Government to censor the Internet

[klystron]

Government anti-piracy "policies" are a case study in the 'follow the money' line of thinking. Basically, media companies refuse to rapidly move with the times and adopt new methods of monetizing their products. Sure, it is slowly starting to happen, but there is still a long way to go. (Eg: Think about how negatively the music industry used to view mp3. Now you can buy direct off itunes, telstra, or the artists site).
I have a T-Box which is a fantastic device as it allows you to watch new movies without leaving your coach. The $5 cost is added to your monthly bill. Yep, its $5 more than a free download, but it is a lot less hassle, and guaranteed good quality. This has actually lead to me d/l'ing less movies. Foxtel is available on the Tbox too. The channels are all there and streamed over the net (unmetered). So why can I not just pay to watch a GoT episode on HBO? Is it really that hard? Why do I have to get a monthly package, for 12 months? (Oh, the money thing again. $30/month times 12 = $360 divided by 10 GoT episodes = $36/episode. Yeah, I don't think so).
Media companies would rather force the govt to police the internet as they know there is no way that they can themselves.

Anyway what I really wanted to say was, from a computer POV, there is NO WAY that the government (or any other corporation or lobby group) can 'censor' the internet with the goal of preventing illegal downloads. There are simply too many ways around whatever restrictions are put in place. And many methods to hide your online activities.
Just look at TPB. And internet censorship in China.

I could on and on, but I won't. Internet censorship really, really pisses me off!


Disclaimer: The $36/ep thing is only an example. I really don't know any details on foxtel prices and packages.

[AJ_Prime]

TBH I can't see this happening.

Firstly, IInet won a case. You can't just overturn a legal case because the outcome didn't suit you. It undermines the entire justice system, as well as your party's reputation for even considering it.

Secondly, I highly doubt that ISP's will spend the money necessary to police internet activity on every one of their customers, set up systems to determine the content that is considered "illegal", send them warnings, shape them, whatever. It's simply too costly. To afford this setup they would have to charge their customers more, meaning a LOT of lost business.

Seriously, the main reason that Australia has one of the highest rates of internet piracy is simply because much of the content we want is not available in Australia, and when it is, IT'S LATE!! We've already read the spoilers on social media and international news websites. WTF?!

It's music to my ears to hear that Netflix are considering setting up in Australia. Cheap, unlimited content? Yes please!

[Trent]

You realise Gok that if Netflix sets up here, it won't have nearly as much content as it has in the US purely because the rights to a lot of content are already held by Foxtel and the like. It will be a very trimmed down version.

[Omega Metro]

You realise Gok that if Netflix sets up here, it won't have nearly as much content as it has in the US purely because the rights to a lot of content are already held by Foxtel and the like. It will be a very trimmed down version.

And it will be expensive. Just like every thing else here.

[5FDP]

True story - a couple of years ago, one of the directors of the ACMA contacted my work saying that his internet seemed to have slowed to a crawl. Upon investigating, it appeared as though he/she was capped due to excessive downloading every night for the past several weeks. As it turns out, his/her child had been scheduling torrents during the night and used up all the data in their plan. This is a kid of one of the head honchos running the ACMA. So before Malcolm Turnbull starts running his mouth off about suing parents, maybe they should start by looking within

You realise Gok that if Netflix sets up here, it won't have nearly as much content as it has in the US purely because the rights to a lot of content are already held by Foxtel and the like. It will be a very trimmed down version.

And it will be expensive. Just like every thing else here.

You are both right on this point.

[griffin]

You realise Gok that if Netflix sets up here, it won't have nearly as much content as it has in the US purely because the rights to a lot of content are already held by Foxtel and the like. It will be a very trimmed down version.

Too many politicians and their (business owner) friends have a stake in Foxtel... so it will be well protected from any competition to its monopoly.

One of the big problems is that they are treating Foxtel as the same broadcast medium as free-to-air TV or online streaming... when it should be treated as its own broadcast medium (like radio, FTA-TV, Internet, pay-TV, newspapers, magazines). Each has its own realm and competitors... and exclusive rights to that broadcast medium.
Foxtel should be competing against other Pay-TV companies (like cable channels compete in America), but due to the way that broadcast medium was set up by the Federal Government, and then created a domineering juggernaut in the communications field of phones and Pay-TV when they sold off Telstra, Foxtel soon became a monopoly to Pay-TV (and phones).
It shouldn't be a direct competitor to FTA-TV, or Internet streaming of content, just because they've now crushed all opposition in the Pay-TV realm. The point of Pay-TV is to watch the same programs without advertising... that's what you are paying directly for, instead of indirectly on FTA-TV by patronising the advertisers. If Pay-TV keeps expanding on their exclusive content to the point of it being the only source of all the hit shows and sports, they'll start treating it like regular TV and fill the thing with commercials because exclusive content will be the incentive to pay for a subscription. (they haven't promoted "commercial free" for a long time now anyway)

Each of the other broadcast mediums are treated as separate for content, ratings and exclusive programming deals, so Foxtel shouldn't be given exclusive rights over other broadcast mediums. Otherwise, we will see more problems and more corruption by politicians protecting their investments, and their family and friends' investments, by prioritising and protecting Foxtel.

[shokwave2]

And it will be expensive. Just like every thing else here.

Why not grab Netflix now like i have? I have access to both US and UK Netflix library and it costs me $13/month. We watch it via the Wii U in the lounge room, PS3 in the bedroom, and the kids watch it on their tablets wherever they want in the house. I've found myself downloading less since having Netflix.

[Gutsman Heavy]

Why not grab Netflix now like i have? I have access to both US and UK Netflix library and it costs me $13/month. We watch it via the Wii U in the lounge room, PS3 in the bedroom, and the kids watch it on their tablets wherever they want in the house. I've found myself downloading less since having Netflix.

Legit or region swapping shenanigans for the Wii U?

[shokwave2]

Create a separate profile, input country of residence as United Kingdom, download Netflix from UK eShop, sign up for Netflix (about $5/month) and Unblock-us.com ($8/month) and follow set-up instructions on Unblock-us.com http://support.unblock-us.com/custom...rticles/879957. Just watch through regular profile. It's all legit, no dodgy downloading or software.

[Omega Metro]

Why not grab Netflix now like i have? I have access to both US and UK Netflix library and it costs me $13/month. We watch it via the Wii U in the lounge room, PS3 in the bedroom, and the kids watch it on their tablets wherever they want in the house. I've found myself downloading less since having Netflix.

I seriously don't have the time to sit down and watch ANY TV show. Plus most are garbage anyway. (Games Of Thrones is overrated tripe....it's soooo boring!)
I'm happy to buy the blockbuster Blu-Ray movies and leave it at that.
And.... I would not know how to download a movie even if I tried.