ESA Drops SOPA Support

[OmegaFenix]

The Entertainment Software Association, a trade group that represents U.S video game publishers, has dropped its support for the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).


"From the beginning, ESA has been committed to the passage of balanced legislation to address the illegal theft of intellectual property found on foreign rogue sites," the group said in a statement released to media outlets. "Although the need to address this pervasive threat to our industry's creative investment remains, concerns have been expressed about unintended consequences stemming from the current legislative proposals.


"Accordingly, we call upon Congress, the Obama Administration, and stakeholders to refocus their energies on producing a solution that effectively balances both creative and technology interests. As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection and are committed to working with all parties to encourage a balanced solution."


The ESA said earlier this month it strongly supported the bill.


Earlier today, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid postponed the January 24 vote for the PIPA bill, while House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued a statement this morning saying he will delay action on the SOPA.


A list of all the video game companies that are members of the ESA can be found here. The ESA also hosts E3, the annual trade show held in Los Angeles.

Source: GameInformer

[MOnk]

It's easy to drop support for a bill AFTER it's been shelved just to look cool and save face but everyone knows it's a farce.

[Sou1Co11ector]

ESA you suck!

And your member companies who said they don't support SOPA are all douches for lying, even the good companies!

[Kryptyk]

SOPA, as much as the whole internet hates it, is in one way or another going to be passed. Not in it's current format, oh no. But they will eventually get their way, which is sad.

As some may know, alot of file sharing sites have been taken down by the FBI. They didn't even need SOPA to do so, you know why? Copyright infringement is still copyright infringement. And it's reached boiling point now. Piracy is rampant as more and more people learn about free stuff that is easily accessible to them and not just the neighbourhood nerd.

[OmegaFenix]

SOPA, as much as the whole internet hates it, is in one way or another going to be passed. Not in it's current format, oh no. But they will eventually get their way, which is sad.

As some may know, alot of file sharing sites have been taken down by the FBI. They didn't even need SOPA to do so, you know why? Copyright infringement is still copyright infringement. And it's reached boiling point now. Piracy is rampant as more and more people learn about free stuff that is easily accessible to them and not just the neighbourhood nerd.

Actually only MegaUpload was taken down, the rest amended their sharing policies to cover their own behind.

[Kuga]

Source: GameInformer

[OmegaFenix]

<Aged Piracy is not theft argument>

I will not rehash this argument.

If I make something and sell it, you make a copy of what I made and give it away for free therefore affecting my sales you are stealing from me. Just because it doesn't line up with a pre-digital definition of theft doesn't mean that piracy isn't theft.

pi·ra·cy

   [pahy-ruh-see] Show IPAnoun, plural -cies.1.


practice of a

pirate

; robbery or illegal violence at sea.

rob·ber·y

   [rob-uh-ree] Show IPAnoun, plural -ber·ies.1.the act, the practice, or an instance of robbing.

2.

Law . the felonious taking of the property of another from his or her person or in his or her immediate presence, against hisor her

will

, by violence or intimidation.

[MOnk]

If I make something and sell it, you make a copy of what I made and give it away for free therefore affecting my sales you are stealing from me. Just because it doesn't line up with a pre-digital definition of theft doesn't mean that piracy isn't theft.

Aye was about to say, you are still robbing someone of a potential sale hence denying them the money they would have made. Nor do I see how it creates artificial scarcity, I can go to the Steam store any time of day, any day of the week and buy every single game in their catalogue. Just because I have to pay for it doesn't make it scarce.

[Kuga]

I will not rehash this argument.

If I make something and sell it, you make a copy of what I made and give it away for free therefore affecting my sales you are stealing from me. Just because it doesn't line up with a pre-digital definition of theft doesn't mean that piracy isn't theft.

If you make something what? Physically or digitally?

But nonetheless, lets move on shall we?

Counter rebuttal. What happens when 3D scanning and printing becomes cheaper? It is already here, just not cheap enough for the average Joe.

If you design the next best uber fuel saving motor, and I break into your place and 3D scan and print it for myself, is it considered theft?

Aye was about to say, you are still robbing someone of a potential sale hence denying them the money they would have made. Nor do I see how it creates artificial scarcity, I can go to the Steam store any time of day, any day of the week and buy every single game in their catalogue. Just because I have to pay for it doesn't make it scarce.

No. If someone copyright infringes, they would never have bought it in the first place.

However, there are some circumstances where people actually do buy the game after they have copyright infringed.

I have bought Sins of the Solar Empire after I copyright infringed, because it was so freakin cool.

What people should do rather than trying to fight copyright infringement, is to have demo's and shareware versions.. anyone remember those days?

[OmegaFenix]

If you design the next best uber fuel saving motor, and I break into your place and 3D scan and print it for myself, is it considered theft?

I'm sorry but I am unable (or more accurately unwilling) to debate this topic, or any other topic, with anyone stupid enough to pose an as utterly moronic a question as the one above to me & expect anything but the most sarcastic reply my not inconsiderable mind can compile.

What people should do rather than trying to fight copyright infringement, is to have demo's and shareware versions.. anyone remember those days?

FYI there still are demos....