Minecraft Documentary Premiers On Pirate Bay As Well As Xbox Live

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Minecraft Documentary Premiers On Pirate Bay As Well As Xbox Live

Posted by timothy on Sunday December 23, 2012 @01:27AM from the with-permission-that-is dept.

An anonymous reader writes "2 Player Productions, the producers of Minecraft: The Story of Mojang, on Saturday uploaded the documentary to The Pirate Bay. The news comes as a surprise move after an announcement earlier this week that the film is premiering today for free on Xbox Live to Gold subscribers. You can download it here."

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Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 01:37 · Score: 5, Informative

They have put the movie on piratebay because they rightfully say that it would end up there anyway and also they understand if people might not be able to buy it (right now).
From the wording of the message this is by no means an invitation to freeloaders. So if you like the movie do the right thing and at least buy it afterwards.
1. Re:Please read the fine print by SpockLogic · 2012-12-23 01:54 · Score: 2
  
  OK, so its a long advert for Minecraft, next ....
2. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:11 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  this is by no means an invitation to freeloaders
  the copyright holder of a film freely distributes via publicly accessible bittorrent and web site.. THERE ARE NO FREELOADERS...
  permission to freely distribute is then also implied due to the nature of the protocol chosen BY THEM.. even if they later discontinue seeding themselves.. they knew up front what they were getting into. you can't stop a torrent, and you can't "take it back" once you post something for free.
  buyers of the film are simply donating excess cash to the company, they aren't really 'buying' anything as it is freely available.
3. Re:Please read the fine print by History's+Coming+To · 2012-12-23 02:18 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  You wouldn't be pirating it if you downloaded it from the Pirate Bay, it was put there by the copyright holder, just like you're not pirating Ubuntu if you torrent it. Of course, in the UK the Pirate Bay is blocked by ISPs, but in this particular case you'd be breaking no laws, civil or criminal. That's kind of in the headline. And summary. And article.
  
  --
  Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
4. Re:Please read the fine print by Rockoon · 2012-12-23 02:27 · Score: 2
  
  I'm only torrenting it because I have been looking for a 'just released' popular torrent to test my bandwidth since my ISP boosted it to supposedly 15Mbps.
  
  Just released? Check.
  Popular? It has just appeared on slashdot.. so Check.
  
  Results: 1.6MB/s peek so far
  
  So not only isnt my ISP traffic shaping (I pretty much knew that already) but they are quite obviously giving me at least 15Mbps.
  
  --
  "His name was James Damore."
5. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:28 · Score: 0
  
  Well, I got 8 MB/sec on a cable connection in Germany (this is actually flat out the maximum speed of my subscription).
6. Re:Please read the fine print by flimflammer · 2012-12-23 02:49 · Score: 1
  
  That makes no sense. Downloading something from the pirate bay doesn't make you a pirate, especially if the copyright holder is freely distributing it there.
7. Re:Please read the fine print by dissy · 2012-12-23 03:18 · Score: 1
  
  You wouldn't be pirating it if you downloaded it from the Pirate Bay, it was put there by the copyright holder, just like you're not pirating Ubuntu if you torrent it.
  Except for the fact in both the description and in the video itself the copyright holder is claiming you pirated it.
  It would only be like Ubuntu if they put it up for download and then Mark Shuttleworth sent you an email asking how you are enjoying that pirated copy of Ubuntu...
  I see nothing that states the copyright holder gave permission, despite the fact they uploaded it, and do see something that states you do NOT have permission to have the video.
  I suspect at least in a US court they could literally argue it was piracy and win the case if they felt like suing. Only the fact they uploaded it would lead me to believe they wouldn't sue.
8. Re:Please read the fine print by RedHat+Rocky · 2012-12-23 03:19 · Score: 1
  
  Neither does using a protocol like torrent. Tools do not make one a pirate.
  
  --
  Anything is possible given time and money.
9. Re:Please read the fine print by samkass · 2012-12-23 03:43 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  So you want me to (1) buy a new Xbox 360 (2) pay for a month of XBL gold [i previously owned a 360] just to *not* be called a pirate for downloading an otherwise *free* movie? Howboutno.
  No, just go buy it from their site and download it in MP4 or MKV format.
  
  --
  E pluribus unum
10. Re:Please read the fine print by Bengie · 2012-12-23 04:03 · Score: 3
  
  Uploading your content to the public and placing a piracy warning is like handing a stranger a $20 bill, telling them it is not their money, then walking away. There is an inference that happens even if you told them it's not your money to spend.
11. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 04:12 · Score: 0
  
  That's exactly what it is. I mean you'd have to be pretty fucking full of yourself to do a documentary on yourself.
12. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 05:43 · Score: 0
  
  That's the silliest action to do. Sillier than MPAA, really.
13. Re:Please read the fine print by X0563511 · 2012-12-23 06:03 · Score: 3
  
  You mean just like all those "making of" documentaries that ship with movies these days?
  Yea, totally full of themselves. There's no reason anyone would be interested. Yep.
  
  --
  For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
14. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 06:24 · Score: 1
  
  It's only blocked by the big ISPs, and they are generally crap anyway.
  I'd encourage people to move to a smaller, better ISP. For a few extra quid a month it's well worth the better service (regardless of TPB)
15. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 07:25 · Score: 0
  
  Ever wonder why they don't call them "documentaries"? Because they aren't. They are simple behind-the-scenes looks at what went on and don't have anywhere near the depth of information as a full blown documentary film.
  And yeah, those are still a bit presumptuous. I'll watch the film, that doesn't mean I give a shit about the people involved in it.
16. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 08:16 · Score: 1
  
  I'd suspect that this film has already been paid for (by Mojang) and that this way of distributing it is a toungue-in-cheek snarky way of making fun of the current asinine state of copyright law.
  So they're putting it up there themselves saying "Oh noes! You're gonna pirate!" but honestly thinking "lol. Not like this was some big expensive cinematic blockbuster with a huge production budget. If you really want it that bad, feel free to have at it. No big loss to us."
  Sure paying for the film is a nice gesture in showing support. But I don't think it's something they looked at as some big money maker in the first place. There are other things they find as being much more important. (Like preserving goodwill with their fanbase, and finding ways to monetize their IP in a way that is friendly to their fans.)
  I think for as long as Notch has some say in it, Mojang is going to be cool like that.
17. Re:Please read the fine print by Pentium100 · 2012-12-23 08:37 · Score: 1
  
  I got 32MB/s with all the other torrents paused (so they don't overload the hard drive). The upload speed is only 1MB/s - nobody wants to download from me...
18. Re:Please read the fine print by dissy · 2012-12-23 10:17 · Score: 1
  
  Uploading your content to the public and placing a piracy warning is like handing a stranger a $20 bill, telling them it is not their money, then walking away. There is an inference that happens even if you told them it's not your money to spend.
  But my point remains, if you handed me a $20 and out right told me it isn't mine and not to keep it or spend it, then you have every legal right to claim I took your money. If afterwards you actually did sue me, short of me lying about what happened I don't think there would be any question legally about the matter. I might even be ordered to pay it back, depending on the mood of the judge (specifically referring to a US court/judge of course.)
  Just to be perfectly clear here, I have literally zero expectation they would sue anyone for downloading their video.
  But scrolling right along the bottom of the video is the message "Decided to pirate our movie, huh?"
  That was clearly added by the guys that made the thing. Thus, the copyright holders are accusing us downloaders of piracy.
19. Re:Please read the fine print by mark-t · 2012-12-23 11:47 · Score: 1
  
  Without an official statement to the contrary, nor any type of real language which might suggest sarcasm (such as "oh noes", as you put it, above), there's no objective reason to believe that they genuinely were being sarcastic. They as much as admit that they are only putting it on pirate bay themselves because they know it will end up there anyways. I don't have a problem with this, but personally, the only real problem I have with what they are doing is that in the scrolling text near the beginning of the film, they as much as explicitly state that downloading it was piracy. I take some measure of pride in abstaining from participating in the community of illegally distributed content, and the only reason I downloaded it at all was because the impression was given that it was okay. Now it still may be legally okay, but in the end, they are still judging me for I didn't pay for it, which is something I didn't sign up for. I stopped the movie as soon as I saw that bit of text near the beginning and have no intention of buying the dvd because of it.
  
  --
  File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
20. Re:Please read the fine print by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 21:03 · Score: 0
  
  If you GIVE something to someone it's theirs. You both have to agree with a verbal contract if you want to keep ownership. If the other person didn't agree, then you shouldn't have handed it over. Just like if you get a package in the mail. If a company sends you something, even by mistake, it's legally yours. They can't (successfully) claim that you now owe them money.
21. Re:Please read the fine print by The+Archon+V2.0 · 2012-12-24 05:01 · Score: 1
  
  > I'd suspect that this film has already been paid for (by Mojang)
  By the people who Kickstarted it, actually.
  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2pp/minecraft-the-story-of-mojang
22. Re:Please read the fine print by toddestan · 2012-12-24 05:31 · Score: 1
  
  Well, technically just because they provide you with a free copy doesn't mean that you have the right to distribute it. They could say something like you are allowed to download a copy from them but they retain all rights on the work. Though if they choose to distribute it via torrent then that would make the whole thing kind of a grey area.
23. Re:Please read the fine print by Troed · 2012-12-25 05:17 · Score: 1
  
  I'd suspect that this film has already been paid for (by Mojang) and that this way of distributing it is a toungue-in-cheek snarky way of making fun of the current asinine state of copyright law.
  Considering the creator of Minecraft and founder of Mojang is a Pirate Party member I'm not sure how much toungue-in-cheek is needed.
  http://torrentfreak.com/piracy-is-theft-ridiculous-lost-sales-they-dont-exist-says-minecraft-creator-110303/
  
  --
  it's in my head
They What?? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 01:45 · Score: 0

Why in the world would they make a documentary about Minecraft? Shouldn't you just be able to make your own in the game?
boo slash by alphatel · 2012-12-23 01:53 · Score: 1, Redundant

Filter error: Your comment looks too much like ascii art.
How can we make appropriate minecraft block comments without ascii art!

--
When the foot seeks the place of the head, the line is crossed. Know your place. Keep your place. Be a shoe.
Mixed Message from the Creators by kju · 2012-12-23 01:53 · Score: 4, Insightful

The creators should really decide what they feel. Because in the explanation on piratebay they show understanding if people won't buy before trying etc. but people should consider buying.
But then they use a file name containing "(pirate)" and also put at least one text scroller in the movie "Decided to pirate our movie, eh?"
No, i did not decide to pirate your movie. I downloaded it because you offered it for free download. I'm not a fan of Minecraft but if I like what I see I might have considered buying the movie.
But being insulted as a pirate when I just took their offer? This will surely not help positively with my decision if I shall give them money.
1. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:41 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  But being insulted as a pirate when I just took their offer? This will surely not help positively with my decision if I shall give them money.
  Exactly. I have bought Minecraft and have since introduced it to 2 other friends who have also bought it. I saw the title so I followed the link to download the torrent, thinking that even though I don't even know what the movie is about, I have a fast connection and can help them speed up the torrent. And then I followed the websites provided in the TPB message to see how I can pay for it.
  And then, I saw the "(pirate)" in the filename, and thought "WTF?", then I read the parent comment, and lost all interest in this movie. I stopped my download and deleted the file, and then closed the other tab linking to the sites selling the movie.
  Good job, Notch, you successfully stopped me from "pirating" the movie, by totally removing any interest I have in it. Now I wouldn't want to spend any time to watch it even if a DVD were delivered to my doorstep for free.
2. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:49 · Score: 0
  
  It's called sarcasm, kiddo. Do a little research and be social once in a while.
3. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by Rockoon · 2012-12-23 02:52 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Good job, Notch, you successfully stopped me from "pirating" the movie
  Notch didnt make the movie, nor is Notch distributing the movie, and in all likelihood Notch doesnt even endorse the movie.
  
  --
  "His name was James Damore."
4. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:54 · Score: 0
  
  Good job, Notch
  What's it got to do with him?
5. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by mark-t · 2012-12-23 06:20 · Score: 1
  
  No, i did not decide to pirate your movie. I downloaded it because you offered it for free download
  This.
  
  But being insulted as a pirate when I just took their offer? This will surely not help positively with my decision if I shall give them money.
  And this. I shut the movie off as soon as the first scrolling text went by, suggesting that I decided to pirate their film. I took great offense at the notion, personally.
  
  --
  File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
6. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by The+Archon+V2.0 · 2012-12-24 05:05 · Score: 1
  
  > Notch didnt make the movie, nor is Notch distributing the movie, and in all likelihood Notch doesnt even endorse the movie.
  You were right until the third one. I don't know for sure if he endorses the finished product, but he let a camera crew follow him around repeatedly, so he at least endorsed it during filming.
7. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by Wolfrider · 2012-12-26 08:13 · Score: 1
  
  --Geez, did you ever think they were playing it for the lulz, since they *intentionally* uploaded it to TPB? ~:-\
  
  --
  .
  == WolfriderV6 == I'm willing to admit that *I just might* be wrong... Are you??
8. Re:Mixed Message from the Creators by Jetra · 2012-12-31 19:37 · Score: 1
  
  I may have to eat my words. My brother pirated it for me as well as bought the DVD. I saw the movie and I actually enjoyed it. Hate me all you want, I liked the movie.
Not even worth it. by Jetra · 2012-12-23 02:02 · Score: 2

I don't think I want to pay for it or even want to pirate it. It feels like some Direct-to-Video movie, only so much crappier. I don't even want to give it a try.
They tried by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:08 · Score: 1

But it was blocked.
1. Re:They tried by oodaloop · 2012-12-23 02:12 · Score: 1
  
  Shame they can't square that away.
  
  --
  Tic-Tac-Toe, Global Thermonuclear War, and relationships all have the same winning move.
SLOW PR FOR THIS !! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:09 · Score: 0

But slow PR is better than no PR !! Guess you have to spend M$-kind of money to get M$-kind of results !! But how's that working out for you, Steven ?? Not good, huh !!
Blocked... by LourensV · 2012-12-23 02:13 · Score: 1

I've never played or even seen Minecraft, but I've heard of it and I could envision downloading this and having a look to see if it's interesting enough. Unfortunately, the local branch of the RIAA has sued my ISP into blocking the Pirate Bay, so I can't. Honestly, I was unlikely to buy this in the first place, but now I'm certainly not going to. Which I suppose serves 2 Player Productions right for daring to try to compete, even if it's in a small niche market, with the big media conglomerates. Still a shame though.
1. Re:Blocked... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:20 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  magnet:?xt=urn:btih:41b2fd2403eba5a1dc23743fb08a15f968acc1b5&dn=Minecraft%3A+The+Story+of+Mojang&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.openbittorrent.com%3A80&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.publicbt.com%3A80&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.istole.it%3A6969&tr=udp%3A%2F%2Ftracker.ccc.de%3A80
  Greetings Pirate Bay!
  This is 2 Player Productions here, and we hoped we could be the first to upload our new movie "Minecraft: The Story of Mojang". We've never uploaded a torrent before so hopefully this isn't all screwed up.
  We wanted to come here first because we knew the movie would end up here eventually, and the best thing to do seemed to be opening a dialogue. Torrents and piracy are a way of life and it probably won't be going anywhere anytime soon. There are many people that want to punish you for that, but we have a more realistic outlook on things.
  We've been there. We've all needed to do it at some point. Maybe you don't have the money. Maybe you want to try before you buy. Maybe you're pissed at us for premiering the movie on Xbox Live. These are all fine reasons. But if you feel that piracy is, in Gabe Newell's words, "a service problem," please consider that we are selling DRM free digital downloads that you can watch in whatever manner you please.
  We're just three guys trying to make a living doing what we love. We love the world of video games, and we love making it real. If you buy the movie, you support those efforts. The reason we Kickstarted this movie in the first place was that we didn't have enough money to make it ourselves, and even then, we still put A LOT of our own money into it. Not to mention nearly two years of work.
  Watch the movie. Hopefully you'll like it, and understand what we're trying to do. Please consider supporting us by buying the $8 DRM-free digital download of the movie at www.theminecraftmovie.com, or the $20 DVD from www.fangamer.net.
  We've worked with a lot of amazing people in the games industry and had the incredible fortune to make some great films the way we wanted to make them. Please consider helping us continue on this path. The best has yet to come.
  -2pp
2. Re:Blocked... by jones_supa · 2012-12-23 08:49 · Score: 2
  
  And just to clarify, that's the description of the torrent in TPB. At first it looked like 2 Player Productions was writing to Slashdot. :)
Actually I can't download it by drinkypoo · 2012-12-23 02:19 · Score: 1, Interesting

My ISP doesn't permit any use of the bittorrent protocol, because their network is crap, and it shits on their network.
And I don't have Live Gold because I don't believe in giving Microsoft money for what should be free since it is ad-supported.
Are there any normal download options for the normal downloaders?

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
1. Re:Actually I can't download it by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:22 · Score: 1
  
  Please consider supporting us by buying the $8 DRM-free digital download of the movie at www.theminecraftmovie.com, or the $20 DVD from www.fangamer.net.
2. Re:Actually I can't download it by alen · 2012-12-23 02:26 · Score: 1
  
  $20?
  The batman movie with Heath ledger is less than $10 for the blu ray
3. Re:Actually I can't download it by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:27 · Score: 1
  
  Sucks to be you.
  But calling you a "normal" downloader just sounds retarded.
4. Re:Actually I can't download it by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:32 · Score: 0
  
  why don't you just tunnel bittorrent in ssh ? Not one ISP will block ssh
5. Re:Actually I can't download it by maxwell+demon · 2012-12-23 02:42 · Score: 1
  
  And where would he ssh to?
  
  --
  The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
6. Re:Actually I can't download it by kramerd · 2012-12-23 03:06 · Score: 2
  
  You can buy the digital download or the dvd. See the giant paragraph on TPB download page.
7. Re:Actually I can't download it by drinkypoo · 2012-12-23 03:12 · Score: 1
  
  You can buy the digital download or the dvd. See the giant paragraph on TPB download page.
  Congratulations, you have answered a question. Unfortunately, you have not answered my question. If the answer is "you have to buy it, you can't just download it" that's fine. I'm not interested enough in minecraft to buy minecraft, I'm certainly not buying this. I will, however, fire up minetest.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
8. Re:Actually I can't download it by jones_supa · 2012-12-23 08:58 · Score: 1
  
  Remember that this Minecraft document is not offered as a free download in TPB either. The authors themselves just put a pirated copy there before anyone else gets the chance. You can get it by a "normal" download if you buy it as intended. Can't really ask more.
9. Re:Actually I can't download it by drinkypoo · 2012-12-24 01:12 · Score: 1
  
  Remember that this Minecraft document is not offered as a free download in TPB either. The authors themselves just put a pirated copy there before anyone else gets the chance.
  It doesn't work that way. If you are the copyright holder and upload to a free-to-download site deliberately, you've just legally created a free download.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
lol by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:24 · Score: 2, Insightful

i bet they didn't clear this with the xbox execs first... they're gonna be pissed.
and with the pirate bay copy calling everyone a pirate... now i want to pirate the xbox version just for the fuck of it.
and still not watch it.
spell much? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 02:25 · Score: 0

"premieres"
Is it about how he ripped the entire idea off? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 03:01 · Score: 0

There isn't exactly much else it could be about.
Eight dollars? by BenJeremy · 2012-12-23 03:04 · Score: 1

Sorry.... I would consider something $5 or less for this for a downloadable copy, or even as a donation, but anything above that is annoyingly too much.
Know your audience!!!
If they were asking $3, I'd give it to them in a heartbeat (my son is big into Minecraft, and would enjoy watching this). The pricing is probably a limitation of their distributor, "Redux", but if they were going to distribute this via Pirate Bay, why not just ask for a donation via PayPal? I'm sure they would make a lot more money doing that than with this scheme.
1. Re:Eight dollars? by RedHat+Rocky · 2012-12-23 03:15 · Score: 2
  
  Really? $3 more seems "way too much"?
  I could find $3 in pennies easily, it's just not much these days.
  I agree with the donation idea, putting it on Pirate Bay like they did with their attitude is certainly annoying.
  
  --
  Anything is possible given time and money.
2. Re:Eight dollars? by samkass · 2012-12-23 03:50 · Score: 1, Redundant
  
  Sorry.... I would consider something $5 or less for this for a downloadable copy, or even as a donation, but anything above that is annoyingly too much.
  Know your audience!!!
  If they were asking $3, I'd give it to them in a heartbeat (my son is big into Minecraft, and would enjoy watching this). The pricing is probably a limitation of their distributor, "Redux", but if they were going to distribute this via Pirate Bay, why not just ask for a donation via PayPal? I'm sure they would make a lot more money doing that than with this scheme.
  If you're not willing to pay $8 for an hour and a half documentary that's fine. It'll probably be on sale in a month or two anyway. I think they have a right to ask for what they think their work is worth, and you have a right not to watch it and keep your kids from watching it in the meantime.
  
  --
  E pluribus unum
3. Re:Eight dollars? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 04:22 · Score: 0
  
  it's just not much these days.
  You realize that's relative, right?
4. Re:Eight dollars? by Bengie · 2012-12-23 05:04 · Score: 2
  
  What "attitude"? You mean the one where they say (paraphrased) "This will get pirated at some point anyway, so here's out movie for free. If you like it, please purchase out DRM-free version with extras".
5. Re:Eight dollars? by spire3661 · 2012-12-23 08:29 · Score: 1
  
  I also have the natural right to take their output, watch it, and give nothing back. Their business model sucks, you cant have it both ways.
  
  --
  Good-bye
6. Re:Eight dollars? by jones_supa · 2012-12-23 09:06 · Score: 1
  
  I also have the natural right to take their output, watch it, and give nothing back.
  No, you don't. Well, at least it would still be copyright infringement.
7. Re:Eight dollars? by RedHat+Rocky · 2012-12-23 09:12 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, their justification that their movie will be pirated, so might as well put it on a pirate site to begin with.
  Adding a couple of peachtree items to tease people as "pirates", when in fact this is not a pirated work, is way out of line.
  Personally, enough to turn me off right there.
  
  --
  Anything is possible given time and money.
No kidding by Sycraft-fu · 2012-12-23 03:47 · Score: 1

Particularly if they choose to distribute it for free. If I put something on my website, or a torrent tracker or whatever I can't very well then get mad at people if they download it. I am providing it for download, the message I'm sending is "I would like you to download this." If that's not what I want, then I need to do something different.
I'm fine with people being accepting that piracy will happen (because it absolutely will, if people care about what you've released). However you don't get to go and give your stuff away for free and whine when people take you up on that.
My guess is this is just these tards trying to get publicity, which looks like it is working. I'd give even money that it wouldn't have been pirated had they said nothing because really, who gives a shit about an extremely poorly produced documentary about Minecraft?
You can "buy" the documentary here by El_Muerte_TDS · 2012-12-23 03:57 · Score: 4, Informative

If you want to give the creators (2 Player Productions) money for their creation, you can do it here: http://www.theminecraftmovie.com/
The summary could at least have mentioned that.
One-time showing on Xbox Live by Psykechan · 2012-12-23 04:05 · Score: 1

I wish I knew about the "one-time showing" bullshit going into this. The other news sites never even mentioned it.
I hop on the Xbox this morning and all it says is that it will start at 8PM. I spend the rest of the day with family/friends ('tis the season) and then before bed I realize that it's after 8 so I should grab it. After downloading their stupid app I get a screen saying that it's over. Huzzah!
I have had a DVR for about 14 years now, and even though I watch considerably less TV now than back then, I am certain of one thing: I watch on my time, not yours. Nielsen data is showing that other people do too.
The really sad thing is that if this was on normal TV, I could have recorded it and watched it when I damn well felt to. Microsoft, this was a pre-recorded film not an event. There was nothing that needed to be streamed live, and nothing that needed to have me schedule time during a holiday weekend outside of some pretty viewer numbers that you can report immediately instead of waiting a nominal time to also include time-shift viewers.
Know this that if you want to replace the usual set-top boxes and be the TV device of choice that you better not have less functionality than a simple DVR. If you do, then you lose the battle. Nintendo, I'd say that you should be paying attention as well, but I've used your hardware and you clearly don't have a clue.
Sorry for you connection loss by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 06:46 · Score: 0

Why does your ISP hate you? Are you having your connection cut back because they found you downloading the wrong content?
I hope they soon release you from this punishment and you get your speed back up to normal levels. Man, noone should have to not enjoy broadband. It's not the nineties anymore...
Captcha: inactive. Like your connection...
1. Re:Sorry for you connection loss by Dekker3D · 2012-12-23 07:14 · Score: 1
  
  15 Mbps = megabits per second.
  1.6 MB/s = megabytes per second.
  MB = megabyte, Mb = megabit. I know, it's a bit confusing. Internet connections are always by megabits, while download speeds are mostly by megabytes. 15/8 = 1.875 megabytes per seconds maximum speed. 1.6 is pretty decent in that case.
2. Re:Sorry for you connection loss by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-23 07:31 · Score: 0
  
  I was sort of making a jab at the fact that a "boost" to 15 Mbps isn't all that great. I typed it tongue-in-cheek, but I see how that would not come across.
  I have a cheap ISP and the slowest connection they offer is 50 Mbps. They also offer 100 and 200 Mbps, but that last one is only possible in very limited regions.
3. Re:Sorry for you connection loss by fremean · 2012-12-24 04:59 · Score: 1
  
  Your jab is a way of life for some broadband customers, in australia it's quite "normal" for adsl2+ customers to be stuck at 3mbit and damn lucky to get that - on the most expensive or the cheap isps.
No Restrictions on downloads my ass. by ZeroNullVoid · 2012-12-23 08:47 · Score: 1

They lie in their advertising.
DRM Free
It's yours to enjoy - download or stream with no restrictions.
That is a lie.
Once you pay, it gives you 3 downloads.
That is a pretty big restriction.
Plus their download counter does not look for if download is even started or done. It is click based.
So clicking it, getting a what to do prompt, clicking cancel counts as a DL.
What kind of BS is this.
1. Re:No Restrictions on downloads my ass. by ZeroNullVoid · 2012-12-23 09:06 · Score: 1
  
  I would also like to note that the legit download seems to be very very slow. Possibly overloaded or qos.
  I did email them, and they replied fairly quickly awknologing some points I made and stated they are "working through this right now."
  They also offered another download key if I had needed it.
  I am waiting to see that if download completes before I request another download key. It keeps getting slower and slower.
  So +1 for them on service response.
Makes Sense, Should See More Often by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-24 15:24 · Score: 0

Microsoft has to realize the number of people who were going to purchase an XBox Live membership because of this was negligible. It's nice they can provide a stream to those people and nice that the huge majority of people who don't own an xbox can also see it.