It takes money to press, burn, and distribute physical media such as CDs or DVDs.
Once the server has been set up, the software installed and/or the plugins written, and the network pipeline is assured, it costs as much to "manufacture" 1 copy of a CD as it does 10,000. So long as the servers are maintained and the pipe is there, you could produce 1,000,000 copies just as easily and for the same cost.
This paradigm however is not new. I think it was Bob Norton (of Norton Anti-Virus) who noted this potential shift in production methods away from physical products to digital ones. And this was back when the Internet had NO commercial traffic allowed on it. He made a profit by giving away his software and selling the updates. Because he embraced the paradigm he is now quite wealthy. And the last I saw, the company wasn't doing too badly either.
If these stick in the mud companies refuse to embrace the paradigm, that's their fault. The no-physical-product business model has been around for decades. It's been proven to work.
The same rule applies to them that applies to all businesses at all times throughout human history: adapt or die.
Though, I don't think that the point of the article was to absolve the government of it's share of blame for this mess.
Personally, I think this whole melodrama put on in Washington was more of a "political morality play" than a real reflection of the problem. As usual, much sound and thunder and no real change.
The unfortunate reality is that it took us 50+ years to get into this mess, and it's unlikely we're going to get out of it easily, or soon. (even presupposing anyone in Washington has the will to REALLY deal with the problem, a supposition I find dubious)
Would another regulation do any good? Seems that I recall the SEC had plenty of regulations to enforce and was watching porn instead of doing their job. So what good would yet another regulation do?
Who is watching the watchmen when the watchmen are watching porn?
This is very similar to a software bundle I saw last Christmas. You got Corel Paint, and two other piece of software and a 2 gig flash drive for $50.
Sounds like a great deal on the surface doesn't it?
Turns out that every time you open any of the programs you have to have an Internet connection because they use the same silly sort of DRM that Ubisoft is using.
I passed. I'll stick with open source thank you very much.
Truth is, probably a lot of people got the hacked versions just to avoid the DRM headache.
They may have kept someone from pirating their software, but, they also are loosing legitimate sales as well. So, what exactly did they gain on this?
At some point I hope that industry wises up and realizes that their paying customers aren't criminals and that the pirates they fear so, exist, in part, because of their own paranoia.
That is sad. Kirby is a legend in the industry and a great artistic talent. But, sadly, this is nothing new. DC did worse to the creators of Superman and actually fired them from the company while they were still living.
As far as out_of_the_blue#1 goes, he obviously hasn't read a comic book since WWII. Certainly not since the 70's. Further, comics haven't been for children for at least the 80's. And I'd point out, it is a publishing business, therefore, it is relevant in that it illustrates copyright law and how often those who create are not treated as well as they deserve. Which, I believe, was the point of the article.
I would say that blue#1 should check his facts before he goes off on rambling tirades, but, this is the Internet, and that is a fairly forlorn hope.
Marcus Carab~ As far as blue#1 loosing it goes, I think loosing is the wrong term. Lost would be more accurate I think.
That is how the WHOLE US government works. What most of the posters don't know is that this is the tip of the iceberg. My mom worked for the state of Florida for 24 years, and dealt with state and Federal agencies. And I have a cousin who works for FL DOT.
Here's how the game is played: _________agency is given a budget for the year. If they spend that budget, they can push for a bigger budget next year. Example the FL. DOT changes their WHOLE computer system out every two years. Top to bottom, all new equipment. So you could say truthfully that the whole government in the US is engaged in "penis envy."
I'm with Yogi on this. It's a miracle this bloated monster of a government hasn't collapsed yet.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by SLK8ne.
It also puts pressure on media companies to accept online distribution deals that don't cover their costs.
I agree that is a howler.
It takes money to press, burn, and distribute physical media such as CDs or DVDs.
Once the server has been set up, the software installed and/or the plugins written, and the network pipeline is assured, it costs as much to "manufacture" 1 copy of a CD as it does 10,000. So long as the servers are maintained and the pipe is there, you could produce 1,000,000 copies just as easily and for the same cost.
This paradigm however is not new. I think it was Bob Norton (of Norton Anti-Virus) who noted this potential shift in production methods away from physical products to digital ones. And this was back when the Internet had NO commercial traffic allowed on it. He made a profit by giving away his software and selling the updates. Because he embraced the paradigm he is now quite wealthy. And the last I saw, the company wasn't doing too badly either.
If these stick in the mud companies refuse to embrace the paradigm, that's their fault. The no-physical-product business model has been around for decades. It's been proven to work.
The same rule applies to them that applies to all businesses at all times throughout human history: adapt or die.
Re: I would say that the Govt. is not doing a very good job with relation to the economy.
I agree.
Though, I don't think that the point of the article was to absolve the government of it's share of blame for this mess.
Personally, I think this whole melodrama put on in Washington was more of a "political morality play" than a real reflection of the problem. As usual, much sound and thunder and no real change.
The unfortunate reality is that it took us 50+ years to get into this mess, and it's unlikely we're going to get out of it easily, or soon. (even presupposing anyone in Washington has the will to REALLY deal with the problem, a supposition I find dubious)
lobbying against a regulation that would require it to report "significant errors."
Would another regulation do any good? Seems that I recall the SEC had plenty of regulations to enforce and was watching porn instead of doing their job. So what good would yet another regulation do?
Who is watching the watchmen when the watchmen are watching porn?
I'll pass...
This is very similar to a software bundle I saw last Christmas. You got Corel Paint, and two other piece of software and a 2 gig flash drive for $50.
Sounds like a great deal on the surface doesn't it?
Turns out that every time you open any of the programs you have to have an Internet connection because they use the same silly sort of DRM that Ubisoft is using.
I passed. I'll stick with open source thank you very much.
Truth is, probably a lot of people got the hacked versions just to avoid the DRM headache.
They may have kept someone from pirating their software, but, they also are loosing legitimate sales as well. So, what exactly did they gain on this?
At some point I hope that industry wises up and realizes that their paying customers aren't criminals and that the pirates they fear so, exist, in part, because of their own paranoia.
Interesting stuff!
I love improvised gear (as I can't afford high end stuff, so this is really cool to me. Now if you'll excuse me I needs some fizzy drink! ;o)
Sad
That is sad. Kirby is a legend in the industry and a great artistic talent. But, sadly, this is nothing new. DC did worse to the creators of Superman and actually fired them from the company while they were still living.
As far as out_of_the_blue#1 goes, he obviously hasn't read a comic book since WWII. Certainly not since the 70's. Further, comics haven't been for children for at least the 80's. And I'd point out, it is a publishing business, therefore, it is relevant in that it illustrates copyright law and how often those who create are not treated as well as they deserve. Which, I believe, was the point of the article.
I would say that blue#1 should check his facts before he goes off on rambling tirades, but, this is the Internet, and that is a fairly forlorn hope.
Marcus Carab~ As far as blue#1 loosing it goes, I think loosing is the wrong term. Lost would be more accurate I think.
Re: No Surprise
Yep
Re: No Surprise
Yep
Representative of how the government works
That is how the WHOLE US government works. What most of the posters don't know is that this is the tip of the iceberg. My mom worked for the state of Florida for 24 years, and dealt with state and Federal agencies. And I have a cousin who works for FL DOT.
Here's how the game is played: _________agency is given a budget for the year. If they spend that budget, they can push for a bigger budget next year. Example the FL. DOT changes their WHOLE computer system out every two years. Top to bottom, all new equipment. So you could say truthfully that the whole government in the US is engaged in "penis envy."
I'm with Yogi on this. It's a miracle this bloated monster of a government hasn't collapsed yet.