In the context of downloading movies not buying is the same as "stealing".
We agree that authors of digital content deserve to get paid, right? Then it doesn't really matter what you call people who manage to avoid paying. This debate over semantics does not help advance the discussion.
This isn't about getting paid. This is purely a comparison.
If I'm stealing a movie that by definition means I'm not buying that movie.
I'm guessing the point they were trying to get at was, you should be able to download and share subtitle files -- which are only useful to people who already have the movie -- without fear of prosecution.
Here's the relevant bit from the "manifesto": "I have access to the audio in every language that has been produced." Even the subtitle issue is complicated. Are these fan-made subtitles? Otherwise, again, you're entering a minefield and the chances of something like that ever happening within a unified interface — as requested — are slim. Something like that would require a fundamental change to how films and especia…
Actually, there are pretty good methods of this for piracy. If you search for the torrent title (IE: "Battleship Potemkin aXXo", etc) and "subtitle", you can generally find a subtitle for your version in my experience. Have a listing for movie, then version of movie (German edition, Director's Cut, terrible American theatrical release that cuts out the bit where last part was all a dream, etc). If piracy and fans can solve an issue like that, surely the studios can too.
No it wouldn't, because the people companies make money from aren't willing to stop watching movies . It would be like saying "I won't walk outside until the city cleans the streets!" It's a promise a majority of people simply won't, or can't, keep.
Sorry, but it just sounds like entitled whining. No one has an inherent right to watch any movie, no matter how much they love them, and it's not a necessity.
He's not claiming they have the right: he's claiming they feel the need. That feeling of need has been created and fostered by the filmstudio's, who spend tons on advertising to make people feel they need to see movies. Just watch your average trailer: it is hardly about the movie and much more about why you need to see it anyway. Some consider that quite an achievement in market experience; others consider it exploitation of the human psychology bordering on criminal behavior.