I never said that we should receive them for free. Re-read my post. Slowly.
Look at MP3s, Napster and iTunes. The Music industry refused to offer digital alternatives leading to Napster. It was(/is) easier to get music for free. Why would I buy a CD with a rootkit on it (look up Sony Fiasco #87), or pay $15 for a CD when I only want one song? Why go to the store when I can get it sitting at home?
It was easier to get for free, and the industry suffered for not giving customers what they wanted.
Now we have iTunes/Amazon/etc and I can buy a CD OR just a single song! Or I can subscribe to Pandora/LastFM/etc to get music other ways.
I get to support the artists I like with ease! EVEN THOUGH I can get it "for free". It's not a BURDER to support my music entertainment "needs" and I have multiple options.
Now... compare that to Movies where they make fake scarcity by forcing a release cycle that basically forces people to pay multiple times. Movie. Followed by DVD. Followed by DVD Ultimate Edition. Followed by Red Box. etc... (not to mention DRM and other restrictions). Followed by broken availability (This only available on Netflix... that only on Amazon... Hulu... Disney... blah blah bleh)
There is no reason they can't do Movie followed by general release. Rentals on the same day as DVD release. Available in multiple places easily.
Or do you honestly believe there is a good reason for a months long delay forced on Red Box (or similar) before they can start renting a DVD? AFTER Months long delays to get to DVD?
> I never said that we should receive them for free. Re-read my post. Slowly.
There is no need for such a condescending tone.
Anyway, I don't see how a staggered movie release cycle can be considered unethical. It's not causing you any real harm by having to wait until the film is released on your preferred medium. This is a very poor justification for software such as Popcorn Time.
> There is no reason they can't do Movie followed by general release. Rentals on the same day as DVD release. Available in multiple places easily.
Sure there is, and the reason is that the various streaming and rental services throw lots of money at them (and the physical rental services were doing this before streaming was even an issue) to get exclusivity, and the movie producers are profit-maximizing industries.
And the same thing happens: It's more difficult to get "legally" (DRM, channels, "months" until available in my area/format, etc)? Easier options will keep popping up.
I'm sure plenty of money got thrown around then, as well as now... but if the CUSTOMERS aren't given good options? Then they'll go for 'other' options...
Same thing happened with Music until reasonable options appeared.
Same situation for intrusive DRM on Games like always-on-connections (Hello Sims), CD/DVD checks, nanny software, etc...
When it's easier for pirates - AND they have a better customer experience? Something is wrong and the market will fight back.
History ignored is a history doomed to repeat itself.
Look at MP3s, Napster and iTunes. The Music industry refused to offer digital alternatives leading to Napster. It was(/is) easier to get music for free. Why would I buy a CD with a rootkit on it (look up Sony Fiasco #87), or pay $15 for a CD when I only want one song? Why go to the store when I can get it sitting at home?
It was easier to get for free, and the industry suffered for not giving customers what they wanted.
Now we have iTunes/Amazon/etc and I can buy a CD OR just a single song! Or I can subscribe to Pandora/LastFM/etc to get music other ways.
I get to support the artists I like with ease! EVEN THOUGH I can get it "for free". It's not a BURDER to support my music entertainment "needs" and I have multiple options.
Now... compare that to Movies where they make fake scarcity by forcing a release cycle that basically forces people to pay multiple times. Movie. Followed by DVD. Followed by DVD Ultimate Edition. Followed by Red Box. etc... (not to mention DRM and other restrictions). Followed by broken availability (This only available on Netflix... that only on Amazon... Hulu... Disney... blah blah bleh)
There is no reason they can't do Movie followed by general release. Rentals on the same day as DVD release. Available in multiple places easily.
Or do you honestly believe there is a good reason for a months long delay forced on Red Box (or similar) before they can start renting a DVD? AFTER Months long delays to get to DVD?