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Howdy.
I realize that this may have been discussed before, but I could not find that thread.
A few minutes ago I went to eBay and searched for items containing the words "Disneyland" and "50". I was surprised to see a fan-produced DVD for sale covering some of the Disneyland 50th anniversary events. I looked further down the page and noticed that there were at least 10 others for sale as well. Many of the DVD's contained footage from current, still in operation attractions.
I have thought a great deal about this and I have some questions I would like to get feedback on.
1. Why does Disney allow this?
2. There is obviously a market for this type of material. If you look at the seller's feedback rating, it's easy to see that over 2000 DVD's have been sold. Why does Disney not see this and create professional versions?
3. Is this activity unethical?
I have seen this videographer's work online for years and I am grateful that he/she has posted it for everyone to see for free. I am a little concerned that this hobby has now turned into a business. I am happy that he/she is able to have his/her own part time business, but I consider selling these DVD's to be wrong.
For example, the 50th DVD contains footage from the current Parade of Dreams, even though it may have been filmed two years ago. What right does the seller have to film that performance and make money off of it? I would be willing to bet that the performers in the parade are not getting any residual payments from the DVD maker. Don't you think they should get a piece of the profits? Now, if Disney made and sold a video it would be different, but the profiteer is not the performers' employer.
Here's another example. If you took a video recorder into an NFL football game and recorded the game, what do you think would happen if you tried to sell that video on eBay? I don't think you would have much success. Why? Because the NFL owns the rights to the rebroadcast of the game. Disney also owns the rights to the rebroadcast of their shows, fireworks and parades. Just because they choose not to enforce it does not mean that their rights would not be upheld in court.
I could care less if the seller in question makes a lot of money or not. That is not my issue. My concern is what will happen when Disney is FORCED to make a decision on this. Will they become like Universal Studios and ban videotaping and photography on virtually all rides? I think that is what they will likely do. And that will affect me, because I like to photograph and videotape attractions FOR FUN. I don't want to lose that PRIVILEGE because some people thought they had the right to make money off of Disney.
I'm really somewhat peeved about this right now, so my argument is not as coherent as it could be. I just can't believe people are playing Russian roulette with this. It's not fair to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the parks who might be affected by a change in policy, should it occur.
This needs to stop. It's just wrong.
Thanks for listening to my rant.
I realize that this may have been discussed before, but I could not find that thread.
A few minutes ago I went to eBay and searched for items containing the words "Disneyland" and "50". I was surprised to see a fan-produced DVD for sale covering some of the Disneyland 50th anniversary events. I looked further down the page and noticed that there were at least 10 others for sale as well. Many of the DVD's contained footage from current, still in operation attractions.
I have thought a great deal about this and I have some questions I would like to get feedback on.
1. Why does Disney allow this?
2. There is obviously a market for this type of material. If you look at the seller's feedback rating, it's easy to see that over 2000 DVD's have been sold. Why does Disney not see this and create professional versions?
3. Is this activity unethical?
I have seen this videographer's work online for years and I am grateful that he/she has posted it for everyone to see for free. I am a little concerned that this hobby has now turned into a business. I am happy that he/she is able to have his/her own part time business, but I consider selling these DVD's to be wrong.
For example, the 50th DVD contains footage from the current Parade of Dreams, even though it may have been filmed two years ago. What right does the seller have to film that performance and make money off of it? I would be willing to bet that the performers in the parade are not getting any residual payments from the DVD maker. Don't you think they should get a piece of the profits? Now, if Disney made and sold a video it would be different, but the profiteer is not the performers' employer.
Here's another example. If you took a video recorder into an NFL football game and recorded the game, what do you think would happen if you tried to sell that video on eBay? I don't think you would have much success. Why? Because the NFL owns the rights to the rebroadcast of the game. Disney also owns the rights to the rebroadcast of their shows, fireworks and parades. Just because they choose not to enforce it does not mean that their rights would not be upheld in court.
I could care less if the seller in question makes a lot of money or not. That is not my issue. My concern is what will happen when Disney is FORCED to make a decision on this. Will they become like Universal Studios and ban videotaping and photography on virtually all rides? I think that is what they will likely do. And that will affect me, because I like to photograph and videotape attractions FOR FUN. I don't want to lose that PRIVILEGE because some people thought they had the right to make money off of Disney.
I'm really somewhat peeved about this right now, so my argument is not as coherent as it could be. I just can't believe people are playing Russian roulette with this. It's not fair to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to the parks who might be affected by a change in policy, should it occur.
This needs to stop. It's just wrong.
Thanks for listening to my rant.
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