Michael Moore movie suffers legal crackdown over file sharing

04 Oct 08 07:56 by Randomus in category Uncategorized To news archive

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Any time Hollywood invites movie viewers to share a free movie, the situation could end up dicey for both sides.

Michael Moore had good intentions when he offered his latest movie, Slacker Uprising, free of charge on the Internet, but his initial plan has backfired.

Slacker Uprising was released last month for free to North American viewers, with a letter from Moore inviting them to share the video. Movie viewers listened, deciding to begin offering the film through peer-to-peer networks and torrent trackers across the country.

After signing up to download the movie, users are sent an e-mail with the following opening sentence:

"Thanks for signing up to download Slacker Uprising. It is available for free as a gift from me to all of you. And you have my permission to share it or show it in any way you see fit."

The film studio does not find offense to users sharing it through BitTorrent, but because of licensing issues, it’s supposed to be a North American only offer. Sharing the film through torrents means international users now have access to the film.

A few different torrent web sites have received cease-and-desist letters from the company that owns Slacker Uprising’s copyrights.

Any person or web site sharing the file for users outside of the United States or Canada is technically infringing on the movie studio’s copyrights. Westside Productions owns the film’s copyrights, and plans to continue issuing cease-and-desist letters to any file sharers caught uploading videos to foreign viewers.

More than two million U.S. and Canadian users visited the official Slacker Uprising web site during the film’s first week of release.

13 Comments

Crabbyappleton: Posts: 5757; Posted on: 04 Oct 08 16:23

Nice picture for the story!

Zod: Posts: 462; Posted on: 04 Oct 08 18:01

I guess the only way to solve that, would be to release his own movies like George Lucas did with Star Wars, that way you own the rights, but you can negotiate with a company for distribution, but thats it.

guest: Posts: 15288; Posted on: 04 Oct 08 22:08

Considering how Moore manipulated distribution information on "Fahrenheit 911" (stated that Disney would not distibute the film after seeing its contents when he was told at the very start that Disney would not distribute a purely political film within the US), let alone his track record of fabrication, why would anyone trust anything he says on anything?

johnnyjt: Posts: 68; Posted on: 05 Oct 08 01:42

In American Carol he gets slapped all over the place, which he deserves!

JohnnyJY

South Philly

psychoace: Posts: 351; Posted on: 05 Oct 08 02:31

As much as I absolutly hate Michael Moore I think American Carol is a pathetic attempt by the lame republicans of the world to get under his skin. It looks like a mix between Epic Movie and crap. I also saw parts of this movie and it's nothing more then a masterbatory picture for Michael Moore to put in his collection of movies he masterbates too.

Also I belive I read something about this being only available for free for a 3 week period of time. Not sure if I got the fact check on that one correct though

punistation: Posts: 51; Posted on: 05 Oct 08 03:10

It's not the first time I've been to an American website to see some video clip someone recommended, only to see a "not permitted to be viewed outside United States" image instead.

And everyone attacking Moore now is merely jealous. Jealous of his success and bravery to speak his mind (instead of anonymous Internet posts), with a dash of partisan hate thrown in. He offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who could find a single fabrication in Fahrenheit 9/11. Did any of YOU claim it? No? Funny, that.

guest: Posts: 15288; Posted on: 05 Oct 08 12:10

He doesn't use many outright fabrications. He just quotes people out of context and edits out material that does not agree with his slatned views. There is plenty of evidence of this and it is no better than using outright fabrications. It's the same type of crap that the looser crowd uses for their whack-job conspiracy theories.

shaolin007: Posts: 883; Posted on: 07 Oct 08 07:49

@punistation

Uhh, try reading the 9/11 Commision report sometime. They have this blocked out section in there, where a blind man could read it, that says no one was allowed to leave the US, after 9/11 attacks, even Saudis. Shall I go on? I had to watch this pathetic propaganda movie, that was intentionally released during a political season to try and influence an election, due to a class I was in at the time. Next time, try to do some research on something someone says instead of just taking it at face value.

CJF1983: Posts: 80; Posted on: 09 Oct 08 06:12

I guess election season is in full swing with all the mud being thrown and partisan bickering why can't Republican's for a change stop being so nasty and ignorent in there attempt to win the election? I as an Independent am extremely turned off by this type of campaigning so much I am seriously considering voting Democrat this November.

CJF1983: Posts: 80; Posted on: 09 Oct 08 06:24

Michael Moore should be able to speak his mind when did freedom of speech end in 2004? refresh my memory I thought we had the free right to voice our own views. And what is this that other countrys can't view this film I mean what nonsense.

shaolin007: Posts: 883; Posted on: 09 Oct 08 15:36

@CJF1983

You are right, Michael Moore has the right to talk about whatever he wants even though he might be a total idiot. And, if idiots want to go see his silly movies, then they have that freedom to do so too.

I am Republican but I am NOT voting for McCain. I don't care if he has a conservative VP or not. I am not going to sacrifice my beliefs so I can be a cheerleader for my jersey. Sorry RINO's, homey don't play that. On the flip side, I am not going to vote Obama/Biden either. They will only increase goverment even more just like the RINO's did during the GWB administration. I guess I will have to vote Nader,even though I don't believe in his views but he doesn't have a chance getting elected, or sign my own name in this year. Looks like I will be changing my party affiliation after the election to independent. If a candidate ever runs on "term limits". He has my vote. I think the biggest problem with our goverment at the moment are these "career" politicians who stay in their position for decades! I think a person should serve a max of 2 years in ANY office and can't run for that office again! He or she can run for a higher or lower office but never that one again. That way, new blood is constantly be circulated in and out ;and instead of someone moping about getting something done, they gotta actually work for a change to earn those tax payers dollars paying their exoborant salaries. Pay should not be a concern of someone running for office. Serving the people should be the ONLY thing on that person's mind! Sorry for the rant but I had to get it out!

CJF1983: Posts: 80; Posted on: 10 Oct 08 00:26

Shaolin007 I can agree to term limits infact we in my state for the first time set term limits on Mayors which I believe is a step in the right direction. We as American's can change our political system but it's going to be a tough fight for sure.

shaolin007: Posts: 883; Posted on: 10 Oct 08 02:19

@CJF1983

Glad to hear that. Hopefully, that will spread.

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Michael Moore movie suffers legal crackdown over file sharing

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