So last time I went to the comic book shop and came back with a load of new books, and much less money, a friend of mine, a comic fan himself, asked why the heck I put so much money into this when there are plenty of ways to get comics online without paying for it. Not that he doesn't buy any books at all, but the majority of his books are downloaded. Now of course do I know that downloading that stuff is illegal and it's against copy right, but much like streaming videos a lot of people do it and I just wanted to know what you guys think of downloading scans and pirated digital copies. Is it ok if you still buy books or is it an absolute no-go, or do you even think that it is actually ok in general even if you don't buy stuff at all?
It depends on what kind of fan or collector are you. I mean, there are fans who enjoy reading comics for the sake of story only and there are also fans that enjoy owning the actual book itself.
Some people have told me that one of it's advantages is that you can read the comic before buying it to decide whether it's worth it or not, but I it doesn't feel right either.
So last time I went to the comic book shop and came back with a load of new books, and much less money, a friend of mine, a comic fan himself, asked why the heck I put so much money into this when there are plenty of ways to get comics online without paying for it. Not that he doesn't buy any books at all, but the majority of his books are downloaded. Now of course do I know that downloading that stuff is illegal and it's against copy right, but much like streaming videos a lot of people do it and I just wanted to know what you guys think of downloading scans and pirated digital copies. Is it ok if you still buy books or is it an absolute no-go, or do you even think that it is actually ok in general even if you don't buy stuff at all?
I don't know if streaming videos is illegal on your part. That's why I believe many people watch those as opposed to downloading what ever their streaming via download engine (rapidshare,mediafire,hotfile etc.) or torrenting. There is copyrighted material even on youtube between movies and shows and music but it's not actually criminal on your part to listen or watch, the only person that will have an issue is whoever is uploading. As far as downloading comics, it's not only illegal but it's not easy to do anymore. There used to be alot more options available but the FBI and companies that are losing money are cracking down on all types of downloads,and download engines,and p2p networks etc. I wouldn't let anyone tell you that downloads are away to go and to be honest I think within the next couple of years, you may not be able to get them at all, but comics will still be going strong. I'd say stick to paying for them.
Ok, to those bringing in the "illegal"-comments, maybe I haven't said this clear enough, I'm not aiming on the legal/illegal-side of the topic but more on the ethical-side. Is it for you and your consience ok to download comics, or what circumstances do make it ok for you, like overpriced stuff or "just watching into it".
Me for my part I love collecting the books and so I wouldn't download comics on a regular base, but I gotta admit that it is kind of tempting when I'm thinking of looking into a new series that I am not sure of buying at the time, kind of "if it's good I'm buying it, if not I haven't lost any money".
Some people download copies of what they already own so: 1) they don't have to touch/open the paper issues, therefore not ruining them 2) they can read them everywhere (laptop for instance) 3) it's easier to take scans or to search for something specific
in those cases, when you already own the book, getting a pirated copy is OK on my view, since you already paid for the book, and you're only getting the dgiital copy so you can have advantages
I buy all the titles I follow, all the new stuff. But old back issues and things I'm not sure about I *cough*DEFINITELY DON'T*cough* download. Comics are EXPENSIVE nowadays, insanely so. I can get a two hour long movie for two bucks at a pawn shop, or a 23-page comic that I'll read in 15 minutes for three? That just seems absurd. Comic companies already get massive revenue via ads as well, and even when I BUY older trades I buy them used, which doesn't give the company any noney anyway. Once I realized that it seemed silly to pay some random guy for older issues that aren't in circulation anyway... even though I STILL TOTALLY DON'T *coughcough*.
If you can't afford it, do without. Switch to a cheaper phone plan. Use less electricity. Cancel Netflix. Get a better job. Don't buy thirty dollars worth of snacks and soda a month. In retail, theft means higher prices. You're basically ripping off actual consumers who save their hard earned money to afford a simple luxury.
People only have so much money. AFOM spends semi-regular money on collecting comics and trades and buys a few monthlies when something really good is coming out, but has been known to dl some things. Should everyone be charged to hear Beethoven's Fur Elise or to see the Sistine chapel? I know it's not quite the same but it is all art. I have the benefit of being comfortable financially, I'm only a college student. Some people are quite poor though. Others have families and children to cloth and feed and buy braces for and put through school. They can't afford to drop cash on comics. Is it fair that these people should never get to enjoy the plethora of great stories in the comic medium just because they can't afford them? I don't know. It is indeed a sticky subject.
My best advice is you should support the industry, the whole industry, if you can. If you have a local comic book shop, maybe buy more than your comics there. Alot of shops sell games, movies, clothes, and collectibles among other things. Go to the theater to see comic book movies. Turn on the tv occasionally when a comic book show is on. Right now Marvel and DC are both owned by giant multimedia corporations. They aren't exactly hurting for money and comics aren't in danger of going anywhere.
Spend what you can but you don't have to go over board. If at the end of the day you dl some books or trades that you weren't able to pick up, well, it's not the worst thing in the world.
Oh, and people who say it's never acceptable oughta get off there high horses.
As long as you don't download the newer comics illegally, then I suppose it's fine. Downloading newer comics would be cheating the industry and that's not fair.
I watched pirated movies online all the time, so I won't judge anyone reading comics this way, however, I don't because I like to have the physical book in my hand.
People only have so much money. AFOM spends semi-regular money on collecting comics and trades and buys a few monthlies when something really good is coming out, but has been known to dl some things. Should everyone be charged to hear Beethoven's Fur Elise or to see the Sistine chapel? I know it's not quite the same but it is all art. I have the benefit of being comfortable financially, I'm only a college student. Some people are quite poor though. Others have families and children to cloth and feed and buy braces for and put through school. They can't afford to drop cash on comics. Is it fair that these people should never get to enjoy the plethora of great stories in the comic medium just because they can't afford them? I don't know. It is indeed a sticky subject.
My best advice is you should support the industry, the whole industry, if you can. If you have a local comic book shop, maybe buy more than your comics there. Alot of shops sell games, movies, clothes, and collectibles among other things. Go to the theater to see comic book movies. Turn on the tv occasionally when a comic book show is on. Right now Marvel and DC are both owned by giant multimedia corporations. They aren't exactly hurting for money and comics aren't in danger of going anywhere.
Spend what you can but you don't have to go over board. If at the end of the day you dl some books or trades that you weren't able to pick up, well, it's not the worst thing in the world.
Oh, and people who say it's never acceptable oughta get off there high horses.
This is a tricky situation were I live, in sweden Marvel or DC comics is not being sold in stores except a few really specialized ones in the capital to my knowledge, so the only way I got of obtaining a physical copy (wich I think every real collector should have) is to get really expensive imports, the few swedish online stores ive seen dont really have a way to subscribe to new comics but rather a collection of older ones that costs normally up to 10$ or more.
I have a friend who loves Torrents. I feel nervous that he's going to get into trouble so offered him my Comixology login info so he can read my legal downloads, but he refused! He doesn't see the difference between reading my comics and reading torrented comics.
I have no problem with piracy. It's not stealing. It's a new way of doing things The world's changing , mega corporations can either keep up or get left in the dust.
It's not my fault for using the Newest piece of technology to receive media. Isn't that's how the world's always worked? Print replaced by the Telegraph , The Telegraph replaced by Radio , Radio replaced by Television. Brick and Mortar stores replaced by Piratebay and Isohunt.
When I first became a member on this site someone told me a good place to pirate comics. I never downloaded any, more out of laziness than ethics. Now I'm glad I didn't. Believe me I go broke buying comics but feel its important to support books I like, especially creator owned stuff.
@htb106: so i can assume you never ever saw a pirated movie, nor listened to downloaded music or used a picture somewhere, i don't know on facebook or somewhere else, that was under copyright?
However , I only do so when I am missing an issue ( for example Green Lantern #4 ) because my shop (which I support) does not have it in stock. Typically I wait one week for this issue (this problem typically happens only when I am catching up with back issues) and in the mean time wish to read further.
I then pirate the missing title and when it does become available @ my shop - good or bad - I purchase it.
This is the only instance I get comics through pirating.
The only time I download a comic is if i'm 100% sure i'm going to buy it anyway and simply want to read it the day it comes out rather than sit and wait for it to arrive in the post. As i'm on subscription i've already paid for the thing anyway.
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