NTL promoting copyright infringement

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by ntl customer

Yes, but have you ever heard of these sites that offer 'legal' MP3 files for a fee that you would find on things like Kazaa?

I certainly haven't and the sites that do offer music that isn't in MP3 (usually WM with DRM to stop it from being copied).

Yeah, but NTL don't encourage people to use File Sharing as such, they just point out you can download movies and music from the web (OK, they give the example of downloading Spider Man which isn't legally available), but there are sites you can legally download music and movies, so NTL are probably covered.

[downquark1]

There have been more developments in the .com version of this thread:
http://www.nthellworld.com/forum/sho...2&page=9&pp=30

[ntl customer]

Originally Posted by scastle

Yeah, but NTL don't encourage people to use File Sharing as such, they just point out you can download movies and music from the web (OK, they give the example of downloading Spider Man which isn't legally available), but there are sites you can legally download music and movies, so NTL are probably covered.

Although I've heard of sites where you can legally download music, I never heard of sites where you can legally download movies

[etccarmageddon]

Originally Posted by ntl customer

Although I've heard of sites where you can legally download music, I never heard of sites where you can legally download movies

http://www.thisisnotalovesong.com

and in the USA there is a site which allows you to download movies (at a cost) - I tried to use it but it rejected me cos my ip address wasnt within USA!

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by etccarmageddon

http://www.thisisnotalovesong.com

and in the USA there is a site which allows you to download movies (at a cost) - I tried to use it but it rejected me cos my ip address wasnt within USA!

Must be because they can't sue you if you share the movies.

OK people, we have a final resolution from the ASA over this issue. I have received the following email from them:

Dear ,

Since my letter of 2 October, we have received written assurances from ntl
that

(i) the statement "Spiderman was available on the net ..." should have
appeared as "the Spiderman trailer was available on the net ..."

and

(ii) if quoting the number of downloaded movies in future advertisements,
the figure quoted will be verified to confirm that it refers to legal
downloads.

Now that we have received this assurance from ntl we shall close this case
informally.

The advertisers' name, the industry sector and the medium in which the
advertisement appeared will be published on our website, www.asa.org.uk, on
29th October.

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to write to us and for bringing
this matter to our attention. The Advertising Standards Authority website
contains information about the ASA and the work we do, including recent
adjudications on complaints about advertisements.

Kind regards,

Your views?

[Shaun]

Pathetic, considering the number of other complaints to the ASA regarding Ntls dubious marketing practises!

[Nemesis]

To be honest we gave NTL the 'get out' statements on .com and .co.uk. At least the future ads will be correct, that's if they use it again

[downquark1]

(i) the statement "Spiderman was available on the net ..." should have
appeared as "the Spiderman trailer was available on the net ..."

and

(ii) if quoting the number of downloaded movies in future advertisements,
the figure quoted will be verified to confirm that it refers to legal
downloads.

At least they have reconised the problem, I was never sure what punished should be issued.
Are these 'revised' facts correct? Have there been that many legal downloads and was the spiderman trailer availiable on the internet before the cinema.

At the end of the day it seems like everyone made too much fuss of too little a thing.
The ASA has now made its descision, whether or not NTL were telling the truth is nothing to do with us at all.
I only hope that the people with too much time on their hands to go causing trouble when its clearly not as serious as they think it is learn from this matter.

Keep your nose out of other peoples business is a lesson I was taught when very young, I think that this lesson should be taught to some people on here.

[orangebird]

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

At the end of the day it seems like everyone made too much fuss of too little a thing.
The ASA has now made its descision, whether or not NTL were telling the truth is nothing to do with us at all.
I only hope that the people with too much time on their hands to go causing trouble when its clearly not as serious as they think it is learn from this matter.

Keep your nose out of other peoples business is a lesson I was taught when very young, I think that this lesson should be taught to some people on here.

Wise words. But some members seem to have some kind of witch hunt going, and will not be at all happy at the ASAs actions. :p

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

At the end of the day it seems like everyone made too much fuss of too little a thing.
The ASA has now made its descision, whether or not NTL were telling the truth is nothing to do with us at all.
I only hope that the people with too much time on their hands to go causing trouble when its clearly not as serious as they think it is learn from this matter.

Keep your nose out of other peoples business is a lesson I was taught when very young, I think that this lesson should be taught to some people on here.

Good grief, you ought to apply for a job with Tony Blair for spinning skills like that!

Fact: NTL made a claim in an advert which they ought not to have made (Spiderman was available online before it was in the cinema). They say this was a mistake and should have read 'Spiderman trailers'.
Fact: The same advert was repeated more than once. If this 'mistake' had therefore not been pointed out, they would have continued to make it.
Fact: NTL published statistics about movie downloads, and now accepts that the figure is misleading, having undertaken to verify the number of only legal downloads in future adverts.
Fact: The ASA, prior to agreeing to an informal settlement with NTL, accepted that there was a case to answer. Namely, that the advert as it stood could be seen to advocate illegal downloading of copyright material from the internet.
Fact: The ASA thanked me for drawing the matter to their attention. The ASA is an official body, with an official process which requires pubilc help in order to function.

Adverts are my business, they are your business, and they are the business of every mature adult citizen of the UK. We do not live in isolation. The way this country works and the good conduct of its people is a shared responsibility. There is no 'us and them'.

Originally Posted by towny

Good grief, you ought to apply for a job with Tony Blair for spinning skills like that!

Fact: NTL made a claim in an advert which they ought not to have made (Spiderman was available online before it was in the cinema). They say this was a mistake and should have read 'Spiderman trailers'.
Fact: The same advert was repeated more than once. If this 'mistake' had therefore not been pointed out, they would have continued to make it.
Fact: NTL published statistics about movie downloads, and now accepts that the figure is misleading, having undertaken to verify the number of only legal downloads in future adverts.
Fact: The ASA, prior to agreeing to an informal settlement with NTL, accepted that there was a case to answer. Namely, that the advert as it stood could be seen to advocate illegal downloading of copyright material from the internet.
Fact: The ASA thanked me for drawing the matter to their attention. The ASA is an official body, with an official process which requires pubilc help in order to function.

Adverts are my business, they are your business, and they are the business of every mature adult citizen of the UK. We do not live in isolation. The way this country works and the good conduct of its people is a shared responsibility. There is no 'us and them'.

FACT: the ASA did very little.
Resulting FACT: The advert obviously wasnt that much of a problem
Resulting FACT 2: The ASA INFORMALLY closed the case.


Conclusion: Over reaction on someones part.

Originally Posted by orangebird

Wise words. But some members seem to have some kind of witch hunt going, and will not be at all happy at the ASAs actions. :p

Speaking for myself, I am happy. The advert will not be repeated, those at NTL wot did it will (hopefully) think more carefully about it in future, and the doomsayers who predicted a thumping great fine that would put all our subscriptions up have been proven wrong.

I never thought there were any witches at ntl. A couple of goblins perhaps, and maybe even a troll or two, but hey .... I'm sure you're a beautiful and righteous elven lady, OB. :p

[downquark1]

Originally Posted by orangebird

Wise words. But some members seem to have some kind of witch hunt going, and will not be at all happy at the ASAs actions. :p

Not at all, they have recognised the problem and judged appropriately. This is not a witch hunt, we, the public, saw an issue with said advertisement and reported it to the appropriate authority. This is how the system works.

I personally think the advertisement has potential to do damage, maybe it would have if it was on a more large scale medium or maybe it already has. My advice to NTL is don't begin prosecuting file shares until this incident is long forgotten - it may come back to bite you.

I never wanted NTL to be hurt from the issue, just to recognise their mistake.