The 'Hurt Locker' is Only Hurting Itself

(In voice of Peter Griffin) You know what really grinds my gears? THIS.

When is Hollywood going to learn that this is NOT the way to solve current copyright problems? Solving your fans is NOT the answer. And let me tell you my honest opinion - these downloaders are not really displacing sales. Are they displacing a few folks that were on the edge about purchasing the DVD? Of course. But I'll tell you one thing - most of these downloaders would simply NOT buy the DVD if they can't get it for free. They're just wait; wait til it's on demand, or HBO or whatever. They just don't feel that this is a good use of their disposable income! And suing them is not going to change that.

The most these producers can hope for is to scare the defendants straight. Well WHOOP-DEE-FUCKING-DOO. At best, you'll get 5,000 people to buy your movie, or at least not download.... for a while. Is 5,000 sales really going to make that much of a difference for you, producers? I didn't think so. And that's as far as it will go - the folks that are downloading other films, or that weren't caught - you won't stop them. And they're a much bigger pool than your 5,000 defendants.

This is just useless and, frankly, STUPID. The plaintiffs are going to expend more in legal fees than the pithy $1,500 they're asking from each defendant. Not to mention they're just reinforcing the contempt that downloaders feel for move companies.

Look, I don't know the perfect solution right now, but I can't tell you THIS AIN'T IT. Movie companies - it's sad, but YOU have to be proactive about providing outlets for media that your audience will WANT to consume. It's up to you, not them. If you can't do it, they're going to take the risk of viruses (and suit) and just download it. Suing them in NOT the answer.

www.newleaflegal.com