Downloaded footage : is it ethical?

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 6:08 pm

Just my personal little opinion here...
If your doing something with various anime and you just need a couple little parts of some show... I really see nothing wrong with downloading and using it, ethically. However, if you are going to make a video that heavily or entirely features an anime, then I believe you should purchase it.

AquaSky · Post by **AquaSky** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 7:46 pm

Beowulf wrote:Not all the time. A large chunk of the stuff I've edited is without watching the source in the usual sense
It works, and sometimes its beneficial if you want to force yourself to use the footage as strictly imagery with no ties to the original show whatsoever.

Guess you have a point there. I can see somebody doing that, although I'd imagine it could get pretty difficult.
....Ya damn overachiever.

angieness · Post by **angieness** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:07 pm

If the series isn't liscensed I'm all for using downloaded footage, I mean unless you have a DVD player that will play Japanese DVDs, your only other option is to buy region free HK bootlegs which is worse than downloading. But if it's liscensed do the right thing and buy the series, I did a Full Metal Alchemist video with downloaded footage but I fully intend on buying the official DVDs and if I have the time, I'll be making a remaster with the DVD footage.

I know anime seems expensive to a lot of people, believe me I know, I work at Suncoast and people just come in, browse at anime, tell me about how it's too expensive, and leave without buying anything. Only about 1 out of 10 people that come into my store and look at anime actually buy it (the manga ratio is significantly better). So that's like only 10% of anime fans in my area actually purchase their anime, and thats less profit for anime companies, less money for liscensing and releasing titles, and less money for the original creators. The price of anime wouldn't be so high if everyone bought it, there's a reason tv show boxsets are cheaper than 1 anime DVD.

Support the industry if you can. If you only need the series for like 1 or 2 scenes I don't see why you should buy the DVD, but if you're using the whole series to make the video and it's available, buy the DVDs. Not one person who lives in the US (I understand other countries have a lack of anime)can say they aren't able to buy anime. You can even buy the DVDs from the companies' websites

DJ_Izumi · Post by **DJ_Izumi** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:18 pm

I did most of my videos from downloaded material. Including the ENTIRE Real Animatrix project. Some rips are good, some are terrible, it really depends. You'll find that certian pirating groups do exelent jobs at ripping and even improving the quality of animes. (Well, a lot of anime DVDs look like trash anyway)

However, recently, I've switched over to using DVDR copies of anime DVDs. Better quality overall, incredable cost, and I can add 10 or so DVDs to my collection per week. :}

AquaSky · Post by **AquaSky** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:30 pm

angieness wrote:If the series isn't liscensed I'm all for using downloaded footage, I mean unless you have a DVD player that will play Japanese DVDs, your only other option is to buy region free HK bootlegs.

Actually, there are a variety of programs available that will allow your computer to bypass DVD region coding, thus enabling you to read and rip non-R1 DVDs. So you don't actually need an R2 DVD player.

Bakadeshi [AuN Studios] · Post by **Bakadeshi [AuN Studios]** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 8:53 pm

My view on the matter ethically, is the same as fansubs. If the series is not available here, I see nothing wrong ETHICALLY with using downloaded footage, However, I DO see something wrong Technically in doing so. The video will just look like trash when your done. Unless you got some realy good quality footage. Once the series is out here though, I do see something wrong ethically in using downloaded footage. Just like with fansubs. I also think that even if you create a video with downloaded footage and the series is released afterwards, probably should buy it, but thats just me, I won't force others to. I also condone renting the anime to make the video, since at least you are still indirectly supporting the authors, though not as much as buying it. Its better than borowing from your friend anyway.

Al'x · Post by **Al'x** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:38 pm

I guess a few people didn't quite get that I mostly was referring to people who own VHS tapes. =\

When I made this topic, I was considering downloading some footage of Spirited Away, of which I already have the VHS. I decided to go ahead and buy it.

It has some pretty sweet special features! =D

So I guess I'm basically convinced.

Ironically, what really triggered me buying the DVD was DJ Izumi.

I mean... if the only person who supports my view makes herself out to be an epitome of pirating lows... I know I'm wrong.

Al'x · Post by **Al'x** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 10:40 pm

And BTW I live in Canada, and have gone so far as to buy some region 2 and even a region 3 DVD, so I have absolutely no excuse as to "I live in PAL land" or something.

Zedian · Post by **Zedian** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:33 pm

I don't find anything unethical about it, to me if you 'illegally' download something and then re-distribute it that is a whole 'nother story altogether.

billy_wires · Post by **billy_wires** » Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:53 pm

Zarxrax wrote:Just my personal little opinion here...
If your doing something with various anime and you just need a couple little parts of some show... I really see nothing wrong with downloading and using it, ethically. However, if you are going to make a video that heavily or entirely features an anime, then I believe you should purchase it.

Personally I don't want to make a video unless I like the anime. Otherwise, I feel no enthusiasm for it, and I have no dedication to it. That's why I don't really support downloading anime for videos. As far as for viewing, the general consensus is for exposure, so let's not go into that.

As for what I think:
If I want to edit a video, I'll buy it. I'll even go so far as to buy a hentai if I feel the need to do an H-video. Why? Two reasons.
1. In a perfect world, everyone would buy their stuff. I'm trying to make the world a better place. (I'm kidding). Seriously, though, by buying the DVD's I am supporting the companies that make the stuff, thusly creating a profit margin that can be used to create more stuff.
2. I hate piracy. It's fucking stupid. What the hell are you proving by downloading something rather than buying it? "Oh shit, I hate your merchandise so I will boycott it! But damn, it is usefull. What the hell, I'll download it. That'll show 'em!" No, it won't. If everybody thought this way, there would be nothing to pirate. Sorry, you're a dumbass. Also, in this world of credit, my philosophy is "If you don't have, don't get." If it's worth getting, then either buy it or wait until you can.