Comment Guerilla Marketing Conspiracy 101: Codecs/Distro (Score 1) 782
Just as in geopolitics, posturing in the virtual market'space is very complex, with perhaps, these days, a higher degree of sophistication and sleight-of-hand being demonstrated by prospective stakeholders. Notwithstanding the popular conspiracists view that the MPAA/Studios may be "leaking" sub-grade movies for many of the articulated reasons above, another non-mentioned prospective stakeholder in this marketing game (perhaps after-the-fact) are the enterprises that (a) want to showcase their video codecs/encoders and video compression technologies; and (b) want recognition and validation of their distribution infrastructure/technologies. Unlike larger and well-established institutions/companies such as MPAA/Studios, these smaller and more flexible companies may adopt a business model that "implicitly encourages" movie piracy. (I have been researching these legal/quasi-legal business models on risk/benefit and you can get away with a lot more bang for each buck)
For example, if I were a new video codec company harping mpeg4 compression technologies for popular consumption, an important realization is that a "critical mass" or a high volume of users using my codec legitimizes me and also attracts more venture capital. (I know that originally the movie was DV-> converted to mpeg when it hit first-tier distribution on topsites, but immediately in the space of an hour, this movie is compressed by the mpeg4 technology into a much smaller size for quicker and easier distribution via north america's limited broadband.). The more persons downloading movies in my video format and using my encoding software, the better it is. (Hmm.. this sounds a lot like the current company trying to trademark the "DivX" name? Probably a coincidence)
Anyways .. I don't have time to sit here and add layer upon layer of conspiracy models, but you should always think which industries or market segmentations would benefit from pirated movie proliferation. Heck, perhaps it's the French Government using a weird-ass attempt at stifling American cultural hegemony (I.e., Cultural Sovereignty is really about Int'l trade). :p
-SnakeSudz-
(Hail Droopus, my Hero)
For example, if I were a new video codec company harping mpeg4 compression technologies for popular consumption, an important realization is that a "critical mass" or a high volume of users using my codec legitimizes me and also attracts more venture capital. (I know that originally the movie was DV-> converted to mpeg when it hit first-tier distribution on topsites, but immediately in the space of an hour, this movie is compressed by the mpeg4 technology into a much smaller size for quicker and easier distribution via north america's limited broadband.). The more persons downloading movies in my video format and using my encoding software, the better it is. (Hmm.. this sounds a lot like the current company trying to trademark the "DivX" name? Probably a coincidence)
Anyways
-SnakeSudz-
(Hail Droopus, my Hero)
