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Branagh and Leigh lead campaign to end illegal film downloads
Jack Lefley16 Dec 2008
MORE than 100 award-winning producers, directors and writers today called for action to tackle illegal downloads of films and TV shows which they say are threatening jobs.
Oscar-nominated directors Sir Alan Parker, Mike Leigh and Kenneth Branagh are among those to call on the Government to address the problem of peer-to-peer file-sharing and the widespread availability of illegal, free content on the internet.
The group includes Four Weddings And A Funeral screenwriter Richard Curtis, Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry and The Fast Show writer Charlie Higson.
They want internet service providers to assist rights owners in stamping out file-sharing over their networks. The campaign is backed by film and acting organisations including Bafta and Equity. Callum MacDougall, the producer of James Bond film Quantum of Solace, said of the call for action: "We make it in the interests of those involved in the creative process whose losses from online theft are proportionately much greater - technicians, staff on set, those who work in cinemas and bring the enjoyment of film to millions."
Stephen Garrett, producer of the hit drama Spooks and managing director of Kudos Productions, said: "We need the Government to put a legal duty on ISPs to ensure that this threat is addressed."
Reader views (5)
I agree with Jock, Andreak and Shaun.
Yes it IS wrong to take something without permission - but there does seem to be a serious lack of quality media provision online - you have a seriously untapped market who would RATHER pay - but who, out of convenience - download illegally. It's true!
BBC I hope you are listening to Andreak - you have a customer....
- Ingrid, London, 17/12/2008 21:26
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Shaun, you're totally missing the point, as do many who try to justify piracy. Piracy is blatant theft. Doesn't matter if it's a 13 year old schoolkid, a doctor, a pensioner, etc. Would you walk into a shop and steal something?
Branagh, Leigh, and Parker are quite right in what they are doing. They're not just protecting their jobs, they're on about protecting directors, producers, technicians, runners, teaboys, makeup and costume staff, actors (like me) and everyone else involved in bringing a film or programme to fruition. Why should people get their labours for free? The revenue earned will go back into future productions to pay the people who work on them.
Everyone seems to assume that all actors make megabucks, and won't miss a few thousand in lost revenue. Believe me, it's not the case.
- Jock, London, 16/12/2008 21:12
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The only way I can watch show like Spook is by some of those down loads. Here in the state we have BBC America and they tend to show the lowest denominator
in British TV. BBC should be selling their shows to HBO or Showtime I would be more then willing to pay.
- Andreak, WI USA, 16/12/2008 17:15
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When are these people going to wake up and say hello to the 21st Century? There are two sorts of downloaders.
The spotty teenager who has little money, so he's actually not "depriving" the film and TV industry of anything at all - he can't pay even if he wanted to. What he does is arguably immoral (getting something for nothing) but does not have a tangible financial impact. So get over it.
The second sort of downloader? Me. Me and millions of others who would be only too happy to pay a reasonable fee for media (film, TV and so on) that is not encumbered with idiotic DRM if only they would make it available. Say tonight I want to watch Madagascar 2 - Can I download it and watch it? Look media folks, I'm waving my wallet at you. See it? Take my money and let me have it. No? OK, I'll download it anyway then, although I'd rather pay for it. Why? It's fairer and, probably, would offer a better service to me. But you won't let me. But you will bitch and moan if I download an "illegal" copy.
I say to these folks put up or shut up. Join the modern world and you'll reap the financial rewards. Instead you keep on trying to hold back the tide.
Grasp the fact that so many downloaders do it NOT to get "free" films, but because of the CONVENIENCE it offers.
- Shaun, SE France, 16/12/2008 13:56
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How will these 'celebs' ever afford their third house and fourth Ferrari if this plague doesn't stop.
Remember a celeb is just for a fashionable period of time, not for life. Save a 'celeb' this Xmas.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 16/12/2008 13:51
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