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More about Moore on downloading the movie

With the site problems today I haven’t had a chance to comment on the CNN story regarding the downloading of F911 and how I played a role.

First of all, I can’t believe CNN did not contact us for a comment.  That’s irresponsible reporting. (see update) And they claim we never cited a source...well, there’s always the damned video clip, eh?

Secondly, we did not host the movie.  Nor did we even host the torrent.  I *linked* the torrent , which was hosted on a public BitTorrent tracker.  If that’s illegal, then we’ve truly fallen as a society.  All I did was post a link.

Where it gets interesting is the fact that Moore himself has been very, very clear on his feelings.  The following is a transcript of the clip from that European press conference where Moore explicitly states he wants people to download the film.  I did not transcribe the “um’s and uh’s” in his speech, since we all do that and they have zero effect on the meaning or context.  Feel free to grab a copy yourself and make sure I was accurate.

Well, I don’t agree with the copyright laws and I don’t have a problem with people downloading the movie and sharing it with people.  As long they’re not doing it to make a profit off it, as long as they’re not, you know, trying to make a profit off my labor.  I would oppose that.  But um, you know I do quite well and I um...I don’t know, I make these books and movies and TV shows because I want things to change, so the more people that get to see them the better, and um, so I’m, I’m happy when that happens, OK?  Should I not be happy I don’t know?  It’s like if a friend of yours has the DVD of my movie, gave it to you to watch one night, is that person doing something wrong?  I’m not seeing any money from that.  But he’s just handing the DVD to you so that you can watch my movie.  A DVD that he bought, but you’re not buying it, yet you’re watching it without paying me any money.  See I think that’s OK, and it’s always been OK, we share things with people.  And I think information and art, ideas should be shared.

The CNN piece has an interesting idle threat in it:

Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films Releasing, which is distributing the film with IFC Films and Harvey and Bob Weinstein’s Fellowship Adventure Group, said Wednesday that his company is exploring legal action.

“I think it’s deplorable what enemies of ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ are doing,” he said. “We are currently looking into our legal options. We are not going to tolerate anybody trying to infringe on (this film’s release).”

Bring it on, Ortenberg.  I’ll fight you every step of the way, and I’ll go on every show in the country with that clip of your boy in tow, and make an ass out of you both.  Sue me.  I double-dog dare you.  You’ll lose, and my counter-suit will allow you to pay my mortgage off and maybe leave me something left over to restore my truck and buy a Powerbook.

You wouldn’t even get it out of deposition.  Wanna see a prediction?

Ortenberg’s lawyer - You made this copyrighted work available to the public, and as such you are responsible for a portion of lost profits from said work.

Me: Excuse me a moment.  Listen to this.  (plays clip of Moore, hands lawyer a transcript)

Ortenberg’s lawyer - One moment (confers with Ortenberg) Umm...we’ll get back to you.

Behind closed doors, your attorney explains to you haw Moore completely gave up his rights to pursue legal action, and as your agent in the public arena, he gave up YOUR rights as well.  Then he smacks you for suing some doofus in his living room for posting a link and not telling him that Moore approves of the behavior.

And I never hear from you again, Orty.

Now watch this drive, bitch.

*Update*

The story was a wire service story, hence all the reports sounding the same.  No fault of CNN, I suppose...although I still think they should have contacted us for a comment.

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