Legal Movies, Alternatives to Illegal Downloading

[Bobbie Harmon]

Free is an enticing but often illegal endeavor. All art is produced at
a cost, whether it is hours of toil and paint or hours of union labor
on a blockbuster film. On your end of it, how much is your joy,
laughter, thrill, excitement and anticipation worth?
Instead of putting yourself and your computer at risk by downloading
questionable files, consider the value of your entertainment. Before
you are tempted to swap files with a stranger, consider these
alternatives:
Video Store
Video rental franchises such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Video are
stepping up to the plate and are trying to give customers what they
want'no late fees. Increasingly, because of low sell through prices,
people are choosing to purchase movies over renting. In order to
compete, many rental stores are offering inexpensive memberships and
extended rental periods or no late fees.
Legal Online Downloads
This industry is expanding daily. Movie studios recognize the demand
for electronic sell through purchases, rental downloads and streaming
video. Many online movie download services offer membership prices
similar to video store memberships or rentals and unlimited downloads.
However, at this time, in order to get the newest releases you still
have to go with a DVD option. Usually, movies are not provided for
download until they have been on the DVD market for a while.
Online DVD Rentals
This is also a growing business. Through a DVD rental service, you can
order movies online and receive them in the mail for a very low
monthly price. Most of these services do not charge late fees and
offer an extensive collection.
Purchase
Why not buy your favorite films? Sell through prices are low right
now, even the newest releases can often be found for under $20. Rental
stores often sell used copies for under $10. Additionally, if you
purchase a DVD you can make a personal backup copy for your own use,
its legal. A backup copy is a good idea for your portable DVD players
or for your kid's movies.
Theatre
Get out of the house; some movies are best viewed on the silver
screen. Movies with advanced special effects and high tech visuals are
meant for the big screen and digital surround sound.
Go to film festivals or special releases. Often you can purchase
package deals for festivals and they may include additional
activities, such as dinners or parties, live interviews with the
directors or cast, advanced previews, contests or other incentives.
Artists Supported Free Downloads
Often independent film directors or emerging bands actually allow free
downloads. Artists new to the market may offer free samples or
complete copies of their work in an attempt to find a supportive
audience for their future endeavors. Film shorts, indie films and
Sundance films are often available through online download services.
Try Before You Buy
In court, using the excuse that you just wanted to try a movie or
album before you buy it, will not fly.
The only way to legally try before you buy is to rent it or go see it
in the theater. Often rental stores and online movie download
companies offer low priced memberships so you can rent a movie at a
minimal cost before you decide to purchase it. In terms of music, many
major media stores such as Virgin Records have listening stations that
will let you listen to a CD before you buy it.
So, before you are tempted to swap files with a less than perfect
stranger, get a legal copy through an autorized distributer, then sit
back and enjoy - virus and copywrite infringement free.