MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > I DON'T understand the hate against peop...

I DON'T understand the hate against people who torrent movies.

posted a year ago by [deleted]
63 replies | jump to latest

Let's make it clear. I download everything from the pinnacle classics to the latest movies for free. If you can't get it some place, you can get it some place else. In good quality.

There is one rule to follow: Never. Pay. Anything that requires some kind of monetary transaction is forbidden. The only thing you should be paying for is your connection, which you can also get unlimited data on the cheap (if you do a little this and a little that)

So the people who think they think they're better because they own a hard copy? I got everything you watched in my drive. So what you made a rich director even richer? Get the hell away from me.

I'm a torrentor and I'm proud. So easy to circumvent it and get the picture for free. And what do you get for your paying? A pat on the head? Bunch of fools.

So let's say right now: I'm proud to download your stupid movie. I'll watch it, but never pay for it. Whatever in the world you want to say, go ahead and say it! But beware, because you can't take my money.

[–] rootvegetables (1879) a year ago

Happy now? Got that off your chest? All good? Excellent. I’m delighted for it.
Now fuck off.
Thank you.

[none]

[–] DoctorThirteen (15227) a year ago

😂

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

I can't always get what I want from a torrent or other unofficial sources. Sometimes there isn't a high-enough quality file out there, and sometimes there's no file at all. Sometimes there's a torrent that looks good but no seeds. The hardest thing to find is 1:1 DVD or BD rips, which means that nearly every torrent/bootleg out there is reduced quality compared to the original DVD or BD (i.e., re-encoded with a lossy codec).

For TV shows I want the actual DVDs so I can rip them 1:1 myself or 1:1 DVD rips (I only care about old TV shows that were originally broadcast in NTSC, and DVD is more than capable of full NTSC broadcast quality, plus MPEG-2/VOB handles interlacing correctly), but like I said, 1:1 DVD rips are hard to find. I did recently find some for Married... with Children though (all 11 seasons, 211 GB total), which was awesome. On the other hand, I recently bought the Sledge Hammer! NTSC DVDs because there are no 1:1 DVD rips out there that I know of; only shitty re-encodes, and to make matters worse, they're PAL.

For movies, a 1:1 BD rip is ideal, and I insist on it for my all-time favorite movies (which usually means I buy the BDs), but I'll settle for a good bootleg re-encode for most other movies, as long as it's 1080p, at least h.264, and at least 10 mbps bitrate.

"There is one rule to follow: Never. Pay."

My rule is pay if you can't find what you want for free. Having what I want is more important to me than saving a small amount of money every now and then.

[–] Padeen (6459) a year ago

Most people have integrity and don't steal. If you don't, cool, but no need to brag about being a thief.

[–] rootvegetables (1879) a year ago

“I don’t have integrity.
I steal.
I brag.
But I at least have enough integrity to not brag about stealing.”
— The Dull-Eyed Llama

[none]

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

"Most people have integrity and don't steal. If you don't, cool, but no need to brag about being a thief."

It isn't possible to steal a movie (nor anything else) via BitTorrent, so your post doesn't have anything to do with this thread.

When someone steals something, the rightful owner no longer has said something, i.e., he's suffered a tangible loss. When you "torrent" a movie, you're making a copy of it, not taking it away from someone.

[–] Padeen (6459) a year ago

Downloading copywrited material without paying is theft of intellectual property. Spin it however you want, but people can and are prosecuted for this.

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

"Downloading copywrited material without paying is theft of intellectual property."

No, it is copying so-called "intellectual property."

"Spin it however you want"

That's ironic, coming from the guy who's trying to redefine the words "steal" and "theft."

"but people can and are prosecuted for this."

No, copyright infringement by itself (e.g., "torrenting" a movie and nothing else) is a civil matter, not a criminal matter like theft, so people don't get "prosecuted" for it. They may get sued by the copyright holder, in which case the court decides whether copyright infringement has in fact taken place.

By the way, go ahead and explain how it's fundamentally different than recording a show or movie off TV (which is not copyright infringement according to the Supreme Court of the United States; see Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.)

[–] Padeen (6459) a year ago

However you try to justify it, you're stealing by taking something of value you didn't pay for.

I Just bought an e-book for $10 because I'm not a cheap degenerate. Could I have obtained it for free through other means? Sure, but anyone with a conscience can see that it's wrong.

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

"However you try to justify it, you're stealing by taking something of value you didn't pay for."

That's not the meaning of stealing. The problem with stealing isn't that someone gets something for nothing, it's that someone has had said something taken from him (meaning he no longer has it, obviously). If he still has said something, then it couldn't have been stolen, obviously, and in all cases of "torrenting" a movie, the copyright holder still has the movie.

"I Just bought an e-book for $10 because I'm not a cheap degenerate. Could I have obtained it for free through other means? Sure, but anyone with a conscience can see that it's wrong."

I suppose that someone getting that same book at a public library so they can read it for free is "theft" too, you know, since they took something of value that they didn't pay for?

In any case, your anecdote is irrelevant, since it does nothing to support your [false] assertion that "torrenting" a movie is theft. Try to get someone charged with theft for "torrenting" a movie and you'll be laughed out of the police station.

Once again, I said:

By the way, go ahead and explain how it's fundamentally different than recording a show or movie off TV (which is not copyright infringement according to the Supreme Court of the United States; see Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.)

Since you have no explanation, your tacit concession is noted.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

I AM AN ACTUAL THIEF...I HAVE STOLEN MORE SHIT IN MY LIFE THAN YOU WILL EVER OWN...THAT SAID...YOU ARE STEALING...TORRENTING IS A FORM OF THEFT AND YOU KNOW IT AS WELL AS I DO...YOUR WORD SALAD MEANS NOTHING EXCEPT THAT MAYBE YOU ARE A THIEF AND AN ASSHOLE.

[–] chilone (18286) a year ago

💯

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

"I AM AN ACTUAL THIEF...I HAVE STOLEN MORE SHIT IN MY LIFE THAN YOU WILL EVER OWN"

Then you belong in prison.

"THAT SAID...YOU ARE STEALING...TORRENTING IS A FORM OF THEFT AND YOU KNOW IT AS WELL AS I DO...YOUR WORD SALAD MEANS NOTHING EXCEPT THAT MAYBE YOU ARE A THIEF AND AN ASSHOLE."

Your mere assertions (and laughable attempts to redefine the words "stealing" and "theft") are dismissed, and since you have no arguments whatsoever (mere assertions are not arguments, obviously), your tacit concession is noted.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

WORD SALAD...COMPLETELY DISINGENUOUS...INABILITY TO COMPREHEND OR ACTUALLY PROCESS ANYTHING PAST YOUR FIRST RESPONSE...I THINK MOST WOULD SAY YOU CONCEDED ANY POINT LONG AGO.

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

Your entire post is a non sequitur (i.e., it doesn't logically follow from anything I said), and as such, consider it dismissed out of hand. And since you still have no arguments whatsoever, your tacit concession remains noted.

Also, I thought I had you on ignore before, for not knowing how to argue (I consider people who express disagreement but can't figure out how to support it with arguments to be as worthless as their inept posts). I'm not sure why you're not already on ignore, but I'll go ahead and fix that right now.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

FIX AWAY,MR TORRENT THIEF.😘

[–] BillySlater (4281) a year ago

"It isn't possible to steal a movie (nor anything else) via BitTorrent, so your post doesn't have anything to do with this thread.
When someone steals something, the rightful owner no longer has said something, i.e., he's suffered a tangible loss. When you "torrent" a movie, you're making a copy of it, not taking it away from someone."

If you sneak into a theatre without paying, you aren't taking something from someone either, but its still stealing. Also, just because something isn't policed doesn't mean its legal. Most police won't waste time on shoplifting either, does that mean its not stealing? Piracy isn't EXACTLY the same as theft but its illegal, you can go to prison for it. Your arguments are not good.

[–] StoneKeeper (28242) a year ago

Did you steal from friends, family and strangers or stores?

Your reply will confirm if I dial 911 or not.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

STRANGERS,STORES,OTHER THIEVES...I WILL BE HONEST AND SAY IN THE PAST I HAVE STOLEN FROM 'FRIENDS"...BUT THESE DAYS THEY WOULD NOT QUALIFY AS FRIENDS...SO IT'S KIND OF CONFUSING...I ALSO DEALT AND TOOK PAY FOR ALLOWING TH DEALING OF DRUGS FROM CERTAIN JOBS I HAD...I BURNED A HOUSE DOWN...BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF A COUPLE DOZEN PEOPLE...I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT...OH NO...I SHOT A GUY IN THE LEG...I AM 100% RETIRED/REFORMED/WHATEVER SINCE ALI WAS BORN THOUGH...15 YEARS OF THE STRAIGHT LIFE...I HAVE NO DESIRE TO GO BACKWARDS...I LIKE WHO I AM THESE DAYS A LOT MORE THAN WHO I WAS BEFORE.

[–] StoneKeeper (28242) a year ago

Reported.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE IT 20 YEARS AGO...I COULD HAVE GOTTEN A HEADSTART ON MY REFORMATION.

[–] StoneKeeper (28242) a year ago

jK

Shot a guy in the leg eh?

Bah… probably deserved it.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

HE DID NOT...BUT I WANTED SOMEONE ELSE TO KNOW I WAS CAPABLE...SOMEONE ELSE WHO PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SHOT BACK...THE GUY WHO TOOK THE BULLET WAS A KIND OF FRIEND...HE WASN'T ANYMORE AFTER THAT...BUT I MADE THE POINT I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO MAKE...HE NEVER SAW A DOCTOR...LAST I HEARD HE STILL HAD IT IN HIS LEG AND HE LIMPED BECAUSE OF IT.

[–] StoneKeeper (28242) a year ago

Shiver!

So the way I see it you were scared of a crazy motherfucker so you wanted him to think you were crazier so you shot your friend in the leg! 😆

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

HE WAS A MUTUAL FRIEND...BUT WAS AT THE TIME MOVING SOME SHIT FOR THE OTHER GUY...THE REALLY SAD PART IS...I HAVE NEVER OWNED A GUN...THE GUN WAS ACTUALLY BELONGING TO THE GUY WHO TOOK THE BULLET...I WAS HOLDING IT FOR HIM...BUT SHIT...I GOT MY ASS HANGING OUT LETTING THESE BUTTHOLES DO THEIR SHIT OUT OF THE BACK OF MY STADIUM...I AM GETTING A NICE CUT BUT WHEN YOU RUSH UP ON A GUY AT 11 AT NIGHT WITH FOUR DUDES TALKING ABOUT RENEGOTIATING AND SOME SHIT YOU HEARD FROM A DUDE WHO HEARD FROM A DUDE THAT I BEEN TALKING SHIT...WELL...UNFORTUNATE THINGS HAVE A WAY OF HAPPENING.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

I ENJOY BEING COMPLETELY FORTHCOMING WITH MY MISTAKES...I MIGHT BE BORING AND VANILLA AND A BIT BORED OUT OF MY MIND THESE DAYS...BUT THIS IS HOW I AM GOING TO STAY...CLEAN AND FREE AND 10 FEET FROM ALI...AND GRANDCHILDREN HOPEFULLY...NOT TOO SOON...BUT NOT TOO LATE EITHER.

[–] StoneKeeper (28242) a year ago

I wish that for you.

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

THANKS BUDDY.

I SUCKED AT TAKING CARE OF MYSELF OR DOING SOMETHING WITH MY LIFE...BUT I AM GREAT AT BEING ALI'S DAD.

[–] BillySlater (4281) a year ago

So you're an admitted thief, arsonist, assailant, drug dealer, and you shot someone, and you get offended when I say you aren't a good person. XD

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

YES...YES I DO.

[–] [deleted] a year ago

Teach me how to steal

[–] moviechatterer (16282) a year ago

YOUR WORD SALAD MEANS NOTHING EXCEPT THAT MAYBE YOU ARE A THIEF AND AN ASSHOLE.

well put

[–] Padeen (6459) a year ago

Thanks for the laugh. Go ahead and keep stealing, but keep in mind the title of this thread. People who do this shit are looked down upon for a reason.

[–] MaximRecoil (4830) a year ago

"Thanks for the laugh. Go ahead and keep stealing, but keep in mind the title of this thread. People who do this shit are looked down upon for a reason."

Your non sequitur is dismissed and your tacit concession that "torrenting" a movie is not theft, remains noted.

[–] SamNoyoun (6008) a year ago

Given your unabashed admiration of Adolf Hitler, I'd venture a guess that there are many things you don't understand!

[–] Kowalski (78704) a year ago

LAME POST,BRO...MAKES YOU SOUND CHILDISH AND EGOTISTICAL.

[–] beavis (3249) a year ago

i hope you find a nice safe haven and enjoy those movies, it's nice to have a collection , sucks it's gotta be digital unfortunatly

having said that, the way the world works now with streaming and internet torrents is making companies struggle for profit and the unions are striking and whatnot.

i'll admit it was cool to pirate dexter or game of thrones (popular shows) back like 10 years ago and it's unfortunate for you and for me for being so poor. I am real vulnerable right now and fear a lot for my future being a diagnosed schizo-affective person.

[–] VinceD (10366) a year ago

Never. Pay. Anything that requires some kind of monetary transaction is forbidden. The only thing you should be paying for is your connection

Setting aside the legalities and ethics for a moment; some people like to have hard copies, or physical media, of movies for a variety of reasons.

(1) Digital copies can get corrupted, erased, that type of thing. Yes, physical media can get lost or damaged too, but some people are most comfortable with a hard copy.

(2) Packaging and artwork. Alot of box/cover art is awesome and it looks cool on a shelf

(3) Pride of ownership. It's like collecting comic books and other collectibles.

[–] DoctorThirteen (15227) a year ago

This, absolutely.

[–] TheMan18 (13176) a year ago

True, but it also takes time and costs money, and also, some films for instance are virtually inaccessible or have astronomically high costs by some sellers.

[–] moviechatterer (16282) a year ago

space! it takes space .
dont forget space

[–] chilone (18286) a year ago

Theft. Period.

[–] [deleted] a year ago

Very true. When me and my buddies crash at my place to watch a film or two, I always charge them and send the appropriate fee to the publisher, plus taxes.

Otherwise it would be theft. Period.

[–] chilone (18286) a year ago

Nope.

[–] Keelai (36065) a year ago

"So what you made a rich director even richer?"
"I'll watch it, but never pay for it."

You're a liar, too.