[RANT] It's the age old issue. But what makes the issue even worse is when a virtual airline is directly involved. What's worse than that? When someone wins a product in a contest from a retailer and chooses to give it away via piracy. Yep, we're talking about piracy again and this time around, Mathijs Kok shares his own feelings on the subject plus addresses some of the culprits in his latest discovery. He is not pleased. A very interesting read indeed! Dickheads be warned!
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37 comments:
I quote
''The prize for the absolute biggest dickhead however goes to a fine gentleman who won a free Twin Otter in our Christmas Quiz. Although he got it for free from us he started sharing it the next day, including the watermarking identifying him''
Unf***g-believable!!
No doubt he is pissed!! I have never seen him like this before. It's a very entertaining read!!
Complaining about piracy is like pissing in the wind. Getting mad does not stop it.
It also shows how ineffective Aerosoft's security is. All their security currently does is punish legitimate users.
There are more effective counter piracy technologies, most of which have a combination of having the software "phone home," and limiting the number of activations. For example, limiting the number of activations to one a day or one a week would take a pretty big bite out of the problem.
Of course, given time, such a copy protection would be cracked. But software typically has a shelf life of six months to a year. They really are only playing for time.
But the real problem is technology itself. All of economics is based on the notion of scarcity. However, with digital downloads, scarcity really vanishes as a problem.
The point is, getting mad does not solve the problem.
I'm gonna come out and be honest here, I've pirated a lot of games but that was mostly over 10 years ago. After a few years I started to realize that most of what I downloaded I didn't even finish playing and some I didn't even test at all! I just didn't appreciate it because I hadn't paid for it. The last, about 6-7 years -as I've grown older but maybe not wiser lol!- I've started to appreciate the value of things in a more mature way and I also realize how much money and effort goes in to making digital products, my concious just doesn't allow me to pirate any more BUT since we are being honest here I will admit that I DO download torrents of some sim products, mostly planes. Because I want to try them out before I splash out my hard-earned dough on them. Some developers I don't even have to, like Coolsky's DC-9, I just bought that straight up because I know it would be quality stuff and it sure was/is. Recently though there was a big holiday sale by a very well known sim developer and they had almost their whole roster of planes on sale, unfortunately I was almost skinned because of all the holiday shopping, presents, extra food and such. I could afford to buy only ONE plane even though they were all on sale for cheap (I'm un-employed atm) so I made a list of 3-4 planes that I had been wanting and downloaded them via torrent to try them out, quickly found a favourite, deleted all the torrent files and bought the plane I liked the most. Is this wrong? I don't think so, I just wish that I didn't have to resort to illegal torrent websites to get a demo ride in a 20€ piece of ones and zeroes.
You might say "why don't you go read reviews instead to make your decisions?", well I tried that when I first started buying add-on planes a couple of years ago and while most purchases have been deemed worthy of my €'s there are some duds that I wish I hadn't listened to the reviewer and bought it. It's not that reviewers can't be trusted, it's just that reviewing a virtual airplane is a highly subjective thing and a "sweet ride" for one reviewer might not be so sweet for a certain potential customer. IMO, reviews are great for reference information about a product but not for buying-advice. I just wish I could try out products "legally" instead, that's why I haven't bought FTX global yet even though people are raving about it, just too much money to take a chance on. So yeah, since developers can't stop piracy, maybe they can start releasing demo versions of their products so "the rest of us" can make our purchase decisions with a 100% clean consiouns.
Oh yes, that free Twotter-piracy dude, what an absolute ingrateful knob-head, I feel for Mathijs.
well about ineffective well aresoft has products that needs registration how ever. im no fan of it as tester you have to re-install more often then normal.. and i have got problems here and other companys.. whit that said i dont say there should be any scecurity.. but i find the way flight1 does quite nice as only you as owner can re-open the registration from the main page whit given info.. insted of sitting and wait for a re-open or silly qustions like you steal i dont find that any funny as costumer.. i want what i pay for not silly qustions like i was a criminal stealing.. as you can se from the IP it´s same location.. and spot if it sudenly changes around there is a problem.. as in the end by all the scecurity you as costumer that pay for it is the weakest point..
I would say demos might help for aircrafts.. as airports you better know what you get.. on the other hand some might get a lower sale by that.. and thats the main problem for a company.. but in the end isent it all about making the costumer happy not sad by a purchase.. I have tryeid it a lot and we all try els you are lucky.. But is no right to steal
I would say demos would help for everything. Such as FSDT, FlightBeam, UK2000, etc. Now those three aforementioned developers do not need to offer demos as they are proven high quality developers. But I think if many other developers found a way to allow demos of their products, it would stem the tide a bit.
I think many download pirate versions simply to test the product but then after a while, just keep it instead of purchasing it.
I will also say, I have personally wasted at least $300 on FS addons that turned out to be pure garbage and a waste of my money. I suppose sometimes it's a catch22...
Hi,
He bitches about piracy and says he uses 100% legal software and then states he downloads illegal big bang theory videos. Are you kidding me, just because its not related to flight sim its ok in his book. He is just as bad, more so as a developer.
I hope to not be killed for what I will say but I would like just to comment about the trial/demo.
For example in my case I have bought the ifly737, the QW avro, the PMDG777 and the majestic Q400.
Well I like all of them except the Q400. Yes without any doubt it is one of the best or the best airplane available on the market and yes I really recommend it to everyone, but, and this is just me, I haven't been able to complete a flight and I just don't feel it.
So what I do with this purchase ? Nothing,because I cannot sell it and cannot get a refund.
On the other hand I have "tried" the aerosoft A320 and like it, so it is going to be purchased really soon.
The conclusion is that, maybe a refund policy,like fligh1 or a demo/trial mode would help.
Robi
It is easier to pirate a product than to legally purchase it. This is especially true for Aerosoft products, with some exceptions of course.
You only need the installer and one crackes file to replace during installation and you are done. I have used this on Aerosoft products that I have bought, just because it is less of a hassle.
As long as the illegal way is easier than the legal way, piracy will continue to be a problem.
I my opinion, FSDT & FlightBeam have the perfect system: easy to use for customers and a demo mode to help you decide. I love using the Addon Manager to purchase addons.
I feel bad for Mathijs. The 'Twin Otter guy' must have been a trigger for this, which is completely understandable. I would be furious too...
Hi,
I just read Mathijs Kok's rant about piracy. First off I find it ridiculous that he would blast anyone stealing anything from anyone, when he himself openly admits stealing big bang theory videos. Stealing is stealing, irregardless of content. Whenever I see this person rant about piracy in the future, I'll give it all the attention it deserves.... NONE. Your a pirate yourself Mathijs Kok, it may not be flightsim software, but you are still a self admitted pirate. Time to get off your high horse, OK.... Let all the Aerosoft supporters come to his indefensible defense.
@ last warning. No not post as anonymous!!
In Mathijs defense, Big Bang Theory is a free network television show paid for by advertising. Its not a "premium" subscription show like cable Netflix, or sat. So with that said, its no different than if he were to Tivo or record the show without commercials which is perfectly legal. The world has done it for years with the VCR. The person breaking the law in that case is the uploader for distrubting the content. The show is available to view on the network website and app here in the states to view on demand but may not be avail in Europe so I see nothing wrong with that.
Hi,
No its not, every television station... EVERY television station end of day content clearly states their broadcast content may not be redistributed and/or rebroadcast without the expressed written consent of the network. Sorry, you are wrong.
Hi,
Want additional proof, straight from CBS's web site. 4. Intellectual Property; License
The content, information, data, designs, code, and materials associated with the Services (“Content”) are protected by intellectual property and other laws. You must comply with all such laws and applicable copyright, trademark or other legal notices or restrictions.
Subject to these Terms, you may access and use the Services only for your own personal, non-commercial use. We reserve all other rights to the Services and Content, and you may not otherwise copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, display, perform, or create derivative works of the Services or Content without our permission. You also may not transfer or sublicense this limited right to use the Services or resell the Services.
Hi,
So, if the big bang theory episodes are available to view online. He may watch them ONLINE... But he CANNOT copy them to his hard drive and watch them.
@Mike, if you use Tivo, is that not copying to a harddrive???
The most suising aspect of Mathis' rant? That he likes the Big Bang Theory!
Not sure why people think it's ok to steal software....it's not. Hey dickheads...support our developers!
Hi,
Just because you can do it, does not make it legal. Mathijs includes the statement that he is no angel because he knows its wrong to download and watch the Big Bang Theory, but he does it anyway. As far as VCR's, there were plenty of legal content that was available to record, such as PBS, so your VCR story doesn't hold water as well. Also back in those days, television stations went off the air at night. The last thing one would see prior to the nation anthem was their broadcast rights the the prohibited copy/redistribution/display of their broadcast day. Piracy is piracy, irregardless of content, if your going to bitch about piracy you shouldn't be doing it yourself.
In some (east) countries of European Union, its legal to download software/movies/music.. everything for own needs.
So are you saying "Tivoing" is illegeal?
Hi,
It depends on the agreement between parties. I am allowed to select programs that my cable box records. After a certain period, items are automatically removed. Why, more than likely, the copy/view agreement has expired. Want more proof, take a look at Netflix, after a certain time frame playable items are automatically removed from Netflix. Why?, because the agreement has come to an end.
What does that have to do with using Tivo? Are ill repeat the question, is it your position that using Tivo to record television programs illegeal?
Illegal. Sorry I keep sphelling it wrong...
Hi,
Again, it depends on the agreement that may or may not exist between all parties involved. If no agreement exists, then its illegal, if an agreement exists or if its free domain, then its legal. Trying to figure out what part of that you don't understand
Hi,
Irregardless of the hardware device used, it comes down to agreements/contracts or whatever you want to call it between all parties involved.
I just love how you are refusing to directly answer my question.
Tivo, advertises itself as a recorder of network television shows designed to not only omit commercials , but it also tracks your watching habits and automatically records shows it thinks you will like. If that were so illegal, the networks and MPAA would be all over each other to squash it.
Instead, Tivo generates millions annually in sales with no complaint from the networks. I maintain my position, downloading a free show by other means is no different. You cant kick someone who downloads it but not kick someone who records it.
But based on your statement, the way I see it, if someone uses a VCR to record a TV show to watch later, they are breaking the law and are thus a pirate.
...unless they somehow research the network contracts to see if it's okay to do so under a certain time period... LOL! Sorry.
Hi,
Do you have any inside / private contractual information in regards to agreements that exist between TIVO and the content providers?. I think not, therefore your arguments are based on assumption.
I've answered your question, more than once. You just don't like the answer. Back to the original topic at hand, Mathijs Kok is 100% wrong.
Please continue this offtopic disscussion via email...
It's not a matter of whether I like your argument or not, it's a matter of you making really odd statements. Now you seem to assume there are contractual agreements between Tivo and the television networks? Come on Mike... Tivo has no more of a contract with networks than my nipple has a contract with a glass of milk.
Tivo also can be used to record premium cable network shows including those shown on HBO. There are no contracts there Mike... But i'll go on and accept your opinion there...
@KLM, if I choose to discuss dog food here I will. Remember who keeps the show running. It's not you thus you have no position to make such requests. This issue is directly on topic as it addresses a direct statement from the referenced article.
I download EVERYTHING before I buy it and if it's crap I uninstall it and delete the Torrent. I have; in the past, bought products that where garbage and I will try to avoid it if I can. I'm very, very glad we are having an open, honest discussion about this DAndre. If we tried this over at AVSIM.com Tom would ban all of us lol!
The tivo service is covered by various licensing agreements that allow you to record tv, usually done in blanket deals that cover various distributors each time. In the UK they are intrinsically linked to the content 'distirbutor', virgin media. It is all fully legal.
Downloading episodes of anything from anywhere not covered by a licence agreement is 'piracy' (though technically it's a bit more complicated than that, in law). And streaming = downloading.
I agree with the general sentiment of the aerosoft guy, but opening the piece the way he does is farcical.
Sorry!
"...Tivo has no more of a contract with networks than my nipple has a contract with a glass of milk."
errr.....that really made me chcukle! :P
@D'Andre: My apologies :)
I do it like some other people here: I download the add-ons I might be interested in and see for myself if the add-on is good enough for me. Of course, if the developer or publisher supports a hassel-free money back guarentee, I use that instead.
But I do understand that such a system wouldn´t work for Aerosoft, since their safety system for their products is pretty weak. However making a strong anti-piracy-wall is his business, not ours and if he thinks that too many of his products a stolen, well then go ahead, do your homework and improof the system.
Also if he decides to neither do that, nor refunds or give out demos for products, nothing will change. People simply want to test for their very own what they buy, before they put their money on the table.Thats it.
Especially FSX related products are known to be bitchy and we all know that one add-on might be running really fast on an old and crappy pc and perform like shit on a high-end pc for no reason. And that is the reason why a demo in some way, that everyone can test for itself, is so important! No matter how good a review is, the only thing sealing a deal for me is a demo on my very personal computer in some way. Look at couatl, very good system for both parties in my eyes.
This is just my opinion. And btw, I also publish products for FSX, but also Apps for Android and iOS. Some are for free, some arent - but if I charge something for my products, I know that I either have to protect it agianst piracy like its fortknox, or that i´ll have to live with the fact that not every customer is paying. And this is nothing that happens only to the internert business. Just ask a normal store areound the corner. They will tell you that they calculate in a certain amount of money for products beeing stolen. Its (a bad) part of the selling business, but its a part of it - so get used to it or build your very own fortknow of anti-piracy!
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