The actual "Hasbro.inc" take-downs are actually legitimate take-downs. Even the "Habsro inc." was just a typo.
The emails are always protected legally (So I can't toss personal proof up) , but someone did create a video on YouTube of his experience with contacting them directly about it. You can find that after the break. They haven't told us personally to stop linking streams, but they are removing them from Youtube.
--Sethisto's Trixie-Free Opinion Section--
We grew up on Youtube. Without it, this fandom wouldn't be anywhere near as large as it is. While I can support it from a legal/sales standpoint, it is confusing from the marketing side. Having easy access to episodes, any time, has always been a massive boon to the community.
What was the norm ten years ago, when we would look at the TV guide and plan our schedules out to catch a specific episode, doesn't really fly today. Fanfics, PMV's, Art, and music are always released the date a new episode airs.
I don't think Hasbro/The Hub was prepared for the brony phenomenon, and dealing with something like that while still protecting their assets is going to be rocky. Who would have thought My Little Pony would grow like it did?
--End Sethisto's Trixie-Free Opinion Section--
Exploding about it won't do anything. Don't treat this like Ponyarchive did. Large corporations are complicated. With DVD's on the horizon, it is sort of required that they protect their copyright. It's difficult to sell something in mass to a retailer that is completely free. They have investors, retailers, legal representatives, and hundreds of other sects that need to be appeased. How they will decide to deal with the"brony" group while balancing the others is still undetermined. For now, the best thing YOU can do is give them your take on it civilly, be it in comments here, or through their various contact forms.
Hopefully in the end, we can get some sort of understanding going. Aside from this, both The Hub and Hasbro have been really good to us. It's not worth bashing them over. Take it in stride. Until something crazy happens, we have been dealing with this for months now, so don't expect any major changes yet.
441 comments:
Ah, much better and much more helpful
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The only way to approach this is logically and civilly. Contact them and explain why you like the show, and that most of us don't have access to the HUB, but we want to watch the show and are willing to put our money where our mouth is.
ReplyDeleteah well. that's too bad, if understandable. at the very least, the hub website should still have the newest episode up every week, right? And once season 2 is done (or maybe before then), I'll probably buy the whole season on iTunes, as much as I'm loathe to support apple, unless there's a better option
ReplyDeleteHmmm...
ReplyDeleteWell, that's that. Kind of a shame really, but I guess they have to protect their brand.
Hope they release those DVDs soon, or at least make their iTunes episodes available internationally.
Thanks, I was really confused after that last post.
ReplyDeleteI still say the best Idea is to mirror videos.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against hasbro, they are doing the right thing but in my country,I don't have the hub channel, Youtube is the only way I can get to these so by blocking youtube videos, you're kinda killing bronysm.
PANIC TIME. SOUND THE KLAXONS. FLEE IN TERROR.
ReplyDeleteChanges; they're in store for us.
They better make DVD sets, I refuse to support Apple and their lawsuit ways.
ReplyDeleteAll though you tube was the last remaining way for non US fans to watch the show. I personally don't have a clue how I would watch it if I can't watch it on youtube. But for now will EQD still do the episode links in the Episode post like normal right?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone (particularly outside the US) actually watch the episodes right now on the HUB website?
ReplyDeleteOr, can you buy stuff from iTunes even if you are on a different country? I know you can access the store of another country, but haven't tried buying anything.
Having us watch all the episodes on Youtube may be convenient, but it would end up hurting Hasbro, no matter how popular the show becomes. If we watch it on Youtube, they don't get money.
ReplyDeleteWe have to love and tolerate everyone, even lawyers.
ReplyDeleteThanks Seth, finally some logic in this madness. Getting kinda hectic around here...
ReplyDeleteThere 'aint much to do now but sit and watch the pieces fall into place. Maybe they have a plan? Who knows...
Good luck shutting down all the channels, though. Gonna be a crazy job.
Still, is nice to get some confirmation that Hasbro is taking action. Maybe not the action we'd hope for, but hey at least it isn't trolls again.
I hope they atleast do something for us in the UK and everyone outside the US.
ReplyDeleteWell, i'm wriging down everything that these two posts have been saying.
ReplyDeleteAs long as there is YouTube, people will continue to post streams of episodes, and I hope they continue to do so. Sometimes it's the only means I have to watch the show. Hasbro will just have to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, the right thing to do to innovate and still allow Hasbro to retain profit is to directly sell the episodes DRM-free internationally. This was based off the Louis C. K. experiment and he still made $1 million off of it since his fans were still willing to pay for the content to support him.
ReplyDeleteThe current iTunes US only with DRM is not the way to go. Direct selling would mean they can provide true 1080p episodes in Blu-ray quality and still allow the community to remix and do whatever they want with the file since it is DRM-free.
Once again, here's an article on Louis C. K.'s success on this front: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-57342775-264/wake-up-media-moguls-louis-c.k-no-drm-video-makes-$200k/?tag=mncol
*writing
ReplyDeleteAs long as we do not have any legitimate way to get the episodes outside of the EU, I will download them from Youtube.
ReplyDeleteIt may sound wrong and terribly unfair and all, but if I can't support with my money, what do?
My niece watched the show, so I decided to check it out. Since I don't have the HUB where I live youtube served as a successful medium for my access to the episodes.
ReplyDeleteI sent them an email detailing about how I found the show through youtube, and how I don't have access to the HUB where I currently live. Using youtube I was able to get plenty of other people into the show, and have even bought some merchandise for my niece from stores. I never would have even THOUGHT to buy her something from the show without having seen it first on youtube.
Remember ladies and gentlemen, take it in stride, process your thoughts before you spew them onto paper. Send them your plea/opinion, and don't handle it as ponyarchive did. Hopefully they can come to an end that we all find suitable.
I agree with Seth's opinion completely. Being a teenager with no income (I'm under 16, so yeah), YouTube is the only way I can get the episodes of ponies.
ReplyDeleteWhatever your decision is Hasbro, it's your copyright. We can infringe in no way, nor should we infringe.
@Alan Quirino
ReplyDeleteThe HUB videos won't load unless you're from US.
What about the remixs are they copyright or not?
ReplyDeleteThis cleared up quite a lot. This is understandable, although i'm still going to go download a crapload of the episodes off youtube while I still can.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty simple really. Since I'm not in the US, I can't watch Season 2 without Youtube. If that's gone, then I won't be watching anymore. No more buying pony stuff (which I actually did), no more converting new people (which I also did).
ReplyDeleteYoutube is what makes this whole thing work outside the US. Without it you either need someone to put a torrent of the episodes up, or the international fanbase collapses because without the ability to watch the show nobody cares about any of ancillary products.
Thanks for the calm, reasonable take on the situation. Hopefully they start to offer the episodes outside the USA so the rest of us are actually able to get them via legal means.
ReplyDeleteI absolutly agree to the "not for US people watchable" part... And also, i dont wanna see it in german -.-
ReplyDeleteFurthermore My little Pony episodes are not avaible in the german Itunes Store and defently not in english. Well, I do have an US-Itunes account but they dont accept german Paypal and i dont wanna buy huge amounts of US-Itunes-Giftcards.
I hope there will be a Bluray version next to a -possible- DVD version of MLP (if they are going to make one), i want MLP in HD!
oh... oh no.... now what do i do?
ReplyDeleteThe worst thing is that this screws over anyone not in the US. I can only hope Hasbro offers a non-apple digital distribution of the show, or some properly priced DVDs for international fans.
ReplyDelete..Um.
ReplyDeleteWhy does he say he got the email on the 21st when the video was uploaded on the 20th?
And the 21st wasn't even a Monday, it was Wednesday!
I dont have cable... Nuuu.....
ReplyDelete@Alan Quirino
ReplyDeleteIm from Germany and I cant buy the episodes on iTunes because they are simply not there.
The videos on The Hub website dont load for me but I dont know wether it has something to do with my country or not.
I actually purchased season 1 on itunes during the sale, and it turns out that the "hd" option is only 720p, which for most people I suppose would be enough, but when I get HD I expect 1080 or better. I think that one option Hasboro could pursue is to have episode available, from them, for free, on their site; that way they can control the pony flow, and we can still gather people for the herd.
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian, I'm worried
ReplyDeletethey should sell them through amazon, I would buy that
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely no way how I could get any episodes legally. So how can I support the Hasbro then? Not! There is no way :(
ReplyDeleteI would buy both full season if I could. But no I can't!
If I stay away from watching ponies illegally in english, I will stay away from watching the show at all!
THERE IS NO FRIKKEN WAY AROUND THIS!
I JUST CANT!
At the end this will mean: "NO PONIES FOR A VERY LONG TIME IF AT ALL!"
Tell me now how I should not be unhappy about this!
I don't think it really matters how many channels they shut down; MLP is popular enough that people will just keep on uploading the episodes again and again. Although I'm glad it isn't anti-Bronies that are the perpetrators behind these bans (or SOPA, for that matter), they really can't do too much to stop the constant uploads. I wouldn't read too deep into it, even for those outside the US.
ReplyDeleteHere Here. They really do need to plan this through better. I understand them taking episodes and kinda support it BUT only if they figure out a way to keep the episodes easy access to us bronies. I don't have the hub on T.V. so I have to rely on youtube and such to watch the show. I buy episodes off of I-Tunes when I can but I don't always have the money for that. My suggestion would be to put FULL episodes up on their website with worldwide access. Like Spacecast does. I'm always too busy to catch my fav shows like Doctor Who, Sanctuary, Primeval etc when they air on space so I catch them on their website. Yes their are adds on the site but they're like one 10 second commercial for every 8-10 minutes of tv show. They way they do it is smart, adds make them money but don't annoy their viewers and having it on their website gets them a View count like it would on T.V. If you support this Idea. I beg you EMAIL IT TO THE HUB!
ReplyDeleteSeth, first off, thank you for the information about all of this. Am I saddened? You bet; YouTube was how I found this show, and have seen all the episode. Without it, I would not be a fan.
ReplyDeleteThat said, time to adapt. Hasbro (obviously) has every right to do this, especially now that they are starting put out the episodes on DVD (not in the manner that I or many others would prefer, but that's a gripe for another day/thread). With what you've told us, I have a few questions I, and I'm sure others, would like to have answered.
1) Does this mean that EqD will no longer be posting YouTube links to new episodes on the day that they air?
2) I see that there was a link for showing the episodes on Hasbro's website. Will you be providing links to these when they go up? (When do they go up, and for how long do they stay up on that site too.)
3) Does this mean that the Livestreams on new episodes are in jeopardy too?
Thank you to anypony in advance for any answers they can provide, and thank you again Seth for keeping us in the loop.
Might as well make my opinion known here too...
ReplyDeleteWhen I see the reaction to things like this, I start to understand why Hasbro may be getting ticked off at the fandom.
The fact of the matter is that this is totally within their right. It's incredible that they've left the episodes up for so long anyway. But if they want to take them down, they can. And no, it won't "kill 70% of the fandom." The fandom is built as much on the PMV's, YTP's, Fanfiction, and Fanart as it is on the actual episodes.
And so far they seem to be leaving those up.
Furthermore, the idea that this makes ponies unavailable worldwide is pretty false too. After all, they ARE available on iTunes. I would be pretty damn surprised if iTunes isn't available worldwide.
The only thing that I MIGHT see this doing, is restricting the growth of the fandom, as now we might not have mauch of anything to easily show new prospective fans, but this could be easily remedied by Hasbro putting the videos up on their own site or on their own Youtube channel, which will in turn make them money through ad revenue.
This isn't that big of a deal guys.
Please please please PLEASE don't freak out at Hasbro about this. They're irritated with us enough already, and complaining to them about something that is not only their right, but may actually be starting to hurt them financially will only make it worse.
We want to keep good relationships with them, guys, not bite the hand that feeds us.
@Zalius
ReplyDeleteThey earn money primarily from toys. The show is advertising it. Lots of bronies buy lots of toys.
Acting civil and polite tend to get you far.
ReplyDeleteI just hope that Hasbro wakes up and sees what they are really doing. They almost hold the fate of the fandom in their hooves.
All I can say is well said Seth, well said. Love and Tolerate everypony!
ReplyDeletebig unhappy pony.... :'(
ReplyDeleteIt's not just a matter of buying the DVD's or legally downloading.
ReplyDeleteA HUGE part of why I became a Brony was via the YouTube comments, the comments are almost as entertaining as the episodes themselves.
I wish the comments would still be there even if the videos are taken down.
@fohl
ReplyDeletesame problem :/
(greetings from bremen)
i am from EU and i need sub to really enjoy a MLP episode.
ReplyDeletehow the heck am i supposed to watch new episodes? i am not at home when the stream happens.
i don't care how much spot i have to watch... i can even watch 26 minutes of EU and US spot for an episode.
what about uploading them all on some other site?
i mean...are they really thinking downloads from weirdsite.com are going to decrease theyr dvd sales more than the increase of toy sales?
i feel like youtube takedown anyway is legit, even 6 years old nowadays have access to youtube. but if we use another site there shouldnt be problem.
While I understand that they have to protect their assets, I would never have considered buying something MLP related, if it wasn't for YouTube. There's no way I would have stumbled upon here in the UK, with it being on a channel I'd never heard of until I found out, again on YouTube, that that's where I could watch it on TV.
ReplyDeleteI suppose what I'm trying to say in my confusing and disjointed way, is that Hasbro wouldn't have got the money that it got from me if it wasn't for the fact that the episodes were on YouTube. Even if they were free-to-view on the Hasbro website, for example, I still probably would never have taken the time to try one episode.
I'm just one guy so I'm not sure how representative that is, but it's just my views.
But I repeat, I'm not hating on Hasbro.
@MrSteve Hasbro should listen to this guy!
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm hoping for a DVD release out of this...
ReplyDeleteWhy? Well I think we're running into something of a chicken and egg argument here, because, as Seth pointed out: Hasbro has a lot of parties to appease, not just the Bronies. If they want to offer DVD releases, then one of those parties are the retailers who would carry the stock and really, from a commercial standpoint: who would want to carry something on their shelves which was freely available elsewhere with the creator's blessing?
Keep in mind it isn't the internet generation who are making these decisions either. Even if Hasbro and The Hub have cottoned on to the power of social media, it doesn't mean those they need to sell to have.
As with a lot of people here, I'm watching from outsie the US, there's always away. If you believe the Mayan Calendar then the world ends this year... but I'm fairly certain this isn't it (though if a lack of MLP does cause the apocalypse then I will find it hugely ironic and amusing).
@Dusty the Royal Janitor
ReplyDeleteAs has been said before, you can only buy the episodes on iTunes in the US, they are only in the US iTunes store.
I wholeheartedly agree with Hasbro's actions.
ReplyDeleteIf I were in their place, I'd do the exact same thing. I registered my stories and the characters I crated a while ago, and I would fight to keep my rights. I am Spanish, this means I can't access to the iTunes store to buy the episodes, but when somebody is right you can't fight against that.
Hasbro is right. They are right. And I will stand with the other bronies to defend their position. Besides, guys, don't forget the most important thing. It's just a show. We should really just relax.
@Dusty the Royal Janitor
ReplyDelete"
Furthermore, the idea that this makes ponies unavailable worldwide is pretty false too. After all, they ARE available on iTunes. I would be pretty damn surprised if iTunes isn't available worldwide."
It is, though the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic episodes are available to US iTunes users. :-/
Trust me, I would actually buy the hub channel and support the show directly in a heartbeat. The only problem that I face (and I assume many others face) is that I don't want to buy a whole channel for ONE show, thus I resort to youtube/streams.
ReplyDeleteI just wish hasbro would realise that we are a mature audience, regardless of our obssesion in a show made for younger people
well... time for me to return to iTunes after a long 5 years hiatus from their software :P
ReplyDeletecan someone tell me how long it takes for the new episodes to pop up on iTunes after they're aired? thanks.
There are some wonderful peoples like Lauren Faust, Studio B, all Hasbro staff that work on MLP, but there are also a lot of... (i won't directly call them names i always have in mind for them) peoples who DON'T NOW HOW THE WORLD IS WORKING. Or anything they see is money, money, money, and shit.
ReplyDeleteI understand that Hasbro have 100% right to protect they copyrights etc. and that they want to make profit of they hard work BUT. I will never, NEVER cross the line of buying anything from itunes. DVD, Blu-Ray, anything - OK! Really, I don't mind spending some money on it. I can't watch Hub, I don't even now if this damn itunes work in my country (and i simply don't care if it is), so how else I can watch it? Really, the world isn't just USA. It is a big country but still only one country. And there still is a lot, lot of people living outside US.
Oh, yes, i can watch it on some local channel. With crappy dubbing. But... seriously, no, I don't like ponies THAT much :/
So can someone please explain to me what the big deal is exactly. I mean if the episodes get taken down someone else will almost immediately put them back up. Go to youtube and look up a random episode. It's probably gonna be there.
ReplyDeleteWell said Seth. Not going to hate on Hasbro, it is their right. One quick question. Is Equestria Daily safe? Any chance that this glorious site gets shut down? That scares me. Not quite sure on the whole legal department thing, was just aware that PonyArchive went down.
ReplyDeleteWell, this post sums up my feelings about the takedowns quite well.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I got no way to watch the show except youtube, but it IS their copyright and they do have a right to make money from the show.
I don't think sales would diminish if they allowed the episodes to be posted on youtube, but it is their right to yank 'em.
Hasbro been really awesome to us and we shouldn't blow a fuse when they choose to exercise their rights.
I just hope some sort of compromise can be reached.
but... they havent made it possible for us to watch all episodes on their website
ReplyDelete/sadface
I'll say it again:
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could consider that video as evidence since there are some things that seems odd to me, as another youtube user said, the maker of the video claims that he recieved the "hasbro" letter on the 21st December, and yet this video was uploaded on the 20th.
Why he/she didn't show a screencap or anything proving that it was from an actual verifiable e-mail from Hasbro?
It's very easy to mask an email address behind another. There's even free software to do that available online, you don't need any particular skill to do it.
Scammers do it all the time, I have recieved several e-mails from "Blizzard Entertainment" regarding my World of Warcraft account & characters despite the fact that I DON'T EVEN PLAY OR HAVE World of Warcraft.
I have to agree with seth getting all upset wont get us anywhere best thing to do is to keep calm and pony on.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that should be noted is that if they don't attempt to protect their copyright now (even though it may not hurt them at the moment), it could make it more difficult for them to do so in the future (when they may actually need to). Copyright law can be finicky that way.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Hasbro won't be to hard on the fandom for youtube streams. I mean theres just to many conflicts of interest in this matter.
ReplyDeleteremixes are currently covered under fair use parody laws. uploading a whole episode however, is not covered under fair use, however as any mstie will tell you a show that is not available everywhere will tend to tolerate the distribution of said show. they even used to have "keep circulating the tapes" in the credits. if a company fails to defend its copyright it can lose it legally, so they cannot totally ignore full episodes. however they can be lax in the enforcement, tacitly approving of the actions while outwardly protecting their works. to my mind the best thing to do would be to list the videos privately, thus limiting the liability of this blog. anyone listing the videos would do best to have a backup account in case they are shutdown.
ReplyDelete@Dusty the Royal Janitor
ReplyDeleteLet me surprise you: iTunes episodes are NOT available worldwide. They are available only in the US (and maybe canada i'm not sure) they certainly are not available in europe.
The Brony who made the video is reuploadingismagic or uploadingismagic. For IMPORTANT Information about this, check out the channel EquestriaMLPFiM.
ReplyDelete@Alan Quirino
ReplyDeleteHub videos are region locked to the US, I believe.
This sort of brings about my response to SOPA: I will gladly stop pirating, if the companies involved provide a viable alternative. If I want to watch a show, and it's not being broadcast on a channel where I live, it's not my fault. I shouldn't be expected to move to another country to watch a television programme.
@autobotgodzilla
ReplyDeleteI think the deal is that we used to think we were doing the right thing by ignoring copyright takedowns, the common thought blaming it on parasprites, but now we know it was Hasbro the whole time. Luckily this fandom doesn't have a history of flaring up so hopefully there will be some sort of compromise between Hasbro and the Brony community.
My thoughts on the matter? I say that Hssbro/HUB should wait a bit to block a new episode. Give some people time to at least watch the new installment and let people catch up so they don't feel left out. Then, request it to be taken down to avoid any issues. That way, if someone wants to watch say Sisterhooves Social, said person can just buy it legally.
ReplyDeleteLook at the older comments in the channel EquestriaMLPFiM. I have interacted and discussed this problem with reuploadingismagic him/her self.
ReplyDeleteWhat if they were to do something like a YouTube partnership. They could make good money from that and people who have internet access but not the hub channel could still legally watch it.
ReplyDelete@Alan Quirino
ReplyDeleteI'm in Sweden and I can't get the Hub tv channel, can't watch it on hubworld.com, not getting any DVD releases yet and can't buy 'em from iTunes. So no. Youtube is the only alternative, at least for me.
While Hasbro are absolutely right to protect their copyright (if they were seen to be taking no action, then someone else could quite legally start releasing ponies and demonstrate Hasbro did not protect it), they DO need to provide an alternate option.
ReplyDeleteAs someone living outside the US, I cannot access episodes on the Hub site or through the US iTunes store. If I could I would happily give Hasbro my money.
Seriously Hasbro, I want to give you money. Please sell me your product.
And if approaching them with Civility doesn't work, GET THE PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES.
ReplyDeleteThey stream the episodes on any format that ISN'T iTunes, and I'll buy them. Nuff said.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think they did anything wrong. They had every right to take down videos. I do think it was a bit odd they pretty much condoned uploading videos and were content to let us think parasprites were flagging them and then announced that, surprise!, they've actually been taking them down for months.
ReplyDeleteOf course this will hurt Bronies, but it won't be a problem. We'll keep uploading them and they can't delete them all. I don't really want to fight Hasbro, Youtube, and the law, so I won't upload them myself, but people that want to will have absolutely no trouble.
The biggest problem is that this is an idiotic business move. I will have no way to watch the show if they take it down and I'm sure as hell not paying them for low-fidelity, out-of-order copies of four episodes on DVD three weeks after the episode airs.
The solution to piracy of any type is to give an alternative. For little cost to themselves, they could start an ad-supported website of their own to stream episodes, or they could use Hulu or Netflix. Hell, give us a real DVD boxed set and downloadable episodes worldwide for a price. Any of those options would be better than piracy and I would be willing to pay. Any of those options would give them marketing by keeping the fandom alive and give them some nice income through sales of content.
They're in a very weird place right now. If they're trying to be TV producers, as them taking down the Youtube videos would indicate, then they need to actually let people buy their products. If they're trying to be toy makers, they're also bad at it because the Youtube videos would help market their toys.
TL;DR: They have every legal right to do this even if it is reversing their previous stance, but it's an awful business move.
Screw 'em. For every account they take down three more show up. We have numbers on our side.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too terribly worried, I saw a list of companies that supported PROTECT IP (the bill that evolved into SOPA) and Hasbro was not on it. So obviously Hasbro dose support us, they just also want to make a profit at the end f the day too.
ReplyDeleteHonestly Hasbro, just upload the entire episodes to your sites and stream them yourselves with the advertisements intact. You get the money, and we get to continue watching it on the web. Just make sure it is available in every country.
ReplyDeleteNice post. Very informative. I'm completely on Seth's side with this. I completely understand why Hasbro's taking down the episodes But I'd still rather see them not taking them down, or at least uploading them to their own account... As many have already said, part of why this fandom got so huge is because the episodes were easily available on youtube. With that gone I don't know how long the fandom will last...
ReplyDeleteAh well, maybe I'm just over reacting. It'll probably all work out. What I want ot see in the end is: Working out a way to keep the episodes free and keeping good relations with hasbro.
@TenchiFreak5 This is very true. I just hope that they get a bit "lazy" in taking the videos down so they can claim they are fighting piracy while at the same time not affecting the status quo too much.
ReplyDeleteI still stand by my letter writing idea from the other page to maybe help push Hasbro in that direction.
@Rottweiler
ReplyDeleteFor me, I mailed it to their official "mylittepony" youtube channel that has all the hub/hasbro pictures. I'm pretty sure that's hasbro. I got the same mail response too so it's not a fake. They don't want others to upload. We'll just have to look to other places to upload I suppose.
This is actually a clever marketing ploy on the part of Hasbro really. They let the Youtube streams stay up long enough to help build up a huge fanbase, and for people to get addicted. Now it's big enough, they take down the streams and hope people will buy the episodes. They just didn't take into account the large amount of non-us bronies.
ReplyDelete@Jack Zhang
ReplyDeleteThats actually really smart. Although a huge corporation like hasbro doesn't seem the type to use new, less-tried methods. Too risky
I believe they need to do like many popular shows at this point. Most of us "interweb" types already have paid Netflix and Hulu subscriptions, and in order to keep a revenue stream coming for the show, aside from hard-copy sales, is post this show and all its glory to one of these services. I completely understand Hasbro's reasoning for the takedown...in fast, in my first adventures as a brony, I was completely surprised that every episode of the wonderful show was free on YouTube. Viva la Bronydom!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't they do what south park does? They upload the episodes themselves on their own site in HD for everyone(not region locked).
ReplyDelete@archiveit
ReplyDeleteAbout that, Anybody else on board? I really REALLY would want to approach it from a professional, well rounded, direction. Without wide support, I'm afraid my support would have to leave from the concept.
I hate to say this, but for the protection of Hasbro, its products and name, and the fandom, it may be best to accept the deletion of episode streams from Youtube. Times have changed. If a better solution is proposed with Hasbro's okay, then I fully support it.
ReplyDeleteAh, so it has been confirmed the episode take-downs on YouTube were by Hasbro themselves. Ouch. Well, I'm surprised they haven't taken more down I guess. But I suppose you can only do so much at a time. I think they're within their right. It's their property and they're allowed to protect it. Same as anyone else. And since they sell the episodes via iTunes and now DVD's as well, they have to try and protect their investments and possible sales from those. I can understand that it's nice to have them for free on YouTube, but I can't say I honestly disagree with them either on wanting to take them down. I mean, we aren't entitled to them.
ReplyDeleteIt's Hasbro's own fault for creating such a addictive show. Should've stuck with Strawberry Shortcake.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a lot of people don't seem to know that iTunes doesn't work in all countries... And since most of Europe probably doesn't get The Hub, there really is no alternative other then the internet...
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'll repeat once more that I understand why they're doing this. I just wish we could find a better solution...
I have no problem if they just remove the full episodes. But if they remove all the fan-made stuff that's another story. Although I doubt they would do that.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm glad we're above starting a holy war or or something over this silliness. As someone who tends to actually buy things they like, I like to pretend to have the moral high ground since I like being able to watch this stuff on youtube when I'm away from home and the people who don't get the Hub or the ability to purchase the episodes off iTunes pretty much have the best argument for needing the streams.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly if they started going after more of the fan-based content I'd be more worried, but sometimes I feel like the takedowns... well I won't go there. Businesses have to act like businesses. It would be kind of weird if they didn't.
If there's an aspect of the fandom that resides on youtube, maybe it can be relocated peacefully. Though I expect for every person willing to gracefully bow out of uploading episodes there will be a dozen more flying their colors high.
At the end of the day you don't have to answer to Hasbro or Studio B or the community though it's nice if you consider them (unless of course you somehow torment various legal teams and act like a general flankhat). You have to think about the kind of pony you are and what lets you sleep at night.
I'd hope the fandom is strong enough not to be taken down with the same swipe as the youtube streams.
Everypony calm down. There will be Bronies who will continue to upload, I know some that have confirmed this to me. As for DVD's the Shout! Out Factory will be releasing a 5 episode DVD titled the Friendship Train. For more details, please check out EquestriaMLPFiM. It will clear some confusion. Look at the older comments!
ReplyDelete>shitstorm in Ponychan's /meta/
ReplyDelete>shitstorm in Equestria Daily
>shitstorm in Youtube
>shitstorm in the /b/ pony threads
>...no shitstorm in /co/?
Okay /co/, after a year I'm coming back for a bit until the apocalypse is over.
I just sent an email to the hub about my troubles with viewing new episodes from Norway.
ReplyDeleteAnd told them that an alternative solution would be great.
And at the same time hinted that i would never spend money on their products again i they don't do something.
Well said Seth.
ReplyDeleteyou know this happend befor, "Hasbro Inc" has done the same thing befor, but then BOOM they are back up. Personaly I dount think this IS Hasbro doing it, other wise...ALL of Hasbro branding will be taken down, Transformers, GI Joe, ect ect not just My Little Pony, something dosnt quite add up here. I know if you do a search for anything to do with Hasbro you will still find it...dosnt it seem odd that only the popular accounts, the ones that upload it for us, are the ones target and yet ones that show episodes in parts and un effected? or even noticed? I got a bad feeling about this.
ReplyDeleteWow... I actually thought it was trolls who were pretending to be Hasbro that where taking down the videos.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually kind of relieved to hear this. But being a brony that's outside of the USA, I'm kind of hoping that MLP will soon air world wide.
Hasbro should take a page from Funimation's playbook. Establish a site where they can host episodes through a video player (like Hulu, for instance). Common knowledge says people will buy something after they watch it if they truly enjoy it (aka buying a DVD of a movie after seeing it in the theater OR watching episodes of a TV show and then buying the box set when it comes out).
ReplyDeleteFun fact: Roughly half of the anime series I own now, I first discovered through that site (and Funi's YouTube channel). That's just my opinion on what Hasbro should do. You really want to reach out to the Bronies? Take my advice.
@Dusty the Royal Janitor
ReplyDeleteActually, the iTunes ponies are only available in US, just to let you know.
Not to be whining but, if Hasbro wanted to take down the shows they should've told us not toooooo! It IS them but I don't know why they'd do this to us instead of other courses of action. They could've just told us something like "if you want that season 1 box set then why don't you take down your youtube videos?" which would've been acceptable!!! I understand their marketing techniques in all but they just chose the wrong ones that are just displeasing this time around. As long as they don't get rid of me again or end our equine lives, I think I can tolerate it and just...*sigh* use the actual HUB channel. I'm sorry for those of you outside of Canterlot and America. Well I need a drink at I don't care what Celly says about "foal's aren't allowed to drink" I'm using Travis' Whiskey stash on my moon, better apologize later...
ReplyDelete@thatwyomingpony Agreed. I'd like to see someone who really knows what they are doing (again, not me) spearhead the project, but if done well I think it would be more effective at getting Hasbro's attention than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI'll just quote from the Hub website:
ReplyDelete"Question: I live outside of the U.S. Why can't I see all of the videos?"
"Answer: Unfortunately, we don't have permission to show all of our awesome videos to our international fans. We're sorry, but no one can see them online where you live. We hope you will enjoy the videos and games that are available to you."
I have no problem with Youtube videos and other videos online needing to go down because DVDs are being released.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this makes me nervous because there is no complete season one box set. While Shout Factory has stated their reasoning for one not existing, it is my concern that annihilating online copies of the episodes will jeopardize my ability to watch the show in its completeness five or ten years down the line.
FiM is an amazing show, and I would be more than happy to open my wallet for box sets if it means I can continue to enjoy it in the future.
Honestly, this doesn't change a thing. People are still going to upload episode to Youtube and they will STILL keep coming back. There's more then 5 uploads of Episode 1 still up and untouched.
ReplyDeleteI wish they'd get an official youtube channel for themselves, then everybody's happy. I've seen other companies do that, like musical artists and various anime. People outside the US and without the HUB still get access to high quality videos, and Hasbro still gets money for their show. Plus they would be pretty much the only source for the videos, so the viewer count would be much higher than any other account that posts them currently, assuming they eliminate all he non-official accounts. Sure there'd be ads, but it wouldn't be much different than just watching the episodes on the HUB anyways. Then they just need to get them up within a day or two of showing them on the HUB, and all the squee will ensue. They keep their international viral status and still get to profit off of it. I mean, any losses they might get from people who have the hub but decide to watch it on youtube instead (Maybe they don't have DVR, and I'm assuming that youtube is less profitable than TV) I'm pretty sure they'd make up with the extra thousands that are watching from overseas.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, that's just my ignorant thoughts on the matter. I'm sure it's all way more complicated than that, but I wish they could take it into consideration.
FUNimation has uploaded some of its shows on Youtube, just with ads. Maybe Hasbro can just upload all the episodes themselves, and with ads? that way everyone is happy.
ReplyDeleteFor people who live outside the US, can't you just make a US iTunes account and I don't know... BUY the episodes?
ReplyDeletefan made content is currently protected, anyone that made a pmv could fight it legally under fair use.
ReplyDeleteThats really bad News for me, i have no Hub and no iTunes where i can buy the Episodes...
ReplyDeleteYes, this means, i am throwing Money at my Screen, but nothing happens.
Maybe i should write that to Hasbro, too, just in case they have forgotten about the, lets say, Rest of the World?
I really respect you Seth, I really do, but I don't think acting compleetly passive is going to be any good. While they have the law and rights on their side they are not going to care about our interests unless she show that we are ready to protect said interests.
ReplyDeleteI am not telling people to go hate mail and all but we should really be watching out back and probably creating an organized, orderly, and EQD advertised way of contacting them. (Something like the SOPA post? Charge?)
Because honestly, the episode uploads are our lifeblood, without them we will not be able to efficently grow.
And starting tomorrow I was going to bring ponies to attention in my school, now I don't even know where to go after people have heard of it as they won't be able to watch it. Probably not the only one facing this problem now.
How much time between the point at which all the episodes are taken down and fan made content using parts of the episodes will be targeted? Don't tell me Hasbro loves us to much and would never try to do so.. ponies might have made life beatiful again but don't start being naive and thinking everyone outside this fandom is as nice as said ponies.
Over all, I don't know how much power Sethisto really holds but we have seen by earlier cases that a lot of people are willing to follow his word. Make a petition, letter or whatever seems most reasonable and contact them with said petition in your hoove. If you can that is.
I'm glad Hasbro finally is taking action... was getting tired of all the troll groups from /V/. Regardless While it saddens me that the eps will not be available to us on YT (more or less) and I feel for the people who can't get them in any other way... As far as the Fandom is concerned... This will change little... We all still love the show and will all eventually find our source of ponies... legit or not... My only hope is that people will support the show as much as they can... We show'd the indie game world we're not bucking around when we beat notch with the Humble Brony bundle... Now it may be time for some of us to use some of that money to support our talented animators at Studio B and Hasbro who is ultimately responsible for MLP's existence.
ReplyDeleteGood luck everypony :)
The corporations sure like shooting themselves in the feet... They are taking down what essentially is a free advertising.
ReplyDeleteIt won't change the fact that all episodes are still available on torrents (including iTunes rips) for those interested enough.
The only thing such move achieves is killing the #1 way of finding the show for the new people. Good job!
Sorry for the date typo in the video, I didn't notice that until a few minutes ago.
ReplyDeleteThe actual correct date is 19 December.
http://i.imgur.com/t7NQv.png
@ScootaChicken
ReplyDeleteHasbro could take this route, it would be quite reasonable.
@Jake
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm replying to myself. Whatever.
I'd like to clarify. I'm not mad at Hasbro at all, just offering some advice on how to make this wonderful show more accessible to certain fans.
If Hasbro's really serious about this, the least they can do is make the episodes legally available to all worldwide, and those in the US who aren't willing to infect their systems with Apple malware or buy overpriced hardware. (In other words, iTunes or nothing is NOT a valid option.)
ReplyDeleteUntil then all they're really doing is pushing the online posting of episodes underground, and nothing is actually being done.
@A guy who likes ponies
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your idea
Can we request Hasbro to make a formal statement to the community? Where would that be requested at? I think that would be a good place for a start at clarification.
ReplyDeleteWhile Hasbro has better communication with its fanbase than most others do, it still is far off from recognizing all angles of problems that have just been raised.
Ideaaaa! I know there are a whole set of legal bit to cut through but is it possible for the hub to post the new episodes to youtube and have their thing set up for advertisements and revenue??
ReplyDelete@Shiranai
ReplyDeleteYoutube videos can be region locked too so it wouldn't work...
@Shantara
ReplyDeleteIt isn't always so simple. Hasbro may recognize that it is free advertizing for the toy line. However, they have partners such as Apple and Shout Factory who are more directly in the business of selling the episodes. Hasbro also may feel the need to maintain their relationships with these companies.
Everyone should e-mail them or contact them in whatever way that you can. I just did. It even ended up being much longer than I thought it would be. I'm not letting this happen without a fight. Maybe I have my first YouTube video for 2012 after all... I may... discuss this in a future YouTube video... maybe...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, everyone should contact Hasbro about this in whatever way that you can.
Am I disappointed? Very. Am I surprised? No. Honestly, I completely understand Hasbro's side to this. Anyone critical of Hasbro should really review American copyright legislation. It's a finicky beast wrapped up in precedent and whether or not they've demonstrated an ability to protect their intellectual property. And it's arguably a very broken, confused system.
ReplyDeleteFurther compounding this problem is, yes, actual physical distribution itself. I think people are misinterpreting what Seth said about having to take down YouTube episodes in order to get their DVDs out there. It's not about whether or not they think the absence of episodes will force more people to buy DVDs. It's about convincing the actual distributors themselves to carry them. Wal-Mart or Superstore will inherently be less likely to carry DVDs of MLP that they think are unlikely to sell well. They need to gesture at the YouTube scene and tell them that free episodes won't be a big deal.
The fandom's survived worse. And numerous different streaming sources exist. The brony community, I feel, could take a few cues from the modern anime fandom. There's a truly staggering number of YouTube region-free streaming alternatives and different hosting websites that sprung up from which non-Japanese viewers could watch.
I just wish that Hasbro would consider more modern distribution methods.
I agree with what reuploadingismagic, Seth, and Hasbro said. I have a feeling that this issue will come back though.
ReplyDeleteWhat still gives me some hope is that, if they actually wanted every episode out of youtube, there wouldn't be there. Youtube has automatic methods to avoid uploading copyrighted material. (Have any of you seen any Family Guy or Simpsons episode on youtube? Even the 10 seconds streams have to be mirroed). So they are using a manual "lazy" method instead of an aggressive and actually effective one.
ReplyDeleteIf there comes a time in which it's really impossible to watch the episodes the way I'm doing it now, I'll change my view. Until now I'll take their actions as a "We really cannot freely allow the episodes to be in youtube and we're doing our best to seem that we're protecting our IP while trying to interfere the minimum possible with the fandom".
Also, please remember that international distribution of the series is something that depends only in a very little way on Hasbro itself, thanks to the messed up international copyright, licensing and broadcasting laws...
I contacted them. Here's what I sent to them:
ReplyDeletehttp://pastebin.com/KWCtzgVn
Welp, not much else we can do. I understand Hasbro's position totally.
I feel like that letter is a bit rough on the edges, could do some work. But I guess it gets the job done.
@RadioShadow
ReplyDeleteDon't you think we have thought of that? The problem is that not only you need a US account but that account must be linked to a US issued credit card or a US issued iTunes gift card. So yeah it is not that easy.
@Taralyn
ReplyDeleteWhile you may not like Apple or their business practices, to call their software malware is patently false.
I think we need to approach this a bit more rationally and find ways to communicate to Hasbro and retailers that we are willing to pay money for box sets on DVD/Bluray.
I know it probably won't make a difference (or get a reply) but I shot an email Hasbro's way asking if they had plans to make the iTunes versions available worldwide.
ReplyDeleteAs little an effect it'll have it's better than sitting back complaining about it I guess.
Buy on iTunes, watch on their site? USA is not center of the world, but looks like Hasbro belive it is. Old pricks farting in their chairs needs to understand how world works now, because its not 80's anymore.
ReplyDeleteWe will watch it illegally then if thats what they prefer.
Looks like it's time for me to get a Season Pass on iTunes.
ReplyDelete@Aullie96 You do know the HUB has more than one good show right?
ReplyDeleteWell they did give us a site to watch them on I suppose. But I can't actually buy episodes on iTunes. They're only available in the U.S., and I'm in Canada.
ReplyDeleteIm worried Hasbro saw the opportunity behind the brony community, the sort that only benefits them. Yes, they have to make money off it, and the toy sales have increased since the series began.
ReplyDeleteStill, it seems as if they decided to stop using the TV series as a marketing tool to sell toys, and are now wanting to make a direct profit off them, too. This will effectively cut down toy sales as episodes will be harder to watch, which means something I just can't approve of:
Hasbro is seemingly considering MLP's success for granted, and sees the brony community as a surefire way of spreading the word around, since they were shown over and over that this particular community is practically willing to throw money at them. Such a quick switch in business strategy, without actually making sure the episodes were widely available, suggests that Hasbro might be seeing bronies as a tool to benefit from, as opposed to a new fanbase to appeal to.
If their new strategy is 'Lock down all sources for episodes, then release DVDs worldwide as seasons end', not only will they arguably fail as pirates will gleefully bypass their attempts at stopping them, but they will also suffer an undeniable PR disaster as they try to tell their customers and shareholders that 'So, uhhh, we're absolutely changing our business practice!', nothing stresses shareholders more than risks and questionable changes.
As much as I try to stay positive about the whole thing, I can't help but notice how Hasbro is slowly throwing the gloves off, and are starting to understand how to gain the most out of MLP:FIM, without actually having to benefit the community at the same time. What if 3-4 more seasons are confirmed, shifting the series to a total 'Milk it to the max!' model?
*sigh* I want to obtain the episodes legally, but I can;t. No hub here, no iTunes, no DVDs.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna write to Hasbro and ask. Maybe I'll get a reply...
Ok if hasbro releases a global download of both seasons that I could buy. Then I promise to buy it for myself and another one as a gift to my niece! But please have these wonderful episodes avaivable for everyone!
ReplyDelete@A guy who likes ponies
ReplyDeleteI wish you could send hasbro an email with your suggestion. It is something that is worth trying and they will not find out about all our solutions without mentioning them.
( Flutershy mode ON)
If it's not such a big hassle of course.
Well, there's also free things like Hulu that would give the Hub ad revenue AND let the episodes still be available... why don't they do that?
ReplyDelete[malodramatic]
ReplyDeleteWoe, looks like tis the end for us international ponies, how would we ever have access to new pony contents now?
[/malodramatic]
Silliness aside... I'm... not sure where I stand on this whole issue. On one hand I completely understand their need to make money off the series, it's what drives cooperates these days.
But on the other hand, I have absolutely no way of getting new pony episodes. It's not that I don't WANT to pay them money for episodes, but living in New Zealand means we not only NOT have any legal ways of getting the newest episodes, we also have a tendency of getting everything LAST... So something like a DVD release probably won't be released here till at least a couple months later after it's released in the US.
God, why must it be so hard? :'C
looks like it is time for some good old graboid video time.
ReplyDeleteHmph, I understand why they're doing this, I know they're well within their rights to do so but I can't really agree with it unless they try and make them available worldwide.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they could put it up on their channel on youtube or something with ads or somesuch (I know it's not optimal)
At the very least i'd like them to be available in all the Itunes stores, not just for USA.
@Stardust Les not be tooooo too haysty,*hiccup* ,siddown an' have j00rslf a drink nyeeah?
ReplyDeleteFINALLY YOU SILLY WANKERS HAVE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
ReplyDeleteAt least I won't have to whine about Ponyarchive in comments here anymore. PA flipped out but the owner is a young guy, a teenager methinks, and was left alone with this whole mess... He should have been given support form bronies but he was mostly ignored... It's too late to fix it. We must go on.
I've been bombarding Hasbro with polite emails about our fandom and problems of bronies worldwide. Please join me in it. They need to understand that we actually have money and want to spend it but people like me have no way to do it. It's ridiculous! I cannot 100% legally buy episodes, I cannot buy quality merchandise because there's nothing G4 in my local stores. Srsly!
For now, there are "some bronies" (wink) who upload episodes in good quality on Demonoid.me - private torrent website (the source will run dry after episode 10 because these episodes were previously published on PA). There is no other way to get the show so we need to deal with the problem somehow. I'd strongly prefer being able to buy them somewhere, hopefully on nothing Apple-related with shitloads or ridiculous DRM.
As I've already said here: bronies like me will survive and get everything we want but by attacking our community Hasbro is killing a hen laying golden eggs fro them. SELL US STUFF - DON'T SUE US!
@K-R
ReplyDeleteA liitle rough around the edges, as you said, but you showed respect and showed that we don't want to just whatch the show for free, but to actually spend money on it.
If every letter follows that lines (1.Love and Respect, 2.we are a profitable fanbase willing to spend money, 3.The ones with real problems are the fans outside the US) I doubt they could do any harm, and they could do good indeed.
What worries me is people sending hate mails, but it doesn't seem the case anymore. I'm relieved :P
@Celestia An', an' j00, don' go tellin' me how,how much I can and *hiccup* can't drink!!!
ReplyDeleteHey what would happen to us international bronies anyone know how to watch the episodes. I mean because of work I cant see the streams so I rely on youtube.
ReplyDelete@Shiranai
ReplyDeleteI understand your (and Hasbro's) logic for this action. However, it doesn't change a fact that fans not from US would still find a way to watch the show.
Question to EqD staff: would you still post links to youtube streams in episode posts? Or should we just pretend that they don't exist anymore?
A question: Can people access dailymotion?
ReplyDelete@Kether
ReplyDeleteThis makes a lot of sense. I get the feeling Hasbro likes the advertising the brony community and their uploads have produced, but are now nervously eying the US copyright laws. Using a manual whack-a-mole technique is probably the best of both worlds to them. If so, then kudos to them because that seems like the only way to protect their IP under copyright law without completely scouring the 'Net of MLP episodes.
The target demographic the show is aimed towards is fairly unlikely to resort to Youtube for their episode fix. I'm sure there are a few exceptions, but we are talking about little girls who are still just learning what the internet is (that is, if they're being taught with any amount of tech-savvy approach from their parents).
ReplyDeleteRemoving them from Youtube primarily only effects the periphery demographic they did not even expect to have, and this demographic is fully capable of getting them through other means. If they had any plans to market to us at all, it might make some sense, but they aren't doing that either (screw the DVDs, those aren't aimed for us anyways).
It makes sense from neither the sales nor the marketing standpoints. The free availability of episodes is the primary reason there are adult fans out there who have even bothered to buy anything called "My Little Pony", despite it not being for us. It's free marketing to a source of income they weren't even aiming for; why do anything to stop it at all?
@Shantara
ReplyDeleteI'm only guessing as to Hasbro's logic. I agree that they would probably be best served to find some solution that will get the show to non-US viewers in a legal fashion.
As long as they start to sell entire seasons of the show at once in dual-volumed box sets, each volume holding enough discs for half of that season's episodes, I'd happily oblige to purchase (ALL OF) them legally. Hasbro's (and really -every- company's) problem in regard to selling dvds of their tv show is that it takes a while to plan, organize, produce, market and sell the sets to the public. And none of that even really starts until the show has stopped airing on its channel, which takes over a year anyway.
ReplyDeleteEverypony, we'll have to see what happens.
ReplyDelete@Sigil and all other worried non-US bronies.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be so worried. I mean, if you read the article and watch the video you'll see that they have been removing the episodes for months now, but we've been able to watch every one regardless. I doubt that will change soon.
As I said before, they haven't used youtube's automatic protection features, so if nothing changes this "game" of uploading and removing will continue and there will be still be a copy of every episode. Of course things can change course, and if that happens we'll have to worry, but for now I, at least, I'm not too worried.
My suggestion? FiM should have it's own YouTube channel, with all the episodes. I would suggest that one episode gets about 1 million views, which should be plenty to an advertiser. So basically, all the episodes, in one place, and Hasbro still gets direct income. It's a win-win.
ReplyDeleteಠ_ಠThey should know that this fandom doesn't include only America.
ReplyDelete@Princess Luna
ReplyDeleteSo all they had to was tell us copyright violations are illegal? Who knew?
@Maquabra
ReplyDeleteI think that physical letters would carry more weight than hoards of emails.
The rise and fall of the brony fandom? Good job Hasbro, bravo.
ReplyDelete@Kether I'm really hoping that this is the case, and judging by the number of episodes up right now, even the less popular ones, I think it may be the case. I just hope they hold off taking a more hardline stance until I am no longer too poor to afford the episodes, because as soon as I can support Hasbro financially I intend to do it.
ReplyDeleteI want to state though I don't disagree with them wanting to take the episodes down off YouTube. I do agree with some in that I wish they would work on making the episodes available to purchase from those in other countries who are not capable of buying them off iTunes, DVD's, etc.
ReplyDelete@Vasyl
ReplyDeleteMany of the workers probably do. But all corporations are gigantic, lethargic beasts. They take a long while to stir from their current position, only hastening themselves when a whole hive of insects come along and start drawing blood.
lol, obscure metaphors.
@Brian Hay thas' jus' wha I waz think'n now let me drink my weight and moar...
ReplyDelete@KouThan
ReplyDeleteI would, but a lot of people are sending in e-mails, and I hardly carry any weight anyways. I'd get lost in the sea along with most of the other e-mails.
...although, don't some people at studio B/Hasbro follow EqD? what if Seth posted some of the solutions that people have in its own article and sticky'd it for a while? that might be a more effective way of getting these ideas across. They might propagate the ideas by themselves much better than anybody will with a random e-mail.
This makes me think of an idea. What if Hasbro made there own YouTube channel and worked something out with YouTube to have their own adds put into their episodes. or to have YouTube put adds on the videos. In doing so Hasbro will still be making some money from the show and allow people like my self and others that can not pay for the episodes to watch them. This option could solve some issues and also if it were all Hasbro adds then it could also sell some product of theirs
ReplyDelete@Jebediah Oldenheimer
ReplyDeleteSwarm of insects. Dammit, I'm always messing up my word choice...
I don't see what the big deal is. You can still see every episode on various You Tube channels.
ReplyDeleteThe lawyers cut off one head, three more pop up to take it's place.
You can't stop the signal.
I am completely cool with Hasbro taking the YouTube videos down, as it is their rights to do so. However, whilst doing so, they must then provide an easy, not too pricy deliverance of episodes for non-US fans (such as myself), who don't have access to the episodes via. the Hub, and would rather want to watch the ORIGINAL version than watch the translated versions.
ReplyDeleteSo, dear Hasbro, I really hope you come up with a way that'll keep this worldwide fandom alive.
Although I do believe they have the right to do this it probably isn't for the best. Rather than just taking down the episodes why don't they launch their own YouTube channel? I know for a fact that me and other bronies would subscribe and support that channel in a heart beat. They could become YouTube sponsors and make a lot of money. Or at least provide some other sort of online access for bronies who are in foreign countries
ReplyDelete@supersaiyanmikito
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY my thoughts.
Nopony ever listens though.
@Random White Ners
ReplyDeleteExcept that it will probably break the licensing contracts they have with TV channels worldwide.
Think about this: Probably when they started the show they sold the distribution rights to some tv channels the same way they would have done with any other girly show. They didn't have any reason to expect the show to become as popular as it is now so, why act different?
The problem now: As they are co-owners of the Hub, wich has distribution rights in the US, they can do pretty much what they want in there. But, outside? Outside they made contracts, so they can't make the show available where it could compete with the TV channels they sold the rights to. Also, the decision of airing or not the episodes on those countries is of thos companies only. Hasbro can't do almost nothing about it now, their hands are legaly tied.
Now, I agree that this licensing international laws are awful and obsolete, but they can't just break them and risk to be sued. So remember, it's not so easy for them to find a way to make the episodes available worldwide now.
Sent my email, trying to come to an answer.
ReplyDeleteHopefully we can come to an understanding with Hasbro
Destroyer said...
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do believe they have the right to do this it probably isn't for the best. Rather than just taking down the episodes why don't they launch their own YouTube channel? I know for a fact that me and other bronies would subscribe and support that channel in a heart beat. They could become YouTube sponsors and make a lot of money. Or at least provide some other sort of online access for bronies who are in foreign countries
January 2, 2012 5:44 PM
^THIS^
Watching the show on youtube is how many of us got into the phenomenon. Some have even gone out and bought some of the merchandise. Having episodes on youtube is free advertising
@A guy who likes ponies
ReplyDeleteActually the fact that after so many emails they will stop paying attention is a possibility but still every single email shows that there are people that deeply care about the show and that have all the best intentions to help hasbro find a solution. I don't believe that any email will be a waste of time because big companies really care about their image and also are obligated to monitor costumer complains. Of course it is your decision the way that you will act and I can only respect it.
Okay, I've talked with some people who know what they're talking about and here's the deal.
ReplyDeleteHasbro is legally required to do this whether they want to or not and whether it's actually profitable or not. If they do not, they could forfeit their copyright on the episodes, which would be deemed in violation of shareholder interests, which is against the law.
take a breather guys. Even EMI, with its extreme habits of taking down even the tiniest use of copyright material miss one or two videos. There are bound to be streams that slip through the cracks
ReplyDeleteCopyright is an outdated concept, and as the future progresses, either it's going to die out, or the the internet will be locked down with information blocking.
ReplyDeleteSo does this mean I have to start giving money to Apple if I want to watch ponies?
ReplyDeleteWell played, Hasbro. Well played.
@MedicShy
ReplyDeletehulu doesn't work in some countries.
Look, if they start to take this copyright protection too far (Like they're already starting to do) then a large portion of us will be forced to stop watching the show. I know this sounds awful but it can actually be a good thing. If a large portion of us stop buying merchandise and watching the show then they'll start to lose profit. Then be forced to admit they're mistake and allow the youtube videos back up. Luckily for us in a capitalist society like the US we have control over the market so there is hope that we can affect they're business strategy. At the very least we can make the episodes available for purchase in other countries(they need love and ponies too).
ReplyDeletethey made the show and we made the reputation of the show
ReplyDeleteand most of fan will buy the dvd
hasbro should not hit people that feed them
maybe we should use the friendship beam on the hasbro website a few days
I'm surprised that nobody suggested that Hasbro get a youtube channel and upload their shows themselves. (provided they don't country lock them.)
ReplyDeletethey can always do something like what southpark does, southpark has southparkstudios.com to view the episodes, the episodes are there for about a week then taken down and put back up again once they can actually get the permission to show the episodes there to watch, for free, at any time!
ReplyDeleteand southpark still releases dvd's.
i think hasbro should let us do the same with that.
You know, I think that we are taking the international distribution thinkg backwards.
ReplyDeleteThat's a new idea: Think of your favourite DVD retailer and ask them to license the episodes from Hasbro or whoever has the rights in your country. That's how things usually work.
As I'm pretty sure many of you would be familiar with this example: It's Viz Media who buys from Jump or Kodansha and decides what and when to buy. This is the same. There's very little Hasbro can do outside the US, but we CAN find companies that could bring the show to us.
@Suroguner
ReplyDeleteActually if you read all the comments you will find out that lot's of people have suggested that, but I am not sure if anyone has sent an email to hasbro suggesting that.
I agree completely with Random White Ners. If they established their own official channel, then there really wouldn't be an issue with shutting down the duplicate channels. They gain the advertising revenue, we retain easy access.
ReplyDelete@Lupus Albus
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised how many people don't realize this. No matter how much they may like us (or not, who knows) their obligation is to their shareholders. It's important to keep in mind that Hasbro has lost copyrights and trademarks in the past, so they do know what's at stake here.
Is it possible for them to make an official YouTube account running ads on it so that they still make money and we still get to watch the show?
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm gonna go suggest that.
@KouThanI'm sure they've considered it. It's their job to think about things like that. For whatever reason they haven't done it already. As for whether or not they'd do it if there was enough viewer interest, who knows, but it's the sort of thing worth mentioning if people do choose to contact them.
ReplyDeleteI live in Mexico, and due to my country not giving a buck on putting the show in order (not to mention it's on a channel that is aimed for toddlers {Latino Discovery Kids}), if it weren't for YouTube, I would have never been turned into a female Brony (I'm keeping the name instead of Pegasister XD)
ReplyDeleteI don't have the Hub, and I'm not going to watch a latino toddler channel to see MLP out of order and in the not-so-good Spanish dub. (seriously, last monday they had Boast Busters, and on Tuesday they had The Elements of Harmony, there's a gap there!! D8< )
Bad move Hasbro. If I were them Id focus on the merchandise for money and the tv series to reel in fans. If they actually made the merchandise a little more appropriete for the community and more accurate to the show they might get more money. Sales are already up. I saw the show on youtube and guess what, I bought some merch. Never had hub so I wouldnt of seen it if it wasnt for it. They should just do it the roosterteeth way and let people see for free and make money on the merch and ads. Once people eventually trikle out of the community they wont be getting any new people. Meaning, large decrease in sales in everything.
ReplyDeleteAs a UK brony, I sent a polite email. Hopefully something good will come of it. The eps of youtube have been necessary for me, I haven't always been able to catch the livestreams.
ReplyDeleteGood call Seth.
ReplyDeleteOh, this makes so much more sense now. Of course they can't support free Youtube episodes, because they are licensed to TV channels.
ReplyDeleteIf they actually wanted all MLP off Youtube, they could have/would have easily made a much bigger takedown push than they have. It would have been pretty easy, considering so many of the episodes tend to link to each other.
They probably love the free advertising they are getting from us, and they've given nothing but support (aside from some of these takedowns). I bet they realize it's in their own best interest that our Youtube uploading out-paces their takedowns, they just can't say or do anything legally.
@Tifa13
ReplyDeleteIf the Latin Spanish dubbing is half as bad as the Spain Spanish one, I understand you very well.
God, how I hate the voices. They are all "standard girly show pastel voices". Pinkie Pie sounds like Rarity, for Celestia's sake!
My email to Hasbro, sent as a logged-in Hasbro.com user to the "My Little Pony" -> "Where to buy" section.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to click the 'send email' button again after their FAQ attempts to answer your question automatically.
Let's show Hasbro our support for international bronies!
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Dear Hasbro,
I'm a huge brony; I work on fanart, organize meetup events and groups, and spread the word to my friends. I buy the toys and the episodes and look forward to more!
I can honestly say it would have been difficult for me to find and appreciate this show without the availability of YouTube streams. I now own both seasons on iTunes and am looking forward to purchasing DVD releases and background music tracks for the show.
When the show was new, Hasbro, inc. seemed to tolerate MLP:FiM episodes on YouTube. It seems that era is over. Fans can no longer watch older episodes online. While I understand some of the legal and financial motivations for this, it causes a few problems for fans of the show. The largest of these is the international availability of MLP:FiM.
As an example of the diversity of the adult fanbase, I recently got a simple blimp project video posted on Equestria Daily. In a few days, my video received views from 73 countries. 45% of the views came from outside the United States.
International bronies rely heavily on YouTube streams for viewing episodes, since they cannot buy episodes on iTunes or on DVD (not yet released...).
Surely one or more of these suggestions can allow international bronies to continue to enjoy and celebrate the show while providing revenue and interest for Hasbro and protecting its intellectual property and brand names:
- Open up MLP:FiM Seasons to other locations on iTunes
or
- Post low-resolution episodes on the official MLP channel on YouTube. Add links to iTunes purchases and Amazon links to the DVDs (current and future)
or
- Release DVD or BluRay season box sets of the show in multiple regions
or
- Repost old episodes for viewing on hubtv.com
Thank you for your support of this out-of-the-ordinary fan base! As a whole, we would love nothing more from Hasbro than to be able to continue to support MLP:FiM with our purchases as well as our extensive fanart and community-building. Personally, I am grateful for a show that has introduced me to great characters, great stories, and a fanbase that has exposed me to such amazing music, art, and sense of community.
BROHOOF!
(my information removed)
PS Even as a brony that owns the seasons on iTunes, I still often choose to watch them on YouTube or Livestream (live) because it is more convenient. Myself and many other bronies would love a non-iTunes option eventually...