News and commentary about the intersection of information technology, politics, and policy presented by the members of Digital Politics, a course at Hamilton College.
Thanks, Kenneth C. Greene, for sticking up for college students nationwide. One of Greene’s key points is the MPAA’s arrogance; at what point is paying for piracy detection software more important than student safety and emergency notification systems? I enjoy movies and other forms of entertainment just as much as the next student, but there is more to the world than Hollywood. Granted, stealing digital media is not ok and should not go completely disregarded. As highlighted on the MPAA website, piracy hurts not only the entertainment industry, but the economy and consumers in general.
In the wake of the VT tragedy, Greene points to schools’ need for new emergency systems as one reason why many can’t afford piracy detection software. Admittedly, I think the newly implemented emergency system at Hamilton (the one that is in fact highlighted in Greene’s article) is a bit absurd and shockingly expensive, especially considering it seems to be in its developmental stages (the results of the first few tests on campus were sub-par as you may recall). Nonetheless, I say with a hint of sarcasm that I am comforted by our administration’s decision to implement the new emergency system over software that detects pirated movies on the network. Baring in mind my previous post concerning the software YOUDiligence, Hamilton may very well have the best interest of their institution AND students in mind.
If the MPAA is so adamant that schools implement their software, why don't they eat the costs and give it away? Well, first they would need to create software that works, but making the software available to colleges and universities free of charge could potentially be a big money saver in the long run. I think it is their responsibility; part of the movie industry’s struggle is rooted in their unwillingness to advance with the growing technology. They may feature technological improvements in films with all sorts of special effects and digitized editing techniques, but of screen they seem surprisingly reluctant. Furthermore, the movie industry is (or was) at an advantage; they bared witness to the music industry undergoing this same struggle. The movie industry had the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and be proactive, but now they are stuck in a retaliatory position, arrogantly combating digital movie pirates.
1 comment:
Thanks, Kenneth C. Greene, for sticking up for college students nationwide. One of Greene’s key points is the MPAA’s arrogance; at what point is paying for piracy detection software more important than student safety and emergency notification systems? I enjoy movies and other forms of entertainment just as much as the next student, but there is more to the world than Hollywood. Granted, stealing digital media is not ok and should not go completely disregarded. As highlighted on the MPAA website, piracy hurts not only the entertainment industry, but the economy and consumers in general.
In the wake of the VT tragedy, Greene points to schools’ need for new emergency systems as one reason why many can’t afford piracy detection software. Admittedly, I think the newly implemented emergency system at Hamilton (the one that is in fact highlighted in Greene’s article) is a bit absurd and shockingly expensive, especially considering it seems to be in its developmental stages (the results of the first few tests on campus were sub-par as you may recall). Nonetheless, I say with a hint of sarcasm that I am comforted by our administration’s decision to implement the new emergency system over software that detects pirated movies on the network. Baring in mind my previous post concerning the software YOUDiligence, Hamilton may very well have the best interest of their institution AND students in mind.
If the MPAA is so adamant that schools implement their software, why don't they eat the costs and give it away? Well, first they would need to create software that works, but making the software available to colleges and universities free of charge could potentially be a big money saver in the long run. I think it is their responsibility; part of the movie industry’s struggle is rooted in their unwillingness to advance with the growing technology. They may feature technological improvements in films with all sorts of special effects and digitized editing techniques, but of screen they seem surprisingly reluctant. Furthermore, the movie industry is (or was) at an advantage; they bared witness to the music industry undergoing this same struggle. The movie industry had the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and be proactive, but now they are stuck in a retaliatory position, arrogantly combating digital movie pirates.
Post a Comment