Yeah...
Sorry, but I had never heard of Earthlings before seeing it in a local shop of pirated "alternative" dvd.
I would have quite surely never seen it if not for a pirated copy.
This adds to what I wrote in response of Shaun important update message in the other board.

Ha! Same here. Pirated copy. And I think we both got the same one... with subtitles by Igualdad Animal.

You said you're italian. Was it with italian subtitles or spanish subtitles?

Anyhow, although I understand the position of those who are against illegal copies (I'm a musician, so it touches me directly), I think in this case it could be even positive for the producers, as a lot of people who could have never heard of the movie got to watch it, and many (like me) have go on to buy original ones anyway.

Regards,

Samuel.

Well, I am Italian but living in Argentina... Spanish subtitles...

I too understand the copyright need. As I said to Shaun in my reply to his "important updated message".
But I think that in this case the best is to guarantee the maxmun and faster possible distribution of the movie.
Here where I live no one of the 4 DVD Clubs had ever heard of the movie.
I gave a copy of it to two of them. One of them already watched it, and he was impressed, he told that he already talked of it to several clients, who are interested in watching it...
So, if it was not for me, no one in this village would have ever watched the movie.
It somehow hurts me for Shaun, but I would feel much more "guilty", toward animals, if I would not do so.

Cheers...

Ser Yo wrote:

QUOTE:

So, if it was not for me, no one in this village would have ever watched the movie.
It somehow hurts me for Shaun, but I would feel much more "guilty", toward animals, if I would not do so.

And, if there were enough people like you, the new Earthlings would not have been made (due to lack of funds) and therefore not available to 'pirate.'
BTW It's not 'pirating' - it's STEALING.
Using your 'logic' that it's OK because it's for the animals, I assume that you also steal blank DVDs to copy Earthlings onto?
Maybe you also steal AR books to give to people who are unaware of animal suffering.
I don't believe that you can't afford to buy genuine copies of Earthlings to distribute. I can, and I'm a veteran on a pension.
Your attitude is so misguided that it makes me quite angry.

Hi Geoff...
Your points are clear and true, and I agree with them generally speaking, and I am sure that you are doing the best possible thing in your circumstances.
But I do not agree with you about what you say of my case, even if I respect your opinion and it does not make me angry at all.
It is correct to say that using a non original copy of a copyrighted product is always stealing, which is never right. And I am surely not suggesting anyone to steal... I consider positive to make other people see this movie, but I would surely invite people to buy original copies while they can.
By the way, even if no circumstance can turn a wrong thing into a right one, some circumstances may bring to a “no way out” situation of having to choose between two wrong things, without being able of choosing a right one, not even willing it.
I really have not the money which you think I have. I do not live in USA or in another rich Country. I live in Argentina. I would have to pay the movie in dollars, but I live with pesos, and 1 dollar is 3.30 pesos. Even if I were in a similar economical situation than yours according to the inner standards of the Country where I live, respect to an imported product I would be in a much more disadvantaged position (in the order of the actual values' change rates). Buying original copies of Earthlings for each person I want to show it would be totally impossible.
And I am not at all in a similar economical situation than yours... Not even by far.
I am not in the situation to have to steal the virgin dvds, either. Luckily.
So, my opinion is just my opinion, but I consider that in my case what I am doing is the lesser evil...
And I will assume the responsibilities of this decision, if I will ever have to. Even if I hope not so.

Peace,

Ser

Hey Geoff,

I believe that this subject is rather problematic, for a number of reasons. I think it's good to debate it.
But I'm sure it is better not to get too emotional. It tends to make our arguments "personally-related" instead of "subject-related", which makes too difficult to debate or even communicate.

I knew about the movie through an illegal copy. I made some illegal copies too, and then bought 2 original ones. Now I'm thinking about getting a bunch more, to sell, lend and/or give them away.

Now, I don't know if there is a real difference between, for example, making illegal copies for your friends on the one hand, and lending an original to them on the other hand. In both cases your friends get to watch the movie and none of them pay a cent. What do you think?

Kind regards,

Samuel.

PS: Are you the same Geoff from the ARCO boards?