Downloading Movies
Once upon time, deciding to rent a movie meant that you were too lazy to go out. Now, you can exert even less effort by avoiding the trip to the video store, too. When you feel like watching a film, simply walk over to your computer and buy or rent it. But make sure you understand what constitutes illegal downloading: violating Digital Rights Management laws can cost you more than late fees.
Expand All Guide SectionsIllegal Movie Downloading
Illegal downloading of movies has yet to be in the spotlight in the same way that music downloading has been, but it’s still a major element of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) saga (and the subject of a few stern commercials at your local movie theater). Understand the issues at hand so you can evaluate the legality of your own behavior.
Dulcinea's Insight
- While copyrighting laws may seem irritating to you, they are a legitimate threat to the entertainment industry. Last year, Geneon Entertainment ceased distribution of Japanese anime videos, saying that illegal downloading contributed to loss of business.
- More information about DRM can be found in the findingDulcinea Free Use Media Web Guide. The findingDulcinea Downloading Music Web Guide also explores the legal issues involved in downloading content.
Dulcinea's Picks
To learn about Internet piracy …
The Motion Picture Association of America
has a tutorial on “Internet Piracy” that explains the various methods of illegal downloading and its negative effect on the film industry.
To understand digital rights management …
The American Library Association (ALA)
provides an overview of digital rights management issues and names the key players.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
explains how entertainment companies are using digital rights management to control your media and behavior. The page also explains the way the government is getting involved and impending legislation.
The U.S Copyright Office
makes copyright laws available in text or PDF format. It’s a valuable reference tool for those who feel equipped to wade through all the legal language.
Legal Movie Downloading Sites
Now that you know all about DRM, you know that you only want to use legal sites to download movies. Choose from among the picks below.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Mac users generally must use the iTunes program to download movies. PC users have other options.
- For information about downloading music, consult the findingDulcinea Downloading Music Web Guide.
- findingDulcinea’s Beyond the Headlines story, “Movie Downloads Take On DVDs,” indicates just how big the downloading business is.
- The Internet is filled with sites like Filmon.com. For a small fee, you can download “tons” of movies, but they may not be ones you want to watch.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of legal downloading sites …
TechCrunch
is a blog with a 2006 entry comparing Apple’s iTunes with other movie downloading services. Get comprehensive ratings of various legal sites. Not all the information is up to date; for example, iTunes now offers rentals.
For Mac users …
iTunes
allows you to rent or buy movies that you can watch on your computer, iPod, iPhone or television set (via Apple TV). Movies for purchase are on average $9.99 but sometimes cost less, while rentals are $2.99 or $3.99. You can start watching a rental within 30 days after purchase. Once you start watching it, you’ll have 24 hours to finish it. Preview your choices by watching as many free trailers as you’d like. iTunes is also available to PC users.
For PC users …
CinemaNow
offers movies to rent or buy as well as a select collection that you can burn to a DVD. Certain movies can also be purchased for up to three portable players. Movie purchases start at $8.99 (for the burn-to-DVD option) and rentals start at $2.99.
Movielink
is similar to CinemaNow but movie prices start a lot lower, at $1.99. Note that better titles may bring a higher price, but you do have the option to browse around for cheap titles. Rentals are also available and start at $0.99.
For independent films …
MovieFlix
is a cheap source for independent and low-budget films. Mac and PC users interested in branching out from the blockbusters should explore here. Note that some of the films contain adult content.
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