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Comment by MatthewPhillips | Hacker News Reader

If Hollywood made this exact same product but with pay buttons, why would I as a user choose it over movies.io.

Convenience and (the perception) of safety, both from law and malware. Paying a reasonable amount for a movie that is easy to find and watch is a no-brainer for me. Of course, my time to income ratio is low.

And of course quality.

Just because its possible to get a thing for free doesn't mean no-one will pay for it. Just look at bottled water.

Where do you get bottles for free?

1. Purchase tasty beverage.

2. Drink beverage.

3. Free bottle!

Doesn't work in Germany, we've got 15-25ct deposit on all bottles.

Set up a bin anywhere people go that says "recycle" and you'll get plenty.

Is the bin that says "recycle" free?

People don't buy bottled water for the bottles, otherwise they'd throw away the water, and keep the bottles. Instead they keep/use the water and throw away the bottles. The water is what they pay money for, you can get that for free at home.

> People don't buy bottled water for the bottles, otherwise they'd throw away the water, and keep the bottles.

Speak for yourself; I personally have done this.

OK, I'm sure there are counter-examples to just about ever rule. However I think it's accurate to say that the vast majority of the population buy bottled water for the water, not the bottles. My point stands.

Free water from home tastes worse. Making the analogy, if they want to sell content they need to give extra quality than "illegal" download. Cinema large screens, live concerts, etc. I cannot see another way.

I'd pay 5-10 bucks for a high-quality mp4 or mkv, even if the site's interface was terrible. Right now I rent movies, about once a year. I find myself wanting to buy them online once or twice a month.

Because you want to support the making of more movies of the same kind. Because you have a conscience. That said, there will always be those who shoplift in stores, or pirate movies. I don't believe those people constitute the majority of the population.

Because you want to support those who produce the content, if you like using it. Not supporting them while using their creation is sheer disrespect, regardless whether piracy is illegal or not.

Because this site (movies.io) will inevitably get shut down within the week.

I don't think it will. We'll try to maintain it up by any means possible as long as there's a satisfying worldwide alternative to buy/license this content.

In a way, it's a political stand. We're already in contact who could help us make an alternative that would be both legal and ethical.

EDIT: this is the manifesto I was looking for: http://www.dontmakemesteal.com/

1080p, surround sound, perfectly mastered instead of being ripped from a dvd or a cam, and no threat of being sued.

> If Hollywood made this exact same product but with pay buttons, why would I as a user choose it over movies.io.

Same reason you buy stuff instead of stealing them?

But downloading is not stealing.

Interesting, but would you take a stolen car? Doesn't quite compare, I know, but it's a bit silly to justify it by saying that.

If it were also reasonably priced, users who wish to reward people who make this type of content possible would pay for it.

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