Originally Posted by mynameisjim

I sort of agree that that the movie industry needs to move to a more internet friendly model but they actually are. The thing people don't realize is there are extremely complicated contracts in place and an entire industry built around those contracts. Points on distribution, back end profits, overseas revenue, etc. You can't just one day say, "OK, all downloads of movies $5" because you will get sued by everyone involved in making that movie and everyone who has purchased rights to air it.

Say NBC Television bought the rights to air Batman Begins and next month Youtube announces they will allow people to watch it for free starting now. You can't do that. NBC would sue saying the price they paid was based on having exclusive airing rights.

Of course greed plays a part, but there are serious mechanical issues as well to switching over. And the movie and television industry is moving forward. DVDs come with one digital copy, most TV shows are shown on the internet within 24 hours for free either on the network site or on Hulu. Movies are added to Hulu all the time.

You can't just flick a switch for an entire industry. Supporters of TPB seem to think movie and TV studios never want to change, which is not true. It just takes time.