Comments on: Filesharing: Why the government should proceed with caution and what you can do to influence the debate. http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/ The inside track since 2003 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:10:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Another Dave http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-2/#comment-111255 Another Dave Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:50:30 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-111255 The major flaw in the governments and record companies argument (and also that of any content providers) is that they assume that every illegal download amounts to a lost sale. This is simply not the case. I have not watched broadcast TV for years and am now totally used to the convenience of watching what I want when I want. I watch a number of TV shows which whilst they may be showing on TV are often not on iPlayer or similar and are not available on DVD. The current argument goes that If I could not download these illegally I would have to buy them. Well I would not, I would just start watching broadcast Tv again for free. The same goes for music, if I could not download I would just listen to the radio alot more (and record the chart show) like I did when I was a kid. I would not buy more music if I could not download. I think that even if these plans do succeed in stamping out downloading (which they wont) the industry is in for a massive shock- they will not suddenly be selling everything that is currently being downloaded. In fact if my experience is anything like typical, they will sell less because people like me will not find new things they fall in love with (and buy) because they will not be able to afford to branch out and experiment. The major flaw in the governments and record companies argument (and also that of any content providers) is that they assume that every illegal download amounts to a lost sale. This is simply not the case. I have not watched broadcast TV for years and am now totally used to the convenience of watching what I want when I want. I watch a number of TV shows which whilst they may be showing on TV are often not on iPlayer or similar and are not available on DVD. The current argument goes that If I could not download these illegally I would have to buy them. Well I would not, I would just start watching broadcast Tv again for free.

The same goes for music, if I could not download I would just listen to the radio alot more (and record the chart show) like I did when I was a kid. I would not buy more music if I could not download.

I think that even if these plans do succeed in stamping out downloading (which they wont) the industry is in for a massive shock- they will not suddenly be selling everything that is currently being downloaded. In fact if my experience is anything like typical, they will sell less because people like me will not find new things they fall in love with (and buy) because they will not be able to afford to branch out and experiment.

]]> By: Dave http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-110717 Dave Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:18:16 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-110717 I don’t know if this will actually help your argument or not but to be completely frank with you as a downloader, if the content is good I buy I have no qualms in that and I do think that this is the attitude of the vast majority of p2p, I do and will continue support good content, if its dross its their lose. I don’t know if this will actually help your argument or not but to be completely frank with you as a downloader, if the content is good I buy I have no qualms in that and I do think that this is the attitude of the vast majority of p2p, I do and will continue support good content, if its dross its their lose.

]]> By: Jaysen http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-102894 Jaysen Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:48:35 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-102894 One of the things you may find of interest is that ISPs in the US may be about to cave in to the music industry's demands. Of course, they have their own agenda for doing so. Check out the story on The Music Void - http://bit.ly/ajhcCI One of the things you may find of interest is that ISPs in the US may be about to cave in to the music industry’s demands. Of course, they have their own agenda for doing so. Check out the story on The Music Void – http://bit.ly/ajhcCI

]]> By: Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin … | The Wardman Wire http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-99609 Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin … | The Wardman Wire Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:07:12 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-99609 [...] Wardman • December 17, 2009 One of these is a Pirate, the other is a stout defender of a realistic approach to people whom Lord Mandelbrot and friends think are [...] [...] Wardman • December 17, 2009 One of these is a Pirate, the other is a stout defender of a realistic approach to people whom Lord Mandelbrot and friends think are [...]

]]> By: Labour MP: Resisting filesharing is ‘futile’ @ Technology News http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-91119 Labour MP: Resisting filesharing is ‘futile’ @ Technology News Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:15:57 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-91119 [...] had previously written on his blog: “Not only do the sanctions ultimately risk criminalising a large proportion of UK citizens, [...] [...] had previously written on his blog: “Not only do the sanctions ultimately risk criminalising a large proportion of UK citizens, [...]

]]> By: Christopher Wilkinson http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-86381 Christopher Wilkinson Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:00:12 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-86381 Dear Tom Watson: I think we should talk. In 2008 the ISOC-ECC.ORG presented detailed comments on the FR 3 strikes law. Please send me coordinates, CW: +32 479 396 365 (Chair ISOC-ECC, Member Coop party, friend of Barry Sheerman etc. etc. - this is NOT a trivail approach.) Dear Tom Watson:

I think we should talk. In 2008 the ISOC-ECC.ORG presented detailed comments on the FR 3 strikes law.

Please send me coordinates,

CW: +32 479 396 365

(Chair ISOC-ECC, Member Coop party, friend of Barry Sheerman etc. etc. – this is NOT a trivail approach.)

]]> By: Weekly email 2009-08(Aug)-20 « Culture Politick http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-84685 Weekly email 2009-08(Aug)-20 « Culture Politick Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:20:20 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-84685 [...] On the same “clear as mud theme”, Timms has given some contradictory and confusing interviews outlining the Government’s approach HERE and HERE and HERE. He makes clear that the Government will pursue top-slicing, even though the issue is still being consulted on.  In The Daily Telegraph he confirms the telephone tax, but in the Sunday Times says it will be delayed until after the election.  He hints that he will bring forward measures to criminalise illegal file-sharers and to give Ofcom power to block illegal sites and slow internet connections.  There’s speculation in The Sunday Times of a Labour rift on this last issue, and the reason why BIS is performing a u-turn HERE.  We think we know who changed Mandy’s mind, and it wasn’t Geffen.  You can read Tom Watson’s concerns HERE. [...] [...] On the same “clear as mud theme”, Timms has given some contradictory and confusing interviews outlining the Government’s approach HERE and HERE and HERE. He makes clear that the Government will pursue top-slicing, even though the issue is still being consulted on.  In The Daily Telegraph he confirms the telephone tax, but in the Sunday Times says it will be delayed until after the election.  He hints that he will bring forward measures to criminalise illegal file-sharers and to give Ofcom power to block illegal sites and slow internet connections.  There’s speculation in The Sunday Times of a Labour rift on this last issue, and the reason why BIS is performing a u-turn HERE.  We think we know who changed Mandy’s mind, and it wasn’t Geffen.  You can read Tom Watson’s concerns HERE. [...]

]]> By: Renegade http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-84504 Renegade Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:19:17 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-84504 Hi Tom, I am currently drafting a response to the consultation which will hopefully be complete at some point this weekend. I come at this from the community support site (which I have entered as my website). If you view the press link on the site you'll find a summary of extremely concerning action being taken by a law firm which far exceeds the proposals made by Peter Mandelson. Many (hundreds of) people have been wrongly accused of filesharing in the past two years, have received 3 or 4 letters each. No progress has been made with recourse through the SRA, and so far no-one has had a contested case tried in court. I'd be keen to hear your opinion on this action, especially as Peter Mandelson's proposal, and the Digital Britain report at least encourage prior warning, and details of network security before sending out letters of claim. If you would like more detail please read the site, and feel free to email me. Kind Regards 'Renegade' Hi Tom,

I am currently drafting a response to the consultation which will hopefully be complete at some point this weekend.

I come at this from the community support site (which I have entered as my website). If you view the press link on the site you’ll find a summary of extremely concerning action being taken by a law firm which far exceeds the proposals made by Peter Mandelson.

Many (hundreds of) people have been wrongly accused of filesharing in the past two years, have received 3 or 4 letters each. No progress has been made with recourse through the SRA, and so far no-one has had a contested case tried in court.

I’d be keen to hear your opinion on this action, especially as Peter Mandelson’s proposal, and the Digital Britain report at least encourage prior warning, and details of network security before sending out letters of claim.

If you would like more detail please read the site, and feel free to email me.

Kind Regards
‘Renegade’

]]> By: We need to make our voice heard on file-sharing  http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-83699 We need to make our voice heard on file-sharing  Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:55:46 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-83699 [...] Please also don’t forget to share you views on the in the comments section of this dowloading post. [...] [...] Please also don’t forget to share you views on the in the comments section of this dowloading post. [...]

]]> By: Liberal Conspiracy » We need to make our voice heard on file-sharing http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2009/08/filesharing-why-the-government-should-proceed-with-caution-and-what-you-can-do-to-influence-the-debate/comment-page-1/#comment-83663 Liberal Conspiracy » We need to make our voice heard on file-sharing Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:00:33 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=3595#comment-83663 [...] Please also don’t forget to share you views on the in the comments section of this dowloading post. [...] [...] Please also don’t forget to share you views on the in the comments section of this dowloading post. [...]

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