those 10 minutes the theater blasts cell phone and car commercials at me. Then at 9:15 they start showing trailers and around 9:30 the film begins but not really it is advertizements for the various levels of production company and more advertisements for the actors and directors so maybe around 9:32 I am seeing a movie that I payed $13 for nearly 30 minutes earlier.

      Wow! Seriously, where do you go to watch movies with such insanely fast and speedy service? I'm sure I don't live near there, but would make a point to stop when I am there in my travels.

      In my town you are Lucky to see a 9:15 film anywhere before 10:30 with all of the commercials and ads and more commercials and trailers and cell phone talking warning videos and then cell phone commercials disguised as no talking videos and more commercials....

      I always arrive at the theater 30 minutes after start time, which gives me a nice 15 minutes to leisurely smoke in my car, and still get inside and find a seat before the movie starts

    16. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      But why would they want to sell you a movie for $2 that you can invite the whole neighbourhood over to watch as many times as you like when they currently charge $13 per person for a one-time viewing and then 6 months later charge you $20 for the DRM protected dvd/bluray full of advertisements?

      Because cinemas cost money to run, DVDs cost money to distribute....downloads don't cost them anything.

      --
      No sig today...
    17. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by c0lo · · Score: 2

      Make you think it's dead, that way when they bring it back under another name, you won't notice.

      But some do notice

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    18. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by cdrguru · · Score: 3, Informative

      The biggest problem with a worldwide release of a movie is the big question - what do you allow in?

      In the US a pair of tits will get you an R rating instantly - which is fine, if that is the audience you are shooting for. If you want a PG-13 movie for the US audience, you have to cut the tits. Or, in a R movie in the US you can show female pubic hair - except if you want to release the movie in Japan that would instantly have it blocked. There are other rules for EU countries as well.

      And then there are the other markets. Have a scene where someone is holding a Bible in a courtroom? Such a movie cannot be distributed in an Islamic country, or at least most of them. Want a movie where the hero is wearing a turban? Good luck

      It gets absurd. They thought they could capture this in eight bits with DVD region coding, but that wasn't really sufficient. What it means today is pretty much anything outside the US gets stuck with everything being cut that could possibly be objectionable to anyone, anywhere. Maybe the US version is less chopped but think about a movie made for an adult EU audience - they are going to have to cut it for the US!

      The fact that the entertainment industry at all levels has to deal with this is silly and it throws a lot of extra costs into it. I am pretty sure it is filtering into games today as well. Certainly music has had some run-ins with this sort of issue. The problem is there is no worldwide standard and there isn't going to be any time soon - certainly not until someone like SPECTRE takes over the planet and declares themselves to be Dictator for Life.

    19. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by innocent_white_lamb · · Score: 2

      I own and operate a single-screen movie theatre in a small town.

      I try to start my show within five minutes of the advertised start time (depending on how many people are still in the lobby getting their popcorn and whatnot), and I play between zero and three trailers before the start of the actual movie.

      --
      If you're a zombie and you know it, bite your friend!
    20. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by jxander · · Score: 2

      In the US a pair of tits will get you an R rating instantly

      Unless the movie is directed by James Cameron, and the tits are a spectacular pair, such as Kate Winslet's.

      Then you'll get away with PG-13

      --
      This signature is false.
    21. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by noc007 · · Score: 2

      I'll repeat a quote I heard in regards to when we get a new President: "Same bullshit; different asshole".

    22. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      The record profits every year, even through the 'financial crisis' at the box office in spite of increased ticket costs seem to contradict you

    23. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      Downloads cost them servers and bandwidth.
      If you take away the cinemas, you lose the profits from the over priced food.
      If you lower the price of your product, you lower the perceived value
      If your customers are accustomed to a particular price point, selling below that point will lose you more profit than you'll recover by increased sales.

    24. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because they are hallucinating that the balance sheet will make them more money the way they are doing it. And, because they want to believe in their own beliefs (who isn't defensive about their beliefs) and they seem to have a sense outrage that they are being ripped off. Maybe some don't.

      I am far from an expert, but I would think that with some movies they may do better charging $13 (plus parking and / or popcorn and or soda makes it $20-30) than having some download for $3 which is easy to do. And with other movies it may be the other way around.

      Wonder how much influence the movie theater owners, not the movie companies, have in all this?

    25. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Jason+Levine · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This (piracy beating movie theaters on convenience) is why services like Netflix are so important. Netflix is easier than piracy which tips the scales back into the studios favor. Except the studios see Netflix as a pseudo-pirate robbing them of DVD sales (instead of an ally turning would-be pirates into paying customers). Therefore, they restrict what content Netflix has access to and wind up cutting off their own nose to spite their face. Other services, like Amazon VOD, are good, but more expensive. (The Avengers is $3.99 for a 48 hour rental. For just the price of 2 Amazon VOD movie rentals, you can get a month of Netflix streaming.)

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
    26. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by TubeSteak · · Score: 2

      Its dead until the elections are over, then don't be surprised if it comes back.

      It's dead.
      But this article sucks. It only obliquely touches on what Dodd has said is their new plan:
      Quietly engage private industry to crack down on copyright infringement.

      Their new plan is more or less the same as the old plan, but it will be done in corporate board rooms instead of behind closed doors in Congress.
      Arguably, their new strategy is even worse for the public, since we will have almost no ability to influence the conversation at any point.

      Google will silently tweak their search results, Facebook will quietly ban certain websites from being linked, banks will stop processing payments for certain companies, etc.

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    27. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Trogre · · Score: 2

      Yes, but when Democracy of government fails (which it has in the US), then resort to Democracy of capitalism. Your wallet. Vote with it. Starting now.

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    28. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by antdude · · Score: 1

      5-10 minutes? Sheesh, what type of pipe do you have?

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
    29. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is the new Protection Of Overlords act (POO) and they are going to POO all over our faces.

    30. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by EdIII · · Score: 2

      I love the Japanese. A little pubic hair and a flash of vagina? No No No No No. You pixelate that shit right now.

      A bunch of tentacle monsters hanging little schoolgirls in the air while they are violated in every orifice? Yep. Totally Okay. Let's distribute it everywhere.

    31. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Brannoncyll · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Downloads cost them servers and bandwidth. If you take away the cinemas, you lose the profits from the over priced food. If you lower the price of your product, you lower the perceived value If your customers are accustomed to a particular price point, selling below that point will lose you more profit than you'll recover by increased sales.

      Mod poster Funny?

      "Downloads cost them servers and bandwidth." - meanwhile everyone and their dogs are downloading their movies over bit-torrent at no additional cost to either them or the movie makers.

      "If you lower the price of your product, you lower the perceived value" - for the last 10 years untold millions of people have been downloading their films for free. I think they're long past the point of having to worry about the 'perceived value' of their product!

      "If your customers are accustomed to a particular price point, selling below that point will lose you more profit than you'll recover by increased sales." - addendum: If your customers are leaving you in droves and you refuse to change your pricing strategy, and instead try your very hardest to piss off the people who you should be trying to woo, then you deserve everything you get.

      No sympathy from me.

    32. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      If your customers are leaving you in droves

      That's the point though, they're not. The movie industry has been posting record box office profits every single year for the last few decades, with no sign of slowing down, despite the world going through a financial crisis.

    33. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by gmuslera · · Score: 1

      Maybe some way to express yourself is still available, if enough people actually vote, but for noone, they could get a hint. Voting with your wallet still gives your approval to whatever i.e. freedom stripping that will do next government (if keeps current government trend, both alternatives probably will keep it).

    34. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by WhoBeDaPlaya · · Score: 1

      What is dead may never die...

    35. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anarchduke · · Score: 1

      exactly, from the summary, "He said the MPAA isn't focused on getting similar legislation passed in the future, at the moment."
      Next Tuesday, thought, won't be at "this moment", so the future next Tuesday looks pretty good for starting the process over again.

      --
      who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain
    36. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Trogre · · Score: 2

      I meant to vote out the incumbent lobbyists who effectively "own" the politicians who come and go much more often. These lobbyists have influence because they have money. They have money because of a revenue stream, and that stream comes from people opening wallets to them.

      To vote with your wallet is to choose where you spend your money. If you have disposable income, buy your music from ethical places such as Magnatune instead, or donate to a worthwhile charity such as EFF or FSF.

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    37. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anarchduke · · Score: 1

      and if the 'democracy of capitalism' fails, there is always the democracy of making rivers of blood flow. The guillotine was a very humane method of execution, nearly instant and virtually painless. I propose we build a nice big guillotine somewhere and start carving names down the side. Starting with all of the board of directors of the MPAA/RIAA

      --
      who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain
    38. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anarchduke · · Score: 1

      and then if we need it all we need to do is cross off names.

      --
      who prays for Satan? Who in 18 centuries has had the humanity to pray for the 1 sinner that needed it most? ~Mark Twain
    39. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by AliasMarlowe · · Score: 1

      Yes, but when Democracy of government fails (which it has in the US), then resort to Democracy of capitalism. Your wallet. Vote with it.

      The problem with that approach is that your voting power becomes proportional to your disposable income. It's a prescription for domination of the "democracy" by an entrenched elite.

      A relatively small number of very affluent persons could out-vote/out-purchase/out-lobby a much larger number of average persons. Their motivation for participation in such an endeavour would also increase with disposable income, so the disparity would be even greater in practice. Of course, the poor would have no "vote" at all, and would be kept that way.

      --
      Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
    40. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by davester666 · · Score: 2

      Except they'll switch tactics. Instead of a standalone bill, they'll bury it in other legislation, like say, a bill for authorizing military spending. And they'll change titles and heading to different acronyms, change up the wording a bit and bob's your uncle.

      Then it becomes "You can't vote against this unless you are against our men and women in the Armed Services! You terrorist lover!"

      Same shit is happening here in Canada with Harper's latest idea of democracy, omnibus bills. Just put all the legislation for six months in one bill, have a meaningless debate on it [same time limit as other bills, only it's two orders of magnitude bigger than 'regular' legislation], then pass it on a simple majority.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    41. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One of the reasons the tentacles exist is because male genetalia can't be shown, so they take the place of the phallus in porn. People present it as some kind of dichotomy, when in fact one is just an attempt to find a replacement for the other.

    42. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But instead of having to use a VPN or change your DNS you can just use a site other than Facebook or a search engine other than Google.

    43. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My thoughts exactly. I suppose they hope that all the people concerned about (and who fought valiantly against) SOPA and PIPA and SHIPA and SHMIPA and POPPA or whatever, would somehow be stupid enough to buy his "Aww shucks, I guess we lost, we'll go away and sulk now, you've won, and even though we have been claiming that piracy costs us trillions of dollars every minute that people don't have big brother poking into their asses to make sure they're not stealing what's ours, we've lost and we're prepared to be good sports about it..."

      Dream on, asshole. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and we know this. We will continue to watch every piece of legislation this group of dickheads considers, for which you've bribed them, and bring it to people's attention when they try to pull the next big-brother bullshit on us.

      However, bear in mind, fellow freedomistas, that every piece of legislation they try to sneak by will be more draconian and ridiculous, because it will have to pay what they like to imagine, in their diseased, syphilitic brains, they've lost, plus all the costs associated with buying off public officials with SHIPA and SPOAO, etc., PLUS the cost of their next abomination. Just watch out. Pretty soon it will be life in prison for pirating anything, and you will be guilty until proven innocent, then still guilty anyway. Mark my words.

    44. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by shiftless · · Score: 0

      But why would they want to sell you a movie for $2 that you can invite the whole neighbourhood over to watch as many times as you like when they currently charge $13 per person for a one-time viewing and then 6 months later charge you $20 for the DRM protected dvd/bluray full of advertisements?

      Because it sure beats nothing i.e. $0--which actually is in fact what these assholes getting from me right now. Piracy FTMFW

    45. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by shiftless · · Score: 0

      Downloads cost them servers and bandwidth.

      How much bandwidth does bittorrent cost?

      If you take away the cinemas, you lose the profits from the over priced food.

      ....which goes to the cinemas, not the production company. In other words you cut out the middle man and nobody loses, except the middle man.

      If you lower the price of your product, you lower the perceived value
      If your customers are accustomed to a particular price point, selling below that point will lose you more profit than you'll recover by increased sales.

      This makes absolutely totally no sense when applied to movies. You think somebody is going to refuse to see the latest action packed drama with big stars because the price is too low? LOL.

    46. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 1

      The kind of money which affords lobbyists isn't found by retailing purchasing. It's from government contracts. Your tax pays for government schemes, which go to businesses, which pay for lobbyists, which get the government to approve spending tax on...

      Why do you think so many ex politicians get jobs in the private sector, or big name guys in industry get government positions? Revolving door, circle jerk... Call it what you want. Just don't think that listening to Jamendo instead of iTunes will actually make the slightest bit of difference. The whole thing is autonomous now.

      --
      Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
    47. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Trogre · · Score: 1

      This "approach" is not optional - if you are in society you are already a part of it. You have money, maybe a lot, maybe a little, but once the bills are paid you can choose where any extra goes, however little that may be. The next time you buy a movie ticket or a song off iTunes you are voting for the current lobbyists.

      My recommendation is to vote *against* current lobbyists such as the RIAA/MPAA by simply not giving them any more money (ie not buying their crap) so they can't keep doing what they are doing.

      That is something both the rich and poor alike can do.

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    48. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (This is the same AC)

      Kudos to the small business owner that actually wants to do things right!

      We used to have a theater down town setup similar, with only two screens.
      Two doors down was a pizza takeout joint, that delivered to the theater, which in the back of each (studio? screen?) was two large tables taking up most of a row of seats, where groups could sit and eat while watching a movie.

      I used to LOVE that place, and sounds very similar of an atmosphere you describe. I do miss it so.

      AMC really did a bad number in this town, buying up most theaters and the few good small ones shutting down :(

      I honestly do wish you the best of luck and business!

    49. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by jollyreaper · · Score: 1

      Netflix is easier than piracy which tips the scales back into the studios favor.

      This. I actually have shows I pirated and didn't get around to watching that I'm now finding time for via Netflix. It's available on my media PC, laptop, phone, wherever I am. And because I have a hard time making out dialogue with the shitty sound mix everyone does these days, subtitles are a lifesaver. I'm usually stuck going to subscene or some other site for anything I've pirated. Netflix is so stupidly simple it's far easier than pirating.

      But shit, they ruin Netflix, I can go back to pirating easy-peasy.

      --
      Kwisatz Haderach
      Sell the spice to CHOAM
      This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
    50. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Brannoncyll · · Score: 1

      If your customers are leaving you in droves

      That's the point though, they're not. The movie industry has been posting record box office profits every single year for the last few decades, with no sign of slowing down, despite the world going through a financial crisis.

      That is true, although Hollywood accounting is notoriously unreliable.

    51. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by webheaded · · Score: 1

      THIS! Dear god this. I cannot tell you how much it enrages me the way they treat Netflix. I am more than happy to watch TV/movies there and would be glad to pay $20 a month if it meant ALL the TV and movies I could watch.

      --
      "Those who would sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - BenF
    52. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by scot4875 · · Score: 1

      Yeah, McDonald's and Coca Cola's fortunes are almost *entirely* due to government contracts.

      Derp.

      --Jeremy

      --
      Jesus was a liberal
    53. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the US a pair of tits will get you an R rating instantly

      Airplane (1980) did this in one scene and got a PG anyway. So how did that happen?

      CAPTCHA: contour (How apt! :D)

      [That's what it was, I messed up and the CAPTCHA is now 'trapped' :(]

    54. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by inject_hotmail.com · · Score: 1

      Sometimes one simply can't cast a vote with one's wallet. How many dollars did you choose not to spend on Halliburton's supply of rotten food to the troops?

      This is the problem with government. It is forcing an agenda upon us. THAT is what lobbying is all about, and what the constitution is supposed to protect us against. When 'we the people' don't get a chance to provide input on a decision in ballot or wallet form.

    55. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In the US a pair of tits will get you an R rating instantly

      Airplane (1980) did this in one scene and got a PG anyway. So how did that happen?

      Times, tastes, and standards changed a LOT in the past 32 years, is what happened.

    56. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe the US version is less chopped but think about a movie made for an adult EU audience - they are going to have to cut it for the US!

      This scene from a Swedish movie was censored by the US distributor. It is not just US government regulations which censors movies intended for an US audience... and the censoring usually make no sense at all.

       

    57. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by strikethree · · Score: 1

      And then there are the other markets. Have a scene where someone is holding a Bible in a courtroom? Such a movie cannot be distributed in an Islamic country, or at least most of them. Want a movie where the hero is wearing a turban? Good luck

      Pure hyperbole. I saw Avatar in 3D in an Islamic country and they held a piece of cardboard over the camera during the "sex" scene. Other than that, the movie was unaltered (and extremely popular!). Plenty of movies have a hero wearing a turban. The only way a movie with a christian bible in it would be banned from an Islamic country would be if the rest of the movie were blasphemous according to their standards. Chillax, but do not stop fighting censorship.

      --
      "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
    58. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      2 parties, 1 set of bosses.

      If by "set of bosses" you mean "whoever gives them enough money", then yes.

      Yes, but when Democracy of government fails (which it has in the US), then resort to Democracy of capitalism. Your wallet. Vote with it. Starting now.

      Actually it started a while back and some people are (apparently) just now realizing it.

    59. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Dextrously · · Score: 1

      While it would definitely suck if these companies took on policies for the sole purpose of promoting the interests of another company, regardless of damages it might inflict on the public. We still have a choice to use another service.

      If Google can't find what you're looking for, we'll find another search engine. If Facebook is stopping you from sharing information with your friends, people will find a new medium to share that information over. If banks stop processing payments... pretty sure that is illegal, so after switching to a different bank, and possibly pressing charges against your current bank, that would be resolved as well.

      On the upside, when sharing something that *might* be protected by copyright is blocked, at least it won't be a criminal act that will put you or your loved ones behind bars.

    60. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by oreiasecaman · · Score: 1

      If you want a PG-13 movie for the US audience, you have to cut the tits.

      Ouch... that's gotta hurt. Tell me, is this why all those Hollywood stars put silicone then, to replace those lost tits?! :D

      --
      This is a UDP joke, I don't care if you get it or not...
    61. Re:Exactly as they want you to think by Hylandr · · Score: 1

      It's Already Passed.

      In the Philippines.

      Who cares right? Remember ACTA?

      Cybercrime Prevention Act
      http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/10/02/the-philippines-passes-the-cybercrime-prevention-act-that-makes-sopa-look-reasonable/

      ACTA
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Counterfeiting_Trade_Agreement

      Now all Obama has to do is sign a treaty extends their laws here too. Wait... That's already happened too...

      There has to be one hell of a fight in gov't circles to keep our freedom ( that's left ) or there's going to have to be one hell of a fight with other means.

      - Dan.

      --
      ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
  2. I'm paranoid by DaWhilly · · Score: 5, Interesting

    SOPA and PIPA were stopped because people found out.. What if this is just misinformation while they prepare something behind the scenes?

    1. Re:I'm paranoid by interkin3tic · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You'd call that paranoia? I'd call that "not being born yesterday."

      OF COURSE they're preparing something identical behind the scenes. They haven't STOPPED being greedy, stupid, shortsighted, corrupt assholes. Chris Dodd and everyone else who would rather screw over the public domain for a very small theoretical increase in profits, THEY are not the ones who are dead and never coming back. It's a damn shame too that they don't all slowly and simultaneously die of hemorrhoids.

    2. Re:I'm paranoid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      The behind-the-scenes "thing" that they're hiding is the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement)

      https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp

      Read and be informed!!!!!!!!

    3. Re:I'm paranoid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You mean like working directly with ISPs to kick you off of the Internet without needing to involve law enforcement or the courts? Nah, they'd never do that.

    4. Re:I'm paranoid by c0lo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      SOPA and PIPA were stopped because people found out.. What if this is just misinformation while they prepare something behind the scenes?

      If? There is no if

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    5. Re:I'm paranoid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How dare you suggest that Chris "I will not work as a lobbyist" Dodd would try to misinform!

    6. Re:I'm paranoid by strikethree · · Score: 1

      I am not saying that TPP is not dangerous but it concerns me that the Wikipedia entry you linked to has this as the very first point:

      Include a number of features that would lock-in as a global norm many controversial features of United States law, such as endless copyright terms.

      While it seems that the copyright terms are endless and could arguably called such, it is not helpful to classify them that way. If we are to fight against things, we need to accurately and intimately know the reality of that which we are fighting. Copyright terms are clearly spelled out (to last for a thousand years now? I am unsure) but, they ARE clearly spelled out.

      It would be smarter to call them extraordinarily long with the possibility that the copyright terms may be extended yet again by law.

      --
      "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
    7. Re:I'm paranoid by DirtyLiar · · Score: 1

      The behind-the-scenes "thing" that they're hiding is the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement)

      https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp

      Read and be informed!!!!!!!!

      Tell President Obama to stop the TPP Here:
      http://www.publicknowledge.org/Tell-White-House-Ensure-OpennessTPP-IP-Chapter

      --

      THINK! It's patriotic

    8. Re:I'm paranoid by DirtyLiar · · Score: 1

      LOL

      --

      THINK! It's patriotic

  3. I hate to be that guy, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I have a bad feeling that something worse is waiting for us down the line...

    1. Re:I hate to be that guy, but... by drcln · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I have a bad feeling that something worse is waiting for us down the line...

      Exactly. That something worse will be the persistent steady erosion of rights and the criminalization of activities with extreme penalties. Bit by bit they will get what they want. Their mistake was grabbing at the powers they wanted too fast.

      In the U.S. they've won on the constitutionality of statutory damages that bear no relation to actual harm. Essentially that is a private criminalization of a commercial tort.
      They're winning on extradition more than they are loosing.
      Megaupload is gone. Everyone else is scared.
      In Japan, downloading a song is now a criminal act that can get you two years in jail.
      And on, and on . . .

      So, do they really need SOPA or PIPA?

      --
      your gravity fails and negativity don't pull you through
    2. Re:I hate to be that guy, but... by SternisheFan · · Score: 1
      In Japan, downloading a song is now a criminal act that can get you two years in jail. And on, and on . . .

      and or something like $25,000 usd per "offense".

    3. Re:I hate to be that guy, but... by c0lo · · Score: 1

      I have a bad feeling that something worse is waiting for us down the line...

      Maybe this?

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    4. Re:I hate to be that guy, but... by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 2

      Down the line? Try Right Now!

    5. Re:I hate to be that guy, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Down the line?

      Police are already raiding places, taking servers, and and arresting webmasters.

    6. Re:I hate to be that guy, but... by DirtyLiar · · Score: 1

      I have a bad feeling that something worse is waiting for us down the line...

      With good reason.

      And it's closer than you think.
      https://www.eff.org/issues/tpp

      Tell the President how you feel about it.
      http://www.publicknowledge.org/Tell-White-House-Ensure-OpennessTPP-IP-Chapter

      --

      THINK! It's patriotic

  4. Unintentional honesty by Tackhead · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Every studio I deal with has a distribution agreement with Google," said Dodd. "We've divided up this discussion in a way that doesn't really get us moving along as a people."

    Translation: Dammit, what part of "cartel" have my clients forgotten they once understood?

  5. No evidence of change by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I wish I could believe him, but he hasn't given any indication of what his new alternative plan is. I can only imagine he hasn't changed much if at all and the new plan is more of the same under a different name.

  6. Conspiracies by H3xx · · Score: 2

    That's just what they *want* you to think. O__O

    --
    "Ubuntu" - an African word meaning "Slackware is too hard for me."
  7. Doesn't matter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Remember the supporters of this kind of thing come November.

  8. Phew by TorrentFox · · Score: 0

    For one terrifying moment, I misread the headline as "SOPA and PIPA Not Dead, Coming Back". Even still, we'll have to stay vigilant.

    1. Re:Phew by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For one terrifying moment, I misread the headline as "SOPA and PIPA Not Dead, Coming Back".

      Yes I understand that basic literacy is so difficult for some that they feel an irresistable urge to run to the discussion and inform us all of how terriby confused they were. The nice thing about written words is that you can keep them on the page and re-read them over and over as many times as it takes to comprehend what they say. For most of us, that's once. For you, feel free to take your time.

    2. Re:Phew by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 1

      Some of us already are. http://stoptpp.org/

  9. Electronic Democracy by jamesl · · Score: 4, Insightful

    'There were eight million e-mails [to elected representatives] in two days.' That caused senators to run away from the legislation.

    So, now we know what to do to prevent or get rid of Dodd-Frank and other pieces of idiotic legislation.

    1. Re:Electronic Democracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Put a notice on Google's front page?

      I suppose you can just do that whenever you want?

    2. Re:Electronic Democracy by SirGarlon · · Score: 1

      So, now we know what to do to prevent or get rid of Dodd-Frank and other pieces of idiotic legislation.

      The same thing we've always done. Use something called "the will of the people." Amazingly, it still works.

      --
      [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
    3. Re:Electronic Democracy by interkin3tic · · Score: 2

      Yes, we need to not be apathetic about our rights being eroded. Knowing is different than doing, sadly.

    4. Re:Electronic Democracy by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 2

      "So, now we know what to do to prevent or get rid of Dodd-Frank and other pieces of idiotic legislation."

      What really gets me is that it was totally unnecessary. There was absolutely no need for that last-minute "explosion"... people had been telling their Congresscritters all along what they thought of SOPA and PIPA, they just didn't listen.

      It took a BIG, and rather firm, kick in the ass to get them to pay attention. But that's not the way government is supposed to work. We aren't supposed to have to whip them to get them to actually work for us.

    5. Re:Electronic Democracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      BAAAAHAHAHAHA! Man, have I got a bridge to sell you.

      Have you not paid any attention whatsoever for the past decade. In a battle between "the will of the people" and "Oh look, our organization just donated a few million dollars to your campaign", the battle isn't even remotely, slightly close.

      Hint: The will of the people don't win the battle.

    6. Re:Electronic Democracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amazingly, it still works.

      So you haven't heard of these newfangled concepts called "mass media" and "social engineering" then?

      Will is designed. I know, because that was my job. (And you can not hate me as much as I hate myself, now that I have decided to quit. There’s a reason half of us are drug addicts.)

    7. Re:Electronic Democracy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nah, that was a one-off situation, only allowed because it was backed by Google and the like.

      If they were to receive millions of emails coordinated instead by some guy on Facebook, they'd arrest the facebook guy for inciting a cyber attack, and fine everyone who sent an email for being part of a coordinated DDOS.

  10. Read this in Brando mode by paiute · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Don Corleone: So, Dodd will move against you first. He'll set up a meeting with someone that you absolutely trust, guaranteeing your safety, and at that meeting your Internet will be assassinated.

    --
    If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
  11. Let's complain... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    about the MPAA web site.

    1. Re:Let's complain... by SternisheFan · · Score: 1

      Democracy fights in anger —it fights for the very reason that it was forced to go to war. It fights to punish the power that was rash enough and hostile enough to provoke it —to teach that power a lesson it will not forget, to prevent the thing from happening again. ~ George F. Kennan

  12. They should be happy. by ZorinLynx · · Score: 4, Insightful

    These people are making money hands-over-fist. Billions of dollars flowing into their pockets.

    Why do they feel they "need" to do anything about piracy? The vast majority of people will pay for their content. Even I, who used to pirate things like crazy when I was a teenager (due to complete lack of funds) now pay for my stuff since I can afford it.

    They should instead find ways to make it easier for customers to buy their media. Look what they did for music; it's DRM free now and so convenient to buy from numerous places, and it all plays on pretty much every device out there. They should do the same thing for video content. Make it so when I pay $10 to download a movie, that it's truly MINE, and I'll gladly buy more movies online.

    It's not hard. Yet they are stubborn jackasses and continue with this war of theirs. Reminds me of the equally pointless "war on drugs".

    1. Re:They should be happy. by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 2

      Reminds me of the equally pointless "war on drugs".

      In terms of pointlessness, I'd say it's even worse. They're trying to stop people from copying data, and it's nearly impossible to catch anyone to begin with.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    2. Re:They should be happy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      These people are making money hands-over-fist. Billions of dollars flowing into their pockets.

      Are they really? I seem to recall someone saying that the likes of Apple could buy the RIAA with pocket change. I imagine the MPAA aren't that different.

    3. Re:They should be happy. by queazocotal · · Score: 1

      Totally agree.
      I regularly pirate content - simply as I can't have it on all my devices otherwise.
      For example, I reread books I liked after a few years.
      Why on earth would I be happy with a cloud solution that probably is not going to be there in the next decade?
      Barring the total collapse of western civilisation, I can pretty much say I'll be able to read epub/html/txt.

    4. Re:They should be happy. by SirGarlon · · Score: 5, Informative

      Make it so when I pay $10 to download a movie, that it's truly MINE, and I'll gladly buy more movies online.

      But that is what the RIAA and MPAA really want to prevent. "Piracy" is just a pretext that gets the politicians on their side. Their real goal is to revoke the idea of owning a copy of a book or movie, and "monetize" all digital "content;" that is, lock you in to paying them every time you want to review/view/listen to anything.

      --
      [Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
    5. Re:They should be happy. by baker_tony · · Score: 1

      You sir have certainly hurt a nail's head by hitting it.

    6. Re:They should be happy. by blackest_k · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Is it a pointless war on drugs?

      While the use of cannabis is mostly harmless, when used responsibly, ignoring what the state will do to you if you are caught in possession. Most others do have pretty negative effects in the long to medium term.

      Just about every weekend here. There are reports of single vehicle collisions, generally fatal, in the early hours of saturday and sunday mornings. You can probably read that as someone out of their face on something decided to drive somewhere. They tend to be teens to mid twenties, it is a sad waste of life.

      There are probably a good number of people here who quit drug use, due to the realisation that it would mess up their lives if caught and maybe mess up their lives if they just over indulge. The present situation at least encourages people to be a little discrete, would open legal use of drugs result in more deaths?

      Then again the current situation currently funnels money to some pretty ruthless individuals, and who wouldn't want to see them out of business.

      Don't both situations come down to don't take the piss, keep your head down and you'll be able to get what you want. Draw attention to yourself and you will be in trouble. Maybe the 'industry' is coming to the realisation that some tolerance is required or it will resort in damage to the bottom line. Still think it will not be long before greed sets in again.
               

    7. Re:They should be happy. by Grave · · Score: 1

      Apple is unique, in that they really could buy damn near anything they wanted with pocket change. Most companies would take out a loan to purchase something worth tens of billions, but Apple could do it without putting much of a dent in their cash reserves. According to Wikipedia, in 04, $30-$40 billion in music was sold. So yeah, they are making billions and billions. And yes, Apple could buy them without much thought.

    8. Re:They should be happy. by amRadioHed · · Score: 2

      Nothing is worse than the war on drugs. How many people a year are killed due to the war on piracy? How many people are imprisoned for mere possession of pirated materials?

      --
      We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
    9. Re:They should be happy. by Type44Q · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Their real goal is to revoke the idea of owning a copy of a book or movie

      Their real real goal is to get rid of "The Printing Press, Second Edition," aka the Internet, at least as we know it.

    10. Re:They should be happy. by Nursie · · Score: 2

      Those single vehicle collisions are probably drunk people.

      The war on drugs causes -
      1. Money to be funnelled to cartels
      2. Devloping countries to be in permanent states of civil war
      3. Users' lives to be wrecked for a crime that harms only them
      4. Users to die from impurites, unknown substances and unknown strengths
      5. Billions of dollars that could go toward actual harm reduction to be spent on militarising the police
      6. People with no relation to the drug war to get shot by those police
      7. A myriad of other negative effects

      'keep your head down, don't take the piss' is a great way to perpetuate injustice and murder. Just because it's not happning in your back yard doesn't mean much.

      I'm not saying legalise everything with no restrictions, but there's got to be a better way than the way we're doing it now.

    11. Re:They should be happy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think open legal use will result in more deaths, people will be able to do the drugs in public so it is more likely when someone has too much or something there will be someone around to call for help or possibly do something to help the situation. Whereas otherwise they'd just be with other drug addicts in a back room/alley somewhere and no one around to help if something arises.

    12. Re:They should be happy. by gmuslera · · Score: 1

      Calling them piracy, and intellectual property are the firsts problems.

      Copying and evolving information is in our very nature, in fact, what makes us humans and not weird looking monkeys living in the wild is that we copied, and kept doing so. Civilization, religions, language, cultures, etc, all is copying, and we teach our children to do that since they born.

      Digital media and internet just enhanced our ability to copy, is the natural thing for us to do. It can only be improved letting us to evolve that information, to enhance, adapt, specialize or customize that copy. Probably one of the biggest strengths of open source software is that enables that, and shows clearly the potential of it

      And this is not about rewarding or not authors or recognizing their work. Probably most if not all of us would be glad at the very least to pay a beer to i.e. the author of a song/book/software we enjoyed, if not a lot more. Maybe would be nice to have a system to donate to the people, group, or even companies that did something you liked or used, for everyone that creates something. That system could have the problem of people falsely claiming owner/authorship of something they didnt, but with the actual system happen the same, a lot of times from the very people/corporations what lobby for laws for "protecting" intelectual property.

      What are the alternatives? Stopping evolution of society? Virtual slavery? Oligarchy?

    13. Re:They should be happy. by countach · · Score: 1

      Cannabis is not "mostly harmless". I watched it drive my ex-wife insane.

    14. Re:They should be happy. by CanHasDIY · · Score: 2

      Reminds me of the equally pointless "war on drugs".

      The purpose of the "war on drugs/personal freedom" is to provide three-letter-agencies with an essentially fool-proof way to launder untold amounts of money for their other, off-the-books ventures, such as black ops and wetwork.

      Still stupid, still bad, but far from pointless.

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
    15. Re:They should be happy. by cdrguru · · Score: 2

      The vast majority will not pay for content. I don't know anyone who pays for music any longer - they just grab what they want for free.

      Why are the media companies making money today? Because they are receiving payments in lucrative markets where promotion has value and they have a huge segment of the population either scared to download or incapable of it because of lack of connectivity. Unfortunately, both groups are pretty much confined to 40+ years of age and in many places it is more like 60+. These people will be moving out of purchasing stuff like this fairly soon - when was the last time you saw Granny using the pay-per-view at the rest home?

      Music is a joke today. It has zero value and in most places this is recognized. There are no more "record stores" - about the only place left selling CDs is WalMart and the CD section is biggest in poor areas where people do not have Internet connectivity at home. Sure, if you want to spend money there are many places to do so - but virtually nobody is spending. Everyone points to iTunes as a big success, except they have maybe 2% of the download traffic. Sure, they are doing fine with the service because it fills a need for the folks that can't (or won't) pirate. But do not believe for a second that even Apple expects people to fill a 64GB iPod with paid-for music.

      Movies still take so long for Joe Sixpack to download that even if he had the computer equipment and the Internet connection he would not. So Joe has no choice but to spend money - but the pirates are getting a stronger and stronger foothold which means movies are making it into the $5 bin at WalMart earlier and earlier.

      The prices might fall, but this is going to be a last-ditch desperation move not the introduction of a new nirvana of low, low prices. When the prices start coming down you can expect to see the 20-disc collections being advertised late nite on cable channels. Everyone will see there is no future revenue coming so it will be a huge push to grab what little there is left.

      What happens after that?? Good question. Personally, I think we will see more and more productions like Yentl - Barbra Striesand paid for that because (a) she had the money and (b) she wanted to make it. Nobody else would have cast a 40+ year old woman as a teenager, but she did for herself. OK, it was a good gamble and I believe the movie made money - but the point is she would have done it even if it would have made $0. Who do you think paid for "The Expendibles" - right, Stallone. We are going to see more and more of this because it will be known from the beginning that movies aren't going to be making money.

      Right after the ego productions will be the ad placements where Coke pays for a 90 minute movie showing everyone drinking Coke and dissing Pepsi. You can't imagine what lengths the ad placements will go to and it will be obvious and disgusting to most people. But enough will watch that it will be a whole new genre of ad-supported movies.

      After that? Maybe patronage where some rich guy pays to have a movie made about his wonderful life. Maybe government-sponsored films where we get to see how wonderful life in the military is or how awful your life might turn out if you don't put down that joint RIGHT NOW!!! The point is, the revenue will be gone in a lot less than ten years and maybe less than five. A lot of people - millions - will be out of work because of this and the ripple effects throughout the economy. But the pirates will have won the day and the whole catalog from the last hundred years or so will be online and available for free.

      Just don't expect anything more to come along anytime soon. Least not of any quality. Think Yentl and Reefer Madness and those the are high points.

    16. Re:They should be happy. by cdrguru · · Score: 0

      While the use of cannabis is mostly harmless, when used responsibly.

      I don't know anyone that I would consider uses cannabis "responsibly". The whole idea is to put "responsible" in a little box and shove it under the couch or out in back by the trash cans. Leastwise until Monday. Maybe Tuesday on some weeks and those aren't the usual Federal Monday holidays.

    17. Re:They should be happy. by cdrguru · · Score: 1

      What exactly do you do with a schoolbus driver that is high? Once it is legal to use but not legal to do some things while high what happens to current job filtering where they disallow drug users completely?

      Obviously, what happens is the people that have no sense continue to not use sense. While there are a lot of people that can sensibly use alchohol and drugs, check out the changes in class roster between the first day of freshman classes and the start of the 2nd semester at any large state university. You hand some people freedom to get high and drunk and they exercise that right to the limit. University of Illinois (one I know about) loses at least 25% of the freshman class the first semester and has for 20+ years. It is just something they live with.

      This is not a problem that is experienced in other countries, at least not to the level it is in the US. Which is why they can have all the legalized drugs they want in Europe.

      For the US it has nothing to do with allowing open legal use and standing by to watch lots of responsible use. It is all about employers having to scrap drug testing because drugs are suddenly legal to use. It is all about there being no such thing as responsible use for maybe 20% of the population of the US. If you don't fall into that category, great, but do not discount the fact that plenty of people do. Far, far more than we want to have showing us a fine example.

    18. Re:They should be happy. by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      I said in terms of pointlessness . I believe the war on drugs is far worse, but at least some of the people behind it have (somewhat), in my opinion, noble intentions. I also believe they're completely wrong, but that's not the point. The only thing at stake with copyright infringement is potential profit. I find that to be an absolutely pathetic reason to push draconian laws.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    19. Re:They should be happy. by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 2

      How do you know it was because of cannabis? Not only that, but that's just anecdotal evidence.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    20. Re:They should be happy. by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 2

      it is a sad waste of life.

      I think one problem is that people are too emotional about the issue. Some people don't seem to want to allow any casualties whatsoever and wish to live in some fantasy land where no one ever dies. It's very likely not possible, and that same attitude is what leads us to 'solutions' like the TSA: security theater at the expense of freedom.

      There are probably

      Key word: probably. That's not a sufficient reason to curtail individual freedom in the name of safety, in my opinion. I see it like this: if they use drugs, that's their own fault. No need to say that nobody can use drugs just because some people abuse them and/or because it harms their health. That's very similar to collective punishment and makes whatever nation with those policies seem like a nanny state.

      would open legal use of drugs result in more deaths?

      If they can't prove that it would, I do not believe there should be any laws against it. Actually, even if they could, I still don't believe there should be a war on drugs.

      I don't care for how certain people (not necessarily you) use 'safety' as an excuse to curtail certain individual freedoms.

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    21. Re:They should be happy. by PlusFiveTroll · · Score: 1

      > It is all about employers having to scrap drug testing because drugs are suddenly legal to use.

      WTF are you going on about? You can be fired for smoking cigarettes, which if you're over 18 is perfectly legal. Your entire post is pretty nonsensical.

    22. Re:They should be happy. by cheekyjohnson · · Score: 1

      The vast majority will not pay for content.

      I don't know anyone who pays for music any longer - they just grab what they want for free.

      Do you know a vast majority of the population, or am I missing something?

      --
      Filthy, filthy copyrapists!
    23. Re:They should be happy. by jd659 · · Score: 1

      Parts of this is already true today. Some movies are already directed by the government, there's a random movie rating body that can block any movie for whatever reason and not be responsible to anyone, modern movies are already filled with product placement to the brim. The movies are not made to make people think, but rather to extract as much money as possible from the viewers.

      What needs to happen for the exciting content to be made is to shorten the copyright to something short like 3 years or abolish it altogether. The people with a passion for movie making will be able to reuse characters and create better plots, reuse music for more powerful effects, and create completely new and exciting plots. We already have a relatively efficient distribution in place (the Internet) and the tools to make it happen are very affordable. The stumbling block is the copyright and the outdated distribution model that controls the laws.

      --
      There's no such thing as "illegal download"
    24. Re:They should be happy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      go offline - read a book

    25. Re:They should be happy. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't think the other person that replied to you tore a strip off of your stupid post hard enough.

      What exactly do you do with a schoolbus driver that is high? Once it is legal to use but not legal to do some things while high what happens to current job filtering where they disallow drug users completely?
        - you fire his ass! Exactly, 100% the same as if he were drunk! How did you not realize this?!?

      Obviously, what happens is the people that have no sense continue to not use sense. While there are a lot of people that can sensibly use alchohol and drugs, check out the changes in class roster between the first day of freshman classes and the start of the 2nd semester at any large state university. You hand some people freedom to get high and drunk and they exercise that right to the limit. University of Illinois (one I know about) loses at least 25% of the freshman class the first semester and has for 20+ years. It is just something they live with.
        - Yes, some people will go overboard. However, even confirmed by your quote of 25%, the VAST MAJORITY do not. AND, it's also the fact that for their entire life growing up, these things were 'taboo', so of COURSE they're going to overindulge when they first get a chance. But again... the vast majority do not. And maybe if such things weren't so ridiculously taboo (such as nudity as well in america), maybe people wouldn't get so batshit insane the second they hear about it, since they have no clue how to react to it.

      This is not a problem that is experienced in other countries, at least not to the level it is in the US. Which is why they can have all the legalized drugs they want in Europe.
        - Citation please. Right off the top of my head, I can think of at least another half-dozen 1st world countries where this is a problem. Several of those are in Europe. You may want to narrow your scope down a bit.

      For the US it has nothing to do with allowing open legal use and standing by to watch lots of responsible use. It is all about employers having to scrap drug testing because drugs are suddenly legal to use. It is all about there being no such thing as responsible use for maybe 20% of the population of the US. If you don't fall into that category, great, but do not discount the fact that plenty of people do. Far, far more than we want to have showing us a fine example.
        - And again... the VAST MAJORITY are responsible types. Why are we imposing rules to limit the rights of the VAST MAJORITY, because the tiny minority of people harm themselves? As others have mentioned, with any 'harm' caused, the brunt of it is people harming THEMSELVES. I would assume that an absolutely massive portion of any violence towards others is caused by the fact that it's entirely black-market (ie: see war on drugs). If shit were not specifically legalized, but at least decriminalized, then whup, there go the absolute majority of the drug trade's income, and violence caused by the far on it.

      tl;dr: You're as dumb as a sack of doorknobs, and I weep that you're one of the people allowed to vote.

    26. Re:They should be happy. by strikethree · · Score: 1

      These people are making money hands-over-fist. Billions of dollars flowing into their pockets.

      Once you have had billions of dollars flowing for a while, most of that money is tied up in "obligations". Kind of like how your needs grow with your means. It is always desirable to have money above and beyond your means. The question here is how unethical are they willing to be to get this money over and above their means. I suspect this question has been answered too.

      --
      "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
    27. Re:They should be happy. by d3jake · · Score: 1

      I think Johan Gutenberg is rolling in his grave.

    28. Re:They should be happy. by shiftless · · Score: 0

      What exactly do you do with a schoolbus driver that is high?

      Well, I don't know. Are they impaired? Is a guy who gut high once and is clearly impaired, or an every-day-all-day smoker whose tolerance is up and isn't really impaired at all?

      What if it's a nicotine or caffeine junkie needing a fix, or who just got his fix? OMG what shall we do about that?! I mean come the fuck on. Stop being so goddamn ignorant. Cannabis is harmless and beneficial. Smoke a joint, or better yet a hundred or a thousand joints, and see for yourself.

  13. Quack by onyxruby · · Score: 4, Insightful

    To paraphrase a politician (who's name I don't know). "If it quakes like a duck, walks like a duck and looks like a duck, it is a duck."

    Censorship is censorship, just because it is done by a corporation doesn't some how magically make it better. The fact that they manipulated Google into doing their censoring for them doesn't somehow make it clean just because the government wasn't the one doing it.

    I don't buy that they aren't engaging in censorship just because they don't have the government doing it on their behalf. For the average person, they would be hard pressed to find an alternative that isn't censored.

    1. Re:Quack by dkleinsc · · Score: 3, Funny

      If it quakes like a duck

      I've never met a duck who was capable of even playing Quake, much less having an identifiable style!

      --
      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    2. Re:Quack by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      If it quackes like a duck, walks like a duck and looks like a duck, it is a duck, shoot it with your shotgun while it's in the air.

    3. Re:Quack by Dekker3D · · Score: 1

      Are duckquakes anything like earthquakes?

    4. Re:Quack by MythMoth · · Score: 1

      Joe McCarthy. You probably don't want him on your side of the argument.
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy

      --
      --- These are not words: wierd, genious, rediculous
    5. Re:Quack by Raul654 · · Score: 2

      Not quite:

      Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916) may have coined the phrase when he wrote "when I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck."[1][2] The phrase may also have originated much later with Emil Mazey, secretary-treasurer of the United Auto Workers, at a labor meeting in 1946 accusing a person of being a communist.[3]

      The term was later popularized in the United States by Richard Cunningham Patterson Jr., United States ambassador to Guatemala during the Cold War in 1950, who used the phrase when he accused the Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán government of being Communist. Patterson explained his reasoning as follows:

      Suppose you see a bird walking around in a farm yard. This bird has no label that says 'duck'. But the bird certainly looks like a duck. Also, he goes to the pond and you notice that he swims like a duck. Then he opens his beak and quacks like a duck. Well, by this time you have probably reached the conclusion that the bird is a duck, whether he's wearing a label or not."[4]

      --


      To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
      --E.C. Stanton
    6. Re:Quack by Artifakt · · Score: 1

      I thought it was an aimbot when he got off that perfect thousand yard railgun shot during the triple backflip, and then I heard his victory trashtalk - "Affffflllaaaccckkk!"

      --
      Who is John Cabal?
    7. Re:Quack by TaoPhoenix · · Score: 2

      Tip, if Slashdot is going to improve, the posters need to do a little more work.

      "Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley (1849â"1916) may have coined the phrase when he wrote "when I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck."[1][2]"

      --
      My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
    8. Re:Quack by strikethree · · Score: 1

      I've never met a duck who was capable of even playing Quake, much less having an identifiable style!

      You clearly have not played as much Quake as I have. :P

      --
      "Someone needs to talk to the tree of liberty about its ghoulish drinking problem." by ohnocitizen
  14. I wish by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They stopped trying to push the same bullshit in other countries. These pieces of shit go around the world trying to strongarm countries into SOPA-like bills.

    The problem is they have a LOT of money, and to lots of legislators in a lot of countries, a couple of hundred ks is the difference between getting by and "living the life".

    I wish I had a testicular cancer gun. I would point it in their general direction.

  15. Reading between the lines by ddd0004 · · Score: 2

    This is going to require a much less direct approach and a larger bag of money

  16. living or dead, both are ok. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is the undead you have to fear.

  17. It's a trick... by Fned · · Score: 1

    Get an axe.

  18. We can only hope by dosius · · Score: 1

    I highly doubt they're dead forever. They WILL be back, and more insidious than ever.

    -uso.

    --
    What you hear in the ear, preach from the rooftop Matthew 10.27b
  19. Wise man once say... by ChinggisK · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's a trap!

    1. Re:Wise man once say... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A wiser man once say...

      Be careful, It's a trap!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrDw1jt-7II

  20. Dodd should be happy. by TsuruchiBrian · · Score: 2

    He is lucky he isn't in jail where he belongs for his role in the financial collapse. This piece of shit was receiving benefits (i.e. bribes) from the mortgage industry in exchange for helping to pass laws to keep a corrupt system going as long as possible at taxpayer expense. It's fitting that he is the head of the MPAA. I am not sure that this organization can be properly administered without a giant douchebag at the helm.

  21. As a magician might do... by Howard+Beale · · Score: 1

    don't watch the hand he's putting in front of you, watch the hand behind his back. Don't trust them for a second.

  22. The MAFFIAA are licking their wounds... by Sydin · · Score: 1

    Within a year they've had SOPA and PIPA blown out of the water by that every annoying "democracy" thing, and ACTA got slammed from every angle in the EU before floundering in the parliament. The 'AA's realize this approach is failing, so now they're stepping back to consider their options. If you honestly think they've given up on getting SOPA-like legislation passed, you're dead wrong. They've just realized they have to go about it in a much more clever way, and get the laws passed in small enough pieces to not cause another uproar. Dodd isn't saying "Well that didn't work, we give up!" He's saying: "Plan A failed, so now we're switching gears to Plan B."

  23. Kill it with fire. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It is the only way to know for sure.

    1. Re:Kill it with fire. by desdinova+216 · · Score: 1

      I thought you had to nuke it from orbit to be sure?

  24. can we agree on fair use rights? by swschrad · · Score: 1

    like for instance, I have this content here "that I bought," which means "I bought a limited personal use license with a physical copy of the content in one format," and that the copyright acts almost uniformly around the world permit making copies, as many as I want, of the content in alternate formats, as long as I do not lose/sell/toss-to-torrents my original copy and only utilize one copy at a time?

    --
    if this is supposed to be a new economy, how come they still want my old fashioned money?
    1. Re:can we agree on fair use rights? by jitterman · · Score: 3, Interesting

      That's always been my take on it. Depending on age, one could theoretically have purchased media (let's use music) on each of: vinyl, 8-track, analog tape, CD, digital tape (DAT), MP3 with DRM, then MP3 sans DRM. Probably extreme, but the point here is a sale of the same content, to the same person, could possibly take place seven or so times at retail price each time. I don't now and never have felt this is fair to the consumer.

      Especially in the case of vinyl and metallic tape (including video tape), the physical media degrades with time and use; if (as the industry argument goes) I am purchasing the privilege to view/hear the content, then I should only have to purchase it once. If the material breaks down, or a better format emerges, I should be entitled to a copy in that format. I'll grant a small price to cover manufacturing costs if the item is physical, but if it's 100% digital even a small fee is indefensible if I've previously purchased said media rights, and THAT implies that I would be doing nothing wrong in obtaining a copy from alternate sources once I've paid my "right to consume" fee.

      --
      For conscience is the wound, and there's naught to staunch it
  25. False flag by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    False flag, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_flag it is dead in name only. Does a bill by another name smell as shitty?

  26. Search engine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I ditched google and am currently using startpage. Is there any alternative that doesn't censor or use googles data set? Information likes to be free, and so do I!

    1. Re:Search engine by causality · · Score: 2

      I ditched google and am currently using startpage. Is there any alternative that doesn't censor or use googles data set? Information likes to be free, and so do I!

      You can use Startpage's sister company ixquick.com. It's just like Startpage except it's their own search engine that is not dependent on what Google does.

      It's not quite as high-quality but it's been more than good enough every time I've tried it.

      --
      It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
  27. filter goes on every day by fermion · · Score: 1

    DNS filtering goes on every day on the Internet
    I agree completely. For instance China is highly skilled in this. Iran is building a whole independent internet. Perhaps the MPAA would be happier making these their primary hubs of operation, places that are skilled in the art, so to speak. I don't think many in the western world would shed a tear if they chose to so do.

    --
    "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
  28. DNS Filtering != Google Takedowns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    " 'DNS filtering goes on every day on the Internet,' said Dodd. 'Obviously it needs to be done very carefully. But five million pages were taken off Google last year [for IP violations]. "

    Google takedowns are not the same as DNS filtering. This just shows basic lack of understanding of Internet architecture from those that are in the legislature and how they confuse (intentionally or non-intentionally) far reaching Internet architecture concepts with company control concepts to further their agenda.

    http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/05/dns-filtering-absolutely-the-wrong-way-to-defend-copyrights/

  29. They Learned Their Lesson: Avoid Democracy by Chibi+Merrow · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yeah, the RIAA/MPAA isn't going to try any more "Stop teh pirates!!!1!" bills anytime soon. They will probably try a few more disguised as cybersecurity legislation, tacking on copyright maximalism onto "think of the children!!!" alarmism. But that's all irrelevant.

    The important lesson they learned is this: Accomplish your goals in an arena where there's no pesky democratic process to worry about. Instead, they push ACTA (which still isn't dead), and TPP (which looks to be significantly worse than ACTA). And they label them as "trade agreements" (even though they're obviously treaties), that way they don't have to deal with that pesky Senate that seems to respond better to millions of voters than millions of dollars. Yep, now they can do ALL their business in secret, back-room deals, and skip that entire public review phase.

    And then, once the U.S. is signed onto these treaties, Congress gets the easy out: "We have to bring our laws into line with our international agreements!"

    --
    Maxim: People cannot follow directions.
    Increases in truth directly with the length of time spent explaining them
    1. Re:They Learned Their Lesson: Avoid Democracy by misexistentialist · · Score: 1

      Don't forget private agreements like "Six Strikes"

  30. It's interesting... by DougInNavarre · · Score: 1

    to see what topics the people come together on. I guess being able to freely watch entertainment is more important than the economy :/

    1. Re:It's interesting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      if a few sites could just put up a black page and we'd all get jobs as a result, i'm sure we'd find
      some way to make that happen

  31. STFU by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dodd is a prime example of everything wrong with government. Being in the tank for MPAA while in office and being promptly rewarded for it when he leaves. Fuck him I don't care what this corrupt asshole thinks or says.

  32. dodd by P-niiice · · Score: 1

    Still, Dodd did say that some of the reaction to SOPA and PIPA was 'over the top' — specifically, the allegations of censorship, implied by the black bar over Google search logo or the complete shutdown of Wikipedia.

    "Okay, we lost but you guys are still wrong and you suck for how you did it" doesn't sound like someone who learned their lesson.

  33. Not to give them any ideas, but by Sydin · · Score: 1

    I'm surprised they've yet to just attach similar language from PIPA/SOPA to some "Stop Child Pornography Bill". I don't care how invested they are in internet freedom, I very much doubt Google is going to come out against any bill with such a title.

  34. My eyes, by KraxxxZ01 · · Score: 1

    they hurt from all this dust.

    1. Re:My eyes, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Use the goggles.

  35. SOPA and PIPA are dead... by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 2

    ... but you'll love SIPA and POPA!

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  36. Dodd? Seriously? His record speaks for itself by Virtucon · · Score: 1

    As a Senator this guy was key in screwing up things for us as citizens well beyond his new role with the MPAA. Dodd-Frank and his other forays into trying to bring order where order didn't need to be invested is going to haunt us for years to come. Shit, it would be better if Jack Valenti rose from the dead and ran the MPAA than this idiot. Sorry, this guy is a chode and he wants to screw you over in any way he can. From this.

    On January 17, 2012, Dodd released a statement criticizing "the so-called 'Blackout Day' protesting anti-piracy legislation."[26] Referring to the websites participating in the blackout, Dodd said, "It is an irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information and use their services. It is also an abuse of power... when the platforms that serve as gateways to information intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests."[26] In further comments, Dodd threatened to cut off campaign contributions to politicians who did not support PIPA and SOPA, legislation supported by the MPAA.[27]

    Disservice? PIPA and SOPA are disservices to consumers everywhere and he should be ashamed of himself. Wait, what am I saying, he is a politician and we all know they have no souls and therefore no sense of shame.

    Just ask former Congressman Weiner about that.

    --
    Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
  37. True, Dat by Safety+Cap · · Score: 1

    Remember TIA ("Total Information Awareness")? That monster rose from the dead and its zombie maw is chomping at the bit to eat everything it can.

    I wish the MPAA/RIAA would hurry up and die already. They are little more than brutish fossils, symbolic of a decayed era gratefully forgotten.

    --
    Yeah, right.
  38. Sure we do by Safety+Cap · · Score: 1

    It took a BIG, and rather firm, kick in the ass to get them to pay attention. But that's not the way government is supposed to work. We aren't supposed to have to whip them to get them to actually work for us.

    When there's a friggin 1,600 lb gorilla in the room with "Citizens United" tattooed on its chest, us little people have to whip that cream HARD and LONG before anything will happen.

    --
    Yeah, right.
  39. Dodd.. where have I heard that name before? by h8sg8s · · Score: 1

    Chris Dodd can arguably be called the father (or one of them) of the current economic collapse. Hopefully he can do a repeat performance at the MPAA..

    --
    Organization? You must be joking..
  40. he admits nothing.... by night_flyer · · Score: 1

    Dodd is a politician, politicians lie, thus Dodd is a liar

    --


    Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
    Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
  41. I remember doing my part. by GoodNewsJimDotCom · · Score: 1

    I wrote an email to Bob Casey (Sen PA) telling him it was a matter of free speech to let Hollywood censor the Internet.

    Bob Casey wrote back,"No it isn't about free speech."

    I wrote back,"Yes, it is about free speech."

    Then he sends a form letter out to everyone,"I'm changing my stance on this issue because it is about free speech."

    Is there anyway we can retroactively get rid of DMCA? That stuff is being abused now.

  42. trust by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    we should trust him why?

  43. "Let's talk" by John+Jorsett · · Score: 1

    He said the MPAA isn't focused on getting similar legislation passed in the future, at the moment. 'I think we're better served by sitting down [with the tech sector and SOPA opponents] and seeing what we agree on.'

    How reasonable-sounding. It'd be more convincing if you had tried that approach BEFORE you tried to shove this thing through. Given that your initial approach was to big-foot the opposition and you got your asses handed to you, the other side would be justified in looking at your outstretched hand and spitting in it.
     

  44. I for one welcome CWPATCLGBFIPA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The Children With Puppies Against Terrorists, Commies, Liberals and Gays But For IP Act

  45. Mod this up please by EmperorOfCanada · · Score: 1

    You rock! In my city there are about 9 theaters with the largest having 17 screens. All are owned by the same Family who owns most if not all the theaters in my province. Their employees are pimply faced kids from the Simpsons and the places have had all the quality sucked out of them and painted over with a 90's black and glow veneer. They have left one theater in the city alone to be the classy theater where even the employees are cooler.

  46. Re:single-screen movie theatre in a small town. by TaoPhoenix · · Score: 2

    And Slashdot wants to know where so we can flashmob you and force you to accept new revenue and boost sales!

    --
    My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
  47. Truth & Lies by hhawk · · Score: 1

    He is saying the truth that they are dead. IMHO, it's a lie to say that groups like MPAA, such as RIAA and similar groups in other countries aren't trying to get similar laws passed as part of treaties and through the UN, etc.

    --
    http://www.hawknest.com/
  48. Re:StartPage by TaoPhoenix · · Score: 1

    However Startpage has been yelling at me "you have done a large amount of searches, we are going to block you to prove you're not a bot."
    (like 10 a day, mostly going to X sites)

    --
    My first Journal Entry ever, in 8 years! http://slashdot.org/journal/365947/aphelion-scifi-fantasy-horror-poetry-webzine
  49. Re:StartPage by causality · · Score: 1

    However Startpage has been yelling at me "you have done a large amount of searches, we are going to block you to prove you're not a bot." (like 10 a day, mostly going to X sites)

    I've never personally had Startpage do that. Could it be actually coming from Google?

    --
    It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
  50. Re:Dodd? Seriously? His record speaks for itself by causality · · Score: 1

    On January 17, 2012, Dodd released a statement criticizing "the so-called 'Blackout Day' protesting anti-piracy legislation."[26] Referring to the websites participating in the blackout, Dodd said, "It is an irresponsible response and a disservice to people who rely on them for information and use their services.

    Funny, I never thought these sites owed me their services. I don't recall signing any such contract with them. They do so on a voluntary basis and their willingness to do it is appreciated. I also appreciate their willingness to take a stand on this. I would respect it even if I disagreed with it. It's called honor. It's not something the likes of Dodd would understand because it cannot be deposited in a bank.

    Those tactics don't work on people who have emotionally matured past the point of having a fevered sense of entitlement.

    It is also an abuse of power... when the platforms that serve as gateways to information intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests."[26]

    No, it's free speech. Money, however, is definitely a form of power in sufficient quantities. In other words, "yeah this is just so terrible... ..."

    In further comments, Dodd threatened to cut off campaign contributions to politicians who did not support PIPA and SOPA, legislation supported by the MPAA.[27]

    " ... except when I do it. Then it's perfectly okay."

    Do members of Congress ever entertain thoughts of growing a spine and making it clear that the MPAA needs Congress a lot more than Congress needs the MPAA? How about a ncie "keep your contributions, we don't want them and we will find replacements; meanwhile we will discuss repealing all copyright legislation passed during the last ten years, have a nice day!"

    Yeah I know that's a nice fantasy. But it is a nice one.

    --
    It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Einstein
  51. He'll just get it passed under obama care!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    don't worry, they will just pass it under another completely unrelated bill like obama care or the patriot act..

    theres more then enough money coming from the likes of chris dodd.... sooner or later it will get passed thru under different names...

    if you think i'm making this up, have you attempted to purchase allegra D in the US in the past year?
    you can thank the patriot act for that asinine piece of legislated $h-t!!

    welcome to america ...

  52. TPP to replace SOPA etc by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership
    Opposition: http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_corporate_death_star/?bTmiHcb&v=17867

  53. Slight of Hand by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The art of slight of hand is to get the audience or target to look at one hand while the other hand does the work. We need to stop watching and celebrating on this success and see what the MPAA/RIAA's other hand(s) are doing.

    captcha: lustful

    1. Re:Slight of Hand by KickAir+8P · · Score: 1

      Agreed -- this looks like an attempt to lull those eight million opponents into a false sense of security.

  54. BULLSHIT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    When somebody from the MPAA starts talking, I disregard everything he says. Clearly he has a plan to bring them back or sneak something else in under the radar.

    FYI, there are roughly 50 such bills and treaties in Congress and the United Nations.

    1. Re:BULLSHIT by d3jake · · Score: 1

      50? I'm interested to see where that number comes from, and see how badly unrelated some of the bills are that are getting tacked onto.

  55. Grab a dictionary! by d3jake · · Score: 1

    Does nobody know what "misinformation" means? The provisions in the law will show up again, likely tacked onto unrelated bills that will get shot through Congress. I agree with a poster above: They were stupid enough to pass it all at once. They won't make the same mistake again.

  56. Re:Dodd? Seriously? His record speaks for itself by d3jake · · Score: 1
    I find it funny that he says:

    intentionally skew the facts to incite their users in order to further their corporate interests.

    Perhaps he missed the part where the bills he supported were trying to abridge our rights as citizens to further the corporate interests of major media companies.