[Orim]

It's not just with politicians , it can be done with businesses. I know that Godaddy in the states has withdrawn it's support after a boycott of thier services. So that is something that is possible for anyone that uses American companies that are supporting the bill.

EDIT : The bad news is that this is what? The fourth or fifth time in the last year or so that the same bill has esstentially been tried. There's enough money behind that I reckon it will just keep getting pushed till it passes.

[Doctor DooM]

Three ESA members stand against them.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/es...-against-sopa/

You're looking awfully **** right now, capcom.

[K.O.Kiki]

Rock Paper Shotgun have a list of ESA members for/against/undeclared.

[PPC]

Capcom have given some info on their stance

Originally Posted by Capcom Forums

Link
Guys, a few points:

1. We are members of the ESA (along side pretty much every other major publisher in our industry).

2. We've only ever stated that the ESA represents us in legislative matters (again, like every other publisher). We have not stated any stance on our support (or not) for SOPA. Inferring more than that is bad journalism (which seems to be rampant based upon the rereporting of a six word response to inquiry).

3. Months ago I've commented that streaming folks/video uploading have absolutely nothing to worry about. We've always been very accomodating to our supporters (and as this thread would demonstrate, even our detractors) and I don't ever see that changing.

The ESA is working with representatives to improve solutions to what is a real problem. For more details, Gamasutra had a statement from the ESA that states:

"As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection, and do not believe the two are mutually exclusive. Rogue websites -- those singularly devoted to profiting from their blatant illegal piracy -- restrict demand for legitimate video game products and services, thereby costing jobs."

"Our industry needs effective remedies to address this specific problem, and we support the House and Senate proposals to achieve this objective. We are mindful of concerns raised about a negative impact on innovation. We look forward to working with the House and Senate, and all interested parties, to find the right balance and define useful remedies to combat willful wrongdoers that do not impede lawful product and business model innovation."

At Capcom, we're game makers, not legislators. We do not have an internal stance on this particular issue and are not planning to. We'll get back to making games. Thanks.

[Doctor DooM]

Capcom have given some info on their stance

Originally Posted by Capcom Forums

Link
Guys, a few points:

1. We are members of the ESA (along side pretty much every other major publisher in our industry).

2. We've only ever stated that the ESA represents us in legislative matters (again, like every other publisher). We have not stated any stance on our support (or not) for SOPA. Inferring more than that is bad journalism (which seems to be rampant based upon the rereporting of a six word response to inquiry).

3. Months ago I've commented that streaming folks/video uploading have absolutely nothing to worry about. We've always been very accomodating to our supporters (and as this thread would demonstrate, even our detractors) and I don't ever see that changing.

The ESA is working with representatives to improve solutions to what is a real problem. For more details, Gamasutra had a statement from the ESA that states:

"As an industry of innovators and creators, we understand the importance of both technological innovation and content protection, and do not believe the two are mutually exclusive. Rogue websites -- those singularly devoted to profiting from their blatant illegal piracy -- restrict demand for legitimate video game products and services, thereby costing jobs."

"Our industry needs effective remedies to address this specific problem, and we support the House and Senate proposals to achieve this objective. We are mindful of concerns raised about a negative impact on innovation. We look forward to working with the House and Senate, and all interested parties, to find the right balance and define useful remedies to combat willful wrongdoers that do not impede lawful product and business model innovation."

At Capcom, we're game makers, not legislators. We do not have an internal stance on this particular issue and are not planning to. We'll get back to making games. Thanks.

Hmm. The only way, once again, that someone like me will have "nothing to worry about" is if I get a free license from them.

Not that it will matter if youtube doesn't exist in its current form because this bill will pass.

Nice sidestep Capcom, but your peers are still coming out against this, and it will still negatively impact your games.

[Sabre0001]

Sounds like they're backpeddling once again. Seems to be the way Capcom is playing lately. Come out with something...wait for reaction and alter behaviour based on it.

And as Doom says, it could be all for show. If YouTube and other hosting sites decide to play it super safe, it won't matter what their stance is.

What they need to do is provide an actual, clarified stance - i.e. we're against it and making our thoughts known to ESA.

[albel nox]

Thats just the type of BS you'd expect from a company like Crapcom.

They don't wanna say they're against it but not saying it makes them look bad to the people who buy there games. So they can just hide behind this ESA (ohhh we're like everyone else durrr) crap as if it removes they're abilities to make decisions.

This whole thing is a real shame, its just corporate censorship. It a huge blow to communities like this which are some of the greatest examples of use of the internet IMO.

[Orim]

Give them a chance guys they're obviously busy coming up with new gems for us to buy.

[albel nox]

But how will we hear about them!? Noooooo!

[Plumpynuter]

This is worrying but its not only the laws but enforcement by the companies that's important. There are loads of copyrighted material on streams and youtube but only some companies enforce their rights. If Capcom decided that only one person/company could stream their games then it would be detrimental to their brand. I am sure they know that (Capcom's Solicitors and Accountants excluded ).

Taking Call of Duty as an example. It is all over the web and far more popular then fighting games on youtube. They are incorporating instant recording and uploading into their games to encourage this practice. If somebody in the future was to make big money from streams they might want a share. Modern media companies would much rather partner themselves with companies then restrict them from streaming. For the games companies the price of the ticket is the game. Did any of you see the attempt from Activision to make their own show on COD elite. It ended up so far as no more then celebrity COD with players throwing grenades at choppers. They must have got a TV company to make it. Shiny but sh1te.

Its all about intellectual property and brand protection. If one game makes it mainstream (TV or huge ratings for streams, millions of viewers) as it where then the company that makes the game will want their share and control of how their brand is portrayed.

What can you do? It might mean in the long run, real sponsorship and big prizes and investment. They will always want local tournaments and streams. I still think that the UFC model is the model for fighting games in the future. We are a generation away from the visuals and production of fighting games getting to a level that they will go mainstream but I do think it will happen.

Some of the lads are looking for pay per view on streams at the mo and it is just not worth it for the production and professionalism of the streams.

[Plumpynuter]

Originally Posted by Doctor DooM

Capcom have given some info on their stance


Hmm. The only way, once again, that someone like me will have "nothing to worry about" is if I get a free license from them.

Not that it will matter if youtube doesn't exist in its current form because this bill will pass.

Nice sidestep Capcom, but your peers are still coming out against this, and it will still negatively impact your games.

True it is more the vagueness of their position that is the problem.

[Doctor DooM]

Originally Posted by Plumpynuter

This is worrying but its not only the laws but enforcement by the companies that's important. There are loads of copyrighted material on streams and youtube but only some companies enforce their rights. If Capcom decided that only one person/company could stream their games then it would be detrimental to their brand. I am sure they know that (Capcom's Solicitors and Accountants excluded ).

Actually, the whole point about this and the last 2 bills is that it will take away the control from Capcom and hand it over to the US govt. They will be able to prosecute regardless of Capcom's desires.

[Plumpynuter]

Originally Posted by Doctor DooM

Actually, the whole point about this and the last 2 bills is that it will take away the control from Capcom and hand it over to the US govt. They will be able to prosecute regardless of Capcom's desires.

not good

[Vyze]

What's to stop non-American events and recordings, though? If a video sharing website not hosted in America (say, Nico Video) allows people from Europe, Japan, etc to upload videos from non-US games, the US government can't do much, can they?

[Doctor DooM]

Originally Posted by Vyze

What's to stop non-American events and recordings, though? If a video sharing website not hosted in America (say, Nico Video) allows people from Europe, Japan, etc to upload videos from non-US games, the US government can't do much, can they?

100% correct and I am already starting to use another provider than youtube for the odd video myself. If the worse came to worst I'd certainly try to continue, myself.

The thing is- you can't just remove America from fighting games. So many of the characters, the hype and tbh the money comes from there. I'm sure where the video is hosted is irrevelant if it's uploaded FROM America. That loophole pretty much doesn't exist from what I've heard.

Financially, America is a huge market too. Capcom, Arksys, SNK and what have you might be able to survive with 25-50% of their market vanishing but they certainly won't thrive, and the market will certainly shrink if this comes to pass.