Yes THE RiffTrax. I know, we can’t believe it either.
So to start off, quick question: what the heck?
RiffTrax is a small, independent company of less than 20 employees and piracy really, really hurts our business, especially in the last year when we haven’t been able to do a Kickstarter campaign or live shows due to the pandemic. When this site was brought to our attention, we weren’t angry, we were really hurt. It seems like folks here are big fans of ours, but it’s really disheartening to see such enthusiasm linked with giving away our riffs for free.
In fact, we’ve provided tons of options to stream our content for free (and we can still make a few bucks I might add) like PlutoTV, Tubi, Amazon Prime, and our official Twitch channel among others. We’ve even launched our own streaming platform that gives you unlimited access to tons of riffs for a couple dollars a month.
So, all that being said we’re asking the following:
Please take down all the links to our pirated content on third-party platforms.
I understand where you're coming from, I really do.
The thing is, well, while we can do something about the VODs or shorts, the links to the synced ones may be tricky since not every one can be home to sync their riffs to the movies they watch.
Heck, I go to work almost every day, and I need this to pass the time when I'm on breaks and such!
Also, can I get identifications to shows whom you are? Not that I'm doubting. I wish to make sure.
Apr 06, 2021, 19:17 pm (This post was last modified: Apr 06, 2021, 19:20 pm by RiffTraxOfficial.)
(Apr 06, 2021, 18:58 pm)JusSonic Wrote: Sir? Or Madam?
I understand where you're coming from, I really do.
The thing is, well, while we can do something about the VODs or shorts, the links to the synced ones may be tricky since not every one can be home to sync their riffs to the movies they watch.
Heck, I go to work almost every day, and I need this to pass the time when I'm on breaks and such!
Also, can I get identifications to shows whom you are? Not that I'm doubting. I wish to make sure.
Still a MST3K/Rifftrax fan of course!
Sure, it is currently 4:16 PST here, at 4:21 PST there will be a tweet from the RiffTrax Twitter (twitter.com/rifftrax) account that is just the words "Just thinking about sand."
(Apr 06, 2021, 19:17 pm)RiffTraxOfficial Wrote:
(Apr 06, 2021, 18:58 pm)JusSonic Wrote: Sir? Or Madam?
I understand where you're coming from, I really do.
The thing is, well, while we can do something about the VODs or shorts, the links to the synced ones may be tricky since not every one can be home to sync their riffs to the movies they watch.
Heck, I go to work almost every day, and I need this to pass the time when I'm on breaks and such!
Also, can I get identifications to shows whom you are? Not that I'm doubting. I wish to make sure.
Still a MST3K/Rifftrax fan of course!
Sure, it is currently 4:16 PST here, at 4:21 PST there will be a tweet from the RiffTrax Twitter (twitter.com/rifftrax) account that is just the words "Just thinking about sand."
Additionally, enjoy this copy of my confirmation email. Note the domain.
The first sale doctrine, codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, provides that an individual who knowingly purchases a copy of a copyrighted work from the copyright holder receives the right to sell, display or otherwise dispose of that particular copy, notwithstanding the interests of the copyright owner
I do worry about people sharing RiffTrax digital goods and the potential financial loss from that activity, but I hope that more (financial) good than harm has come from piracy. I stumbled upon RiffTrax over a decade ago because of piracy and, piracy notwithstanding, I imagine I have since spent close to a thousand dollars on physical media, digital purchases, movie tickets, Kickstarter campaigns and Patreon support. That monetary commitment has also increased over the years as I've been financially able to do so. That's not to mention the several converts I've made out of friends and family.
Personally, because of this worry, I've shied away from directly providing RiffTrax IP and view myself as a value-add-service creating HD-versions from newly available sources. Frankly, because we can ignore the copyright of all of the parties involved, we can improve upon what's been made available. This isn't done out of malice or competition, but out of fandom and community.
I applaud RiffTrax forgoing onerous DRM and innovating in a number of ways (Sync app, RiffTrax Plus+, Tubi, Twitch). I think we are all invested in RiffTrax continuing to be successful as a business and should seriously consider the impact of our actions and how we can individually contribute, in whatever way that is. Again, ultimately I believe (and sincerely hope) this community is a net-gain as the economics of digital proliferation and scarcity have changed the game but I am willing to be convinced I'm wrong (and just trying to justify my actions).
If you haven't seen what this community is creating (not just "sharing"), you should take a look at some of the HD Upgrades, Cinema Editions, or the MST3K Remastered project. We love you guys and gals!
Apr 06, 2021, 23:16 pm (This post was last modified: Apr 06, 2021, 23:18 pm by Miss Martian. Edited 1 time in total.)
These days, I'm personally only here for the HD upgrades, Cinematic editions, MST3K remastered, and the pre-synced files. I ALWAYS buy ALL the Bridgette and MJ releases and ALL the Ian & Matthew stuff. And I purchase the MK&B stuff that I intend to watch (usually the classics) such as Invaders from Mars and Last Man on Earth. We have built quite a good community here over the years, and it's certainly born of love for what Rifftrax does. I personally have only shared RT that I have paid for, and only (very recently) as a payback to those that have spent so much time and energy making this community what it is. But there was also a time when I couldn't afford to spend as much $ as I do currently, and that time may be upon me again soon. So I understand that not everyone can afford to support as much as others (like my friend on disability who's stuck in racist homophobic shitsville North Carolina, who needs every cent to maybe one day get themselves out). I also buy tickets to the mads every month, and have spent money on seeing live RT in the theaters etc. Basically, I spend and support as much as I can. Warner Bros and Disney probably still owe me $$$ so I have no problem with sharing their latest output. But I really try to be as respectful as I can to RT.
But also, I hope that the piracy has only helped spread the love. Neil Gaiman used to open his talks by asking everyone: "How many people discovered my books by just buying one off the shelf? (2 or 3 people, including myself, raised their hands)... Now how many of you started reading my works because a friend lent you a copy of one of my books?" (the hands of everyone else went up). And so he has held firm on the position that piracy only helps spread the word, and bring in more fans. I must have lent copies Sandman out 20 times when it was still just a weird comic nobody had heard of. I even ended up rebuying issues because of this. Now he has multi-million dollar contracts. I personally just turned on somone to rifftrax this past easter sunday by screening an old short - "Don't be a Bloody Idiot", they grew up on MST and had no idea there was fresh content still coming out. I suggested WW84 to them and pointed them to the official site. So I hope we help more than we hinder.
All that being said - I will comply because of the way this has been addressed and so politely requested by RT. (Besides - I already paid back the person that originally turned me on to rifftrax the way I turned others onto Gaiman and many others). THANK YOU RIFFTRAXOFFICIAL! We all love you and mean no disrespect! Please keep on doing what your doing (but maybe also consider hiring a more diverse writing staff? wink wink). And please bring back Ian and Matthew more!!!! I know Matthew writes for a some of the B&MJ releases, but I also love and miss the "BritTrax". Thanks again for all your hard work and dedication! Cheers!
I very much agree with Riffling here and I also have easily spent over $1000 on Rifftrax, going back to the beginning. Though counterintuitive in most regards, studies have shown that pirates are also the heaviest purchasers of the products they're downloading.
2)I doubt that you represent Rifftrax, but let's pretend.
I'm annoyed at your manipulative spiel.
Remember Napster and Metallica? Some people do.
Whining about how the pandemic has affected YOU is seriously selfish. Your title "Official" is simply officious. A phrase like "what the heck?" means that you feel betrayed. By people that you know? You don't know us!
You've only recently added public options, such as Youtube streams. You intentionally reduce the quality of the picture and merge/drop frames to make the paid version look better. Stop doing that.
Keep on working hard at being funny. You were GREAT in the MST3K days, and good in the early rifftrax days. Sadly now the only great eps are the live performances.
See? This is two-way. If you're just going to broadcast at us we're going to get pissed off.
Ultimately, we'll find something else more entertaining and you STILL won't get paid. Thats why I doubt you represent the lads.
If you're going to ask for donations, be nice. Be supportive. Be kind. Between MST3K, Cinematic Titanic and Rifftrax, i've only given money to the first two. They aren't dicks.
And Riffling : phrases like 'intellectual property' and 'digital goods' are nonsense. If I pay for permission to enjoy something digital, that does not make it solid or real. These things are not property or goods. Rifftrax loses nothing. So whats the difference to their bank balance? Nothing!
Further topics for discussion : accusation - guilt trips - pretending to be emotionally hurt for profit - employees doing stupid shit without asking Bill Mike and Kevin for permission because they figure that no-one will find out
