Is it legal

[bry789123]

Are Top Gear download's on bittorent legal?

[Peter3hg]

Depends on which country you are in but generally no.

[bartboy9891]

does it matter?

[The One Upper]

Why would downloading any TV episodes be illegal? They are free after all, all you need is an antenna and TV. Basic cable too, because even though you pay for it they still have commercials so it evens out ethically in my mind. And it's not like anything on American TV is worthwhile besides Jeopardy and 30 Days. Also the bit torrent community is so small it makes no difference to the five greedy devil worshipers that control our media. I tend to rationalize things that way. For example music: screw metallica they are rich, and most new one hit wonders are junk and last about a month so I feel no guilt downloading mp3's. But if I someone gives me a burned cd of a really good album if I like it I will go out and buy it because I feel that they deserve my money for their effort. Jeremy is rich and so are the rest of them. And even if they weren't they are doing a job they love, and Confucius says find a job you love and you never have to work again in your life. Let's face it any number of us would gladly do that job for free. So why should they care if a handful of fans are so fanatical that we even have forums where we discuss every aspect of the show down to the most minute of details. We can't ALL live in the UK and enjoy great quality television programs, some of us have to live in the USA and cry when we read a TV Guide thinking back to the days spent in Europe and all the fantastic television programs that they have in contrast to our jerry springer and laguna beach. Figuratively I mean, I cry on the inside

[zaybxcwd12]

Upper on the whole I agree with almost everything you said, I feel no guilt in downloading a MP3 or a album or anything for that matter. Guilt however does not alter the legality issue. I do think you are a little harsh on American TV though there is a lot of American junk TV but there is a also a lot of airtime and channels to fill, when you filter though the junk there is plenty of quality American TV shows out there.

As for TG then yes downloading a bittorrant is illegal much the same as a music track is. Even more so when it is a BBC product because it is publicly funded. As a license payer do I care if a torrant is downloaded, damn you upper you are robbing me I am paying for your entertainment, of course I don't care less but the powers at be do. Your comment about commercials? not sure if you are aware as to just how the BBC is funded. Take downloading a series a complete series (or season depending on where you are) is on the market to buy like any Hollywood movie so it is fair to say that a TV episode has the same rules as the latest blockbuster.

[the Interceptor]

Originally Posted by The One Upper

Why would downloading any TV episodes be illegal? They are free after all, all you need is an antenna and TV. Basic cable too, because even though you pay for it they still have commercials so it evens out ethically in my mind. And it's not like anything on American TV is worthwhile besides Jeopardy and 30 Days. Also the bit torrent community is so small it makes no difference to the five greedy devil worshipers that control our media. I tend to rationalize things that way.

You tend to rationalize things that way, but that does not mean it is legal to download TV episodes. The making of Top Gear for example is financed by the British through the license fees (or whatever you guys call it) they pay. Therefor, they have the right to freely watch it. All the outside world however does not fund the BBC and therefor has no right to download the episodes. The only reason we can is that noone really cares, and somebody probably realised that it's better to feed fans all around the world and make it popular than insisting on some law.

Originally Posted by The One Upper

Jeremy is rich and so are the rest of them. And even if they weren't they are doing a job they love, and Confucius says find a job you love and you never have to work again in your life. Let's face it any number of us would gladly do that job for free. So why should they care if a handful of fans are so fanatical that we even have forums where we discuss every aspect of the show down to the most minute of details.

Making Top Gear does not only need the three guys, and it's not only their money. It is not on us to decide how to spend the money that's not ours. Even if those three would agree to what we're doing, it doesn't mean it's okay, because there's a lot of other people involved who don't.

Don't get me wrong, I'm the last one to be happy about this, and I also question this system in general. Whichever way you turn it for yourself personally, downloading TV series like Top Gear is not legal for non-UK-residents.

Regards
the Interceptor

[cdbob]

Originally Posted by The One Upper

Why would downloading any TV episodes be illegal? They are free after all, all you need is an antenna and TV. Basic cable too, because even though you pay for it they still have commercials so it evens out ethically in my mind. And it's not like anything on American TV is worthwhile besides Jeopardy and 30 Days. Also the bit torrent community is so small it makes no difference to the five greedy devil worshipers that control our media. I tend to rationalize things that way. For example music: screw metallica they are rich, and most new one hit wonders are junk and last about a month so I feel no guilt downloading mp3's. But if I someone gives me a burned cd of a really good album if I like it I will go out and buy it because I feel that they deserve my money for their effort. Jeremy is rich and so are the rest of them. And even if they weren't they are doing a job they love, and Confucius says find a job you love and you never have to work again in your life. Let's face it any number of us would gladly do that job for free. So why should they care if a handful of fans are so fanatical that we even have forums where we discuss every aspect of the show down to the most minute of details. We can't ALL live in the UK and enjoy great quality television programs, some of us have to live in the USA and cry when we read a TV Guide thinking back to the days spent in Europe and all the fantastic television programs that they have in contrast to our jerry springer and laguna beach. Figuratively I mean, I cry on the inside

I disagree being musician, I support all musicians, most people don't understand how hard it is to get a song popular even for a month. The people who do this and the big bands both had to work their butts off to get that oppertunity and now are enjoying the product of their labour. And Top Gear is not just run by Three people there are far more involved in making it that don't make a lot of money. TV for me is okay if there are already full clips of the show that are on the web that were permitted by the people involved in the show. But Music, Not at all.

[The One Upper]

Naturally I cannot write a book about downloading torrents and the legality and repercussions of it all. But I thought I made a point of just what a small impact a few thousand [a handful really] petrol heads with computers make in the grand scheme of things. Interceptor you made a fine point and I must congratulate whoever makes these decisions at the BBC. True not everyone on the show is rich but even the guy who picks up Jeremy’s cigarette butts is working at his dream job, hence the Confucius quote [yes I know he quit, I just had to pick a demeaning job to make a point]. But the decision on the whole to disregard silly laws and let the fans enjoy the show is one only a civilized society can make. And look at the end result; when I select the ‘peers’ tab on utorrent I can play a game and test my knowledge of flags. Just this forum thread for example; a Brit, German, and Canadian posted their views after mine and the thread has only seven posts!
Sometimes listening to radio or watching TV here in the United States of Americaland certain brand names cannot be mentioned and on TV must be blurred out. How absolutely idiotic, and silly, I don’t care about anything else, the laws about that kind of thing are silly. So what would you rather have? Would you rather we live in a world where we have to pay royalties for mentioning a brand name in casual conversation, or one where stupid laws are checked by common sense and people across the world enjoy fine programs regardless of who made them and paid for them, programs that bring such a wide variety of people together on the net.
Somewhat off the topic, this Internet is a new tool and I have noticed somewhat of a psychological phenomenon, a new aspect of human nature if you will. Take a look at myspace and you will see people bear their soul to you and write the most intimate things about themselves right on the front page, things they would never tell you in person. But their page is something that can be viewed by millions of persons. Also just as interesting is the commentary on various things. If there is something to complain about you can bet your right arm that there will be hundreds of negative, criticizing and complaining comments. But few if any people take the time to compliment something good and worthwhile. It’s all about perception and how others see you, some might think you are too soft I guess, but sob stories in blogs are ok. People are strange. So regardless of the legality of this issue I would like to thank any and all people that make it possible for me to download this fine program off the net. Sometimes a new episode may be late and the moderators promptly issue an apologetic post on the front-page. As I click on the link I say out loud that there is no need to apologize and my brother wonders who the heck I’m talking to. Thank you Viper and Vuk, the Scene and all others involved. No apology necessary anytime, without your efforts we would have to make due with what the Top Gear website has to offer, like some people and Scarface I would know every line of the nun driving a monster truck segment by now. And what a fine example of a human being, I’d also like to thank Sister Wendy for all her hard work.

[cdbob]

Originally Posted by The One Upper

Naturally I cannot write a book about downloading torrents and the legality and repercussions of it all. But I thought I made a point of just what a small impact a few thousand [a handful really] petrol heads with computers make in the grand scheme of things. Interceptor you made a fine point and I must congratulate whoever makes these decisions at the BBC. True not everyone on the show is rich but even the guy who picks up Jeremy’s cigarette butts is working at his dream job, hence the Confucius quote [yes I know he quit, I just had to pick a demeaning job to make a point]. But the decision on the whole to disregard silly laws and let the fans enjoy the show is one only a civilized society can make. And look at the end result; when I select the ‘peers’ tab on utorrent I can play a game and test my knowledge of flags. Just this forum thread for example; a Brit, German, and Canadian posted their views after mine and the thread has only seven posts!
Sometimes listening to radio or watching TV here in the United States of Americaland certain brand names cannot be mentioned and on TV must be blurred out. How absolutely idiotic, and silly, I don’t care about anything else, the laws about that kind of thing are silly. So what would you rather have? Would you rather we live in a world where we have to pay royalties for mentioning a brand name in casual conversation, or one where stupid laws are checked by common sense and people across the world enjoy fine programs regardless of who made them and paid for them, programs that bring such a wide variety of people together on the net.
Somewhat off the topic, this Internet is a new tool and I have noticed somewhat of a psychological phenomenon, a new aspect of human nature if you will. Take a look at myspace and you will see people bear their soul to you and write the most intimate things about themselves right on the front page, things they would never tell you in person. But their page is something that can be viewed by millions of persons. Also just as interesting is the commentary on various things. If there is something to complain about you can bet your right arm that there will be hundreds of negative, criticizing and complaining comments. But few if any people take the time to compliment something good and worthwhile. It’s all about perception and how others see you, some might think you are too soft I guess, but sob stories in blogs are ok. People are strange. So regardless of the legality of this issue I would like to thank any and all people that make it possible for me to download this fine program off the net. Sometimes a new episode may be late and the moderators promptly issue an apologetic post on the front-page. As I click on the link I say out loud that there is no need to apologize and my brother wonders who the heck I’m talking to. Thank you Viper and Vuk, the Scene and all others involved. No apology necessary anytime, without your efforts we would have to make due with what the Top Gear website has to offer, like some people and Scarface I would know every line of the nun driving a monster truck segment by now. And what a fine example of a human being, I’d also like to thank Sister Wendy for all her hard work.

Very well said indeed I do agree that it is bad that the rich keep tightening their grip on an industry that is entirely made possible by the artists, actors, people and such they exploit. I agree that a few people doing good in the world are not noticed compared to all the bad people. Well said yes everyone needs to be more positive and trusting. |

[countvlad]

You will all notice that you have to pay for the fifth gear road tests so i suppose to download those from anywhere is illegal.
I think that bands make enough money from live concerts to live decently and illegal downloads helps the attendance at these concerts anyway.
Here in britain you pay for a TV licence and to have a colour TV working without one is a criminal offence.

[mgkdk]

^ Living up to your title, eh

[Quiky]

Goddamn, there is an active topic already; http://forums.finalgear.com/the-site-itself/legality-of-downloading-17213/

Countvlad- Bump another topic, and you will get a temporary ban.