Have been wondering lately what other geekzoners consider a pirate to be? There seems to me to be quite a range of opinion from numerous posts across different topics so thought I'd pose a few questions to see how you rate them for piracy.
I have always tried (by and large) to find legal sources for all my content. Though at times I have certainly been outside the 'letter of the law' I have always tried to keep within my own 'ethical' limits.... a kind of personal 'spirit of the law' if you will.
I know this is going to vary from person to person but just interested to see what others think and see if there is some kind of consensus.
Answer the questions two-fold: First, do you consider it piracy? Second, do you do it/have you done it? (Give reasons/qualifications/justifications if you like!)
1- Ripping a CD borrowed from a friend?
2- Ripping a hired DVD/Blu-ray?
3- Ripping a DVD/Blu-ray you have purchased? (ie for playback on a tablet/mobile phone/media server)
4- Downloading/torrenting the latest movie blockbuster?
5- Downlaoding/torrenting the latest episode of your favourite TV show THAT PLAYS HERE ON FREEVIEW, but hasn't aired here yet?
6- Downlaoding/torrenting an episode of a show THAT PLAYS HERE ON FREEVIEW that has already aired here?
7- Downloading/torrenting any episode of your fovourite TV show THAT PLAYS HERE ON SKY?
8- Using PAID FOR overseas TV/Movie streaming services? (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon etc.)
9- Using FREE overseas TV streaming services? (BBC iPlayer, ITV Player etc.)
10- Downloading music videos (or any videos) from YouTube?
There are probably other examples that you may think of but I think these give you the jist of what I'm on about...
My answers...
1- Yes and Yes. (Though if I like the CD then I'll 'legitimize' my rip by buying my own copy.)
2- Yes and No. This is definite piracy in my books.
3- No and Yes. I know format shifting video is illegal in NZ but I have no problem in doing so. Remember so was format shifting CDs not that long ago... the law needs to catch up.
4- Yes and No... Again, definite piracy.
5- Yes and No. I PVR shows I watch as they air on Freeview... I feel no need to see them the moment they air in the US!
6- Yes and Yes. If I miss an episode on the PVR I'll download it... Unless the OnDemand catchup services are working... which is usually never!
7- Yes and No. Definite piracy. This is a big reason I have Sky... how does anyone who doesn't have Sky LEGITIMATELY watch Game of Thrones??? (Not counting waiting for the Blu-ray release)
8- No and No. Only reason I don't is because our internet connection is not fast/stable enough.
9- Yes and No. Although I say yes to piracy on this I really don't see much harm. I probably would if our connection was up to it!
10- No and Yes. I frequently do, simply because a streamed version will never play smoothly (especially HD)
...and sorry for the massive post!