Microsoft launches Thought Thieves film competition

[Atarius]

Do you fancy £2,000 worth of Microsoft's money to spend on film and video equipment? All you have to do is make a short film.
Microsoft has launched the Thought Thieves short film competition, inviting film makers aged 14 and over to make a movie on the theme of 'How intellectual property theft affects both individuals and society'.

The subject of intellectual property theft is often seen as legalistic and frankly a bit dull,' said Alex Hilton, anti-piracy manager at Microsoft. 'The truth is that intellectual property is really about people's creations such as software, films, books, music or a fashion line. When someone has worked hard on a creation, it's unfair to see it stolen from in front of their eyes.'

The competition is backed by several organisations including Film Education.

'We're delighted to be part of Thought Thieves,' said its managing director Ian Wall. 'Intellectual property theft is a major problem for the UK film industry, especially with the growth of counterfeit DVDs appearing in the country. Film is also a great medium to explore what is quite a difficult concept and we're looking forward to seeing the creativity of film makers in tackling it.'

Entries on CD or DVD most reach Microsoft by 1 July 2005. The winners in two categories (14-17 year-olds and over 18 and over) will receive £2,000 worth of vouchers to spend on film and video gear and they and the runners up will get a trip to London to see their films being screened.

For more information, terms and conditions and to download an entry form go to www.msn.co.uk/thoughtthieves. Download and print off poster

[Gamer8585]

In a related story the creators of the winning entry recived £2,000, while Microsoft sold it, and all rights, to the MPAA for $1,000,000.

[Jorge]

they should worry about security...

[vixenk]

In a related story the creators of the winning entry recived £2,000, while Microsoft sold it, and all rights, to the MPAA for $1,000,000.

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black, lol.

[FrozenShadow23]

That's exactly what I was thinking vixenk, but not in that regard. I was thinking "Thought Thieves" was interesting when Mr. Gates took some of his code and ideas from... various sources. Or so it's said.

[vixenk]

*nods* That too.

I just found it rather ironic that they're having these people create a movie encouraging others not to "steal thoughts" just so they can steal the winner's thoughts and make money off of it. Encouraging non theft while essentially engaging in it at the same time.

[DwarfBaby]

Why does everyone mock Microsoft? Sure they take everyone's Ideas(called R&D) change them slightly(called development) and market the hell out of them as their own. That's not stealing its Microsoft way of innovation.

[vixenk]

*clears throat* Erm...

When a normal everyday person takes a program's code and modifies it to make improvements or add features to it, whether for their personal use or to distribute for free, and give credit where it's due to the software's creators, they get accused of stealing it, or, more vaguely put, violating the EULA agreement.

But when MS takes a program's code and modifies it, even if only enough to put their name on it, and then sells it as their own, they don't consider it stealing.

[DwarfBaby]

*clears throat* Erm...

But when MS takes a program's code and modifies it, even if only enough to put their name on it, and then sells it as their own, they don't consider it stealing.

Not at all. Why?

Well the why part gets a little complicated. Basically everyone knows stealing is wrong, which is why there are laws to prevent such. But if you are clever and have billions of dollars and political clout you can make the laws or at least influence them so laws don't apply to you. Therefore an act of theft is called implementation, cornering an industry is called Marketing and crushing your rivals with their own product is called expanding your buisness. And as every one knows buisness is buisness. I'm sure Dr. Seuss had a book about this. I think it was called The Cat and Someone Elses Hat. Unfortunatly it was never published.

[eivioolla]

I hope they get tons of sarcastic approaches to the subject. :)

[Signa]

Dont Copy That Floppy!

[.:sp00ky:.]

yeah like some kid filming himself downloading a movie burning it to a dvd and watching it on his big ass wide screen t.v then at the end a messege comes up just saying
"yea its wrong, but it sure as hell beats paying for it" :p

[Auggie2k]

Is it me or does microsoft seem to be going downhill?

[eivioolla]

yeah like some kid filming himself downloading a movie burning it to a dvd and watching it on his big ass wide screen t.v then at the end a messege comes up just saying
"yea its wrong, but it sure as hell beats paying for it" :p

That wouldn't be very sarcastic, that's basically what they're saying anyway. I was thinking like showing drug and gun dealers etc and then seeing how the cops need to let those things go and start to concentrate their resources to the "real issue": some kid downloading eminem songs etc.

[EndGame]

Is it me or does microsoft seem to be going downhill?


gee, You just noticed. LOL

[vixenk]

That wouldn't be very sarcastic, that's basically what they're saying anyway.

*giggles* Yup. They're filesharing's best advitisors. And it's FREE advertising!

They often spend more time on discussing WHY people fileshare than WHY they shouldn't...

And all I was basically trying to say before is MS has just as much blood on their hands, if not more, they just know how to make it legal.

Kind of like calling someone a murderer when you're in the military and killing people every day *I'm not saying that everyone in the military kills people every day*