Downloaded footage : is it ethical?

Al'x · Post by **Al'x** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 2:24 pm

I just wanne discuss whether or not it is ethical to use downloaded footage in an AMV. I already know DVD is usually better... that's obvious... but I just wanne know about the ethics. Maybe you are using downloaded VOBs, so you have downloaded DVD quality.

First... I will say I don't think downloading for viewing purposes is ethical, so I'm obviously not defending it. I'm defending people who use downloaded footage for an AMV but don't use it for watching. These people might only own the VHS, or they have seen the anime but do not plan on buying the DVD and wathcing the anime again.

I basically have two main points in favour of using downloaded footage.

#1 - Forcing somebody to buy a DVD for the purpose of making an AMV is unfair
I would say that very few people buy an anime DVD for the purpose of making an AMV. Most people will already own the DVD for viewing purposes, rent the DVD, or borrow the DVD. Even some libraries have anime DVDs! In the case of a library or borrowing, the maker of the AMV is paying nothing for the footage. People who do buy the DVD only to make an AMV might be angry, because they spent their money and they think everybody else should as well. Don't be angry! I'm on your side. I think you should not be forced to spend $150 to be able to express your artistic vision and share it with people who have interest in it just because you don't live near a good library.
Don't get me wrong. Anybody who thinks they can justify pirating anime by making an AMV is kidding themselves. Like I said, I can't/won't defend people who are downloading anime for viewing purposes.

#2 - The footage used in the AMV will become available for download
When somebody makes an AMV and posts it at this site, they are making a portion of an anime available to the public for free. What is the difference between seeing that footage if you watch the AMV vs. if you make the AMV? I think the main difference is, the person who makes the AMV has done a service to the community, while the person who watches the AMV is enjoying that service. Why should the person who is giving benefits to others be punished by needing to pay $150?

Hopefully what I am saying came across clear. I just wanne say that people who want to make AMVs should not be forced to pay for anime if they are not using it for viewing purposes.

Maybe somebody will convince me I'm wrong?

Kalium · Post by **Kalium** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 2:36 pm

The general feeling is this: if the DVDs are legally available in your area, then you should be using them. There's not much excuse.

On the other hand, if it's not liscensed in your country, then fansubs are generally acceptable. Some consider a remaster when there are DVDs to be good form.

jasper-isis · Post by **jasper-isis** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 2:49 pm

Al'x wrote:#1 - Forcing somebody to buy a DVD for the purpose of making an AMV is unfair

Nobody is forcing anyone here to make AMV's.

You gotta know when to limit yourself. Making anime music videos is only one part of your life. It's a hobby. If you wanna throw some money into it and buy some DVD's, then that's fine. If you don't want to buy DVD's, then by all means do whatever you like. But like any other hobby (sports, cooking, collecting coins) you can come out with something of good quality, or you can come out with something that's not so hot. It's your choice how much time and effort and money you want to put into it.

jasper-isis · Post by **jasper-isis** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:01 pm

Forgot to mention that there's another big reason why we're such sticklers about buying DVD's. I'd say that AMVing is big part of the general anime community nowaways - and the R1 distributors have definitely noticed. By advocating the use of DVD footage, we can keep on their good side and avoid any legal issues - because AMV's are illegal, and that's the bottom line.

Suzuki_Akira · Post by **Suzuki_Akira** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:08 pm

Poor dead horse...the abuse...

AquaSky · Post by **AquaSky** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 4:50 pm

My feelings on the matter would be that domestic anime is widely enough available that there really isn't any reason to resort to piracy. Traditional video stores and online DVD rental sites are both potential resources if you're convinced that you don't like the series enough to buy it.
But the whole premise of "downloading solely to make AMVs and not to watch the anime" is shaky at best. It goes without saying that you have to watch the anime to make the video.
Basically, I'd sum it up as this : With domestic anime, there's just no justification for not going legit.

Beowulf · Post by **Beowulf** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:09 pm

IcyCloud wrote:It goes without saying that you have to watch the anime to make the video.

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.

Pwolf · Post by **Pwolf** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:21 pm

no one is forcing anyone to use dvds... i've used fansubs in the past (near and far) but i don't say i used them and i make sure there are no subs... There are a few reasons why a lot of people so no to fansubs...

1. Quality. You have to remember when this site was created that fansubs sucked qualty wise. They are better now, but they still suck compaired to dvds (well some).
2. Subtitles... they look bad in videos.
3. Legality. AMVs ARE illegal. If you didn't know that, then you should. One way of making it less illegal is to not use fansubs. Anime companies seem to like you to buy their dvd then to download a free copy of the show.
4. Good editing habit. IF you want to make an awesome amv, it needs to be done with the best footage you can get. so that means dvds qaulity video and no subs. Also, YOU SHOULDN'T EDIT WITH DIVX/XVID FOOTAGE! it's bad, don't do it unless you have to and in that case learn how to do it with avisynth.

anyway, no one is forcing you to use dvd footage or stopping you from using fansubs... it's just that if the qaulity of the video sucks, and/or it has subs in it, people are going to bitch and say you should use dvds. You wont get banned or kicked from the site if you use fansubs. This is a hobby, do whatever the fuck you want to do... the only one who can stop you is a lawyer and maybe someone's hitman >.>

Pwolf

paizuri · Post by **paizuri** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:42 pm

I would like to bake cookies for everyone here, but that's a lot of people and that would require a lot of ingredients. I also don't want to spend money, but think of all the happiness I am spreading by giving my cookies to everyone. Therefore I think I shall steal all the ingredients! No court of law could fault me for making people happy, could they?

Like Pwolf said, no one's forcing you to buy any DVDs but no one is forcing you to make AMVs either. Don't try to rationalize your anime piracy by saying you're doing it for the greater good. Just because you feel entitled to something which you have no right to doesn't make it ethical.

Pwolf · Post by **Pwolf** » Thu Aug 19, 2004 5:49 pm

paizuri wrote:I would like to bake cookies for everyone here, but that's a lot of people and that would require a lot of ingredients. I also don't want to spend money, but think of all the happiness I am spreading by giving my cookies to everyone. Therefore I think I shall steal all the ingredients! No court of law could fault me for making people happy, could they?

hehe, that's a good way of putting it

Pwolf

AnimeMusicVideos.org

Downloaded footage : is it ethical?

Downloaded footage : is it ethical?

Re: Downloaded footage : is it ethical?