They way I see this topic is this:
It technically is illegal to download TV shows. However, if the series hasn't rought out DVDs or VHS copys to be sold, they aren't going to ***** too much about it.
Once the DVD/VHS versions start hitting the shelves of any store, that's when the companies start knocking on doors trying to stop illegal distribution. The whole MP3 issue comes into play, "You're stealing our profits from downloading our material without paying" For new shows like Lost or Desperate Housewives where DVDs of the seasons aren't out, I don't see them getting too bitchy about it. It can actually make more people interested in the show.
When the DVD version comes out, (for like shows of Smallville, Family Guy,etc) that's when they start pulling the plug and stopping people from downloading the earlier episodes.
I got that impression from watching anime that you're able to distribute when an North American copyrights aren't gathered. But once an North American company buys the copyright to distribute a particular anime, distribution gets cut.
It technically is illegal to download TV shows. However, if the series hasn't rought out DVDs or VHS copys to be sold, they aren't going to ***** too much about it.
Once the DVD/VHS versions start hitting the shelves of any store, that's when the companies start knocking on doors trying to stop illegal distribution. The whole MP3 issue comes into play, "You're stealing our profits from downloading our material without paying" For new shows like Lost or Desperate Housewives where DVDs of the seasons aren't out, I don't see them getting too bitchy about it. It can actually make more people interested in the show.
When the DVD version comes out, (for like shows of Smallville, Family Guy,etc) that's when they start pulling the plug and stopping people from downloading the earlier episodes.
I got that impression from watching anime that you're able to distribute when an North American copyrights aren't gathered. But once an North American company buys the copyright to distribute a particular anime, distribution gets cut.