ABC sends cease and desist to python-iview (iView downloader) author
jeremy.visser.name/2009/08/python-iview/Posted Sep 18, 2012, 11:44 PM UTC
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jeremy.visser.name
So they should. The ignorance of the posters on that link is staggering and shows a very concerning lack of understanding about the ABC and the fact they very likely have contractual requirements about what they can do with their shows: there's a reason they don't allow you download and watch at your leisure, and it's not because they a) don't have the technology or b) simply don't want you to because they hate you or something!
Don't ruin a great service for the rest of us, if it doesn't work for you there's a million other things you could use and they're quicker, easier and better quality.
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Is your last sentence endorsing piracy?
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Not endorsing or advocating it; just pointing out that if you're trying to stretch and bend a legal method of watching TV into doing things that don't fit within its parameters, why aren't you just going the piracy route in the first place anyway? I can see the argument of 'supporting the service' but it's misguided. We can generally all agree in 2012 that unlocked content-on-demand is what consumers want; but we don't have it just yet and have to deal with that reality. Altering iView into something it was not intended to do just because it's got some level of legality to it is not the way go about covering that want.
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I use python-iview to get away from Flash. To my mind, it's format-shifting, which is definitely legal.
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You're altering the delivery system, though - you don't decide what format you want to watch in, it's not negotiable. It's very clearly against the terms of use. I get where you're coming from, and I'm sure there's a lot of people in the same boat, but it's straightforward.
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Some of my users have the right idea, others don't. Most do, fortunately.
One particular idiot forwarded me an e-mail he had sent to the ABC openly stating that he keeps shows longer than their expiration and doesn't give a stuff about whether it's illegal.
The pirate mentality is not helping the cause.
Up until now, I thought (and in fact, still am of the opinion) that Python-iView is completely legal -- not unlike using a PVR to record the show. Or like jailbreaking, which is also completely legal.
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Then those contracts need to change, if they don't I'll simply bypass the restrictions because I can.
I have zero respect for IP law at all.
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That sucks, it was only a matter of time though. I hope the ABC eventually moves away from Flash, it would eliminate a lot of the need for things like python-iview.
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I use python-iview.
I use it because I use Linux and because I've found that watching iview via Firefox full-paged is not a good experience.
I download the files as .flv files and watch them on VLC.
I then delete them because I don't want to clog up my hard drive with stuff.
As far as I am concerned, It's the same as popping in a videotape and recording a program that I will watch later. That's what we did in the 80s and 90s.
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I agree that it's the same principle. I also think that there is no real difference between a mate overseas sending me what they recorded (as used to happen with tapes) and me getting that same program via torrent (or the producing website/youtube channel). I also used to lend these tapes as well, or just wipe them.
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This'll be a result of its agreements to stream shows on iView shortly after they are broadcast overseas (eg Dr Who). You can't stop proliferation (Streisand effect takes care of that) but you have to make an honest effort where you can.
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Yep, I have no doubt Doctor Who had something to do with it.
Also the Paralympics aired even closer to the takedown date, which was available on iview. Coincidence? I think not.
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Here is a copy of the latest version of Python-iview : http://bayfiles.com/file/lX3J/XDysHC/akent-python-iview-acf37f8.zip
I'd never heard of it until today, silly ABC.
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Shame.
My kids (try to) use iView on the PS3... rarely with success. Flash sucks on the PS3. Actually, Flash sucks pretty much everywhere.
While I haven't used the python downloader, there are others out there, and they still work.
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Is there not an app for the PS3? There's one for the Xbox and it's great.
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Yes, it uses the standard PS3 browser. And it sucks.
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Really? I haven't had any dramas with it. I find the SBS one is a little more clunky and the Seven one pretty much unusable (not that there's much decent content there anyways).
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I've found that I can only watch about two or three hours of content on it before something goes wrong and it locks up the PS3. It's not that much of a problem but it's a pain when I'm doing a small marathon catch up.
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I've had no problems with the ABC iView. It needs a bit of an overhaul to make it a bit more atheistically pleasing, but besides I can watch/stream programs without a hitch.
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I'm hoping they get the Android port out soon.
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Flash sucks on the PS3. Actually, Flash sucks pretty much everywhere.
iView is currently being rewritten by the programming team for HTML5.
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Which will never eventuate. The "problem" (from their perspective) with HTML5 is that there is no DRM. Here is JavaScript-iView (licensed under the GPLv3) for the as-yet-unreleased HTML5-iview:
alert("download this, yo: " + document.getElementsByTagName("video")[0].src);
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What irony. I hadn't even heard of python-iview until I saw this, and now I'm using it to download the new Doctor Who. Nice work, ABC.
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ABC is pretty much contractually obligated to try to stop this stuff. They're only paying for temporary license to stream, so people permanently downloading it are getting ABC in trouble.
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Somewhat disappointing. I actually decided to start watching Dr Who on iView this season round, but if they do the same thing to the XBMC addon which I use to view iView content, I'll once again be cut off from viewing content on my actual TV without hassling with trying to get my laptop to talk to my TV (not to mention the loss of my laptop while watching TV).
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I am really happy about how they're delivering this season of Doctor Who. This year they are releasing the show on iView as soon as it's available, that's Sunday mornings in Australia. Then they show the program the following Saturday on ABC1. Previously we have had to wait a week to legitimately watch the show.
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Yeah I'm still not sold on the "regular TV doesn't get it till almost a week later" thing, but I guess it's a sensible decision. Those who are happy to wait will wait anyway, and those who won't wait will already have watched it on iView.
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There's an add-on for XBMC? Thanks!
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Wish the ABC would make official code for an xbmc plugin. I've suggested it to them numerous times as well.
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The unofficial one does work pretty well for me, I'm yet to have any issues.
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Yes, but it is based on Python-iView, and is subject to the same legal problems.
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Actually, the XBMC addon (unless I'm mistaken) does not specifically allow people to download shows. It does still have the trademark issue, and the "DRM avoiding" issue though, so I'll just see where it goes. Personally, if the ABC forces the XBMC addon away though, I'll go back to not using iView.
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I guess there are a variety of opinions. Only sure-fire way is to test in court. One opinion in the context of the above XBMC plugin is:
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If you can't beat them intimidate them, only it never works with open sourced software because somebody in another jurisdiction will pick up the code and maintain it.
I can't see how they don't have a problem with all the DTV units with hard-disk recording but they are prepared to actively intimidate this guy even though it is probably futile. Nothing but bad PR in that stunt.
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I find it hard to believe the ABC wasn't aware of this until now. As others have said, I think recent developments meant the ABC has to look like it is doing something.
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I am sure they could have found a more positive and creative way of encouraging the author to not maintain the software without risking PR damage by seeming to be intimidating.
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[deleted]
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It has noting to do with if you can use python-iview, what part of "open source and other jurisdiction" did you not get?
It is just pointless intimidation, particularly when seen in the context of many other letters of a similar type that have been used against people in recent years. Most of those also generated a lot of bad PR.
What a waste of money paying a lawyer to write that up, they could have just offered Jeremy a contract to help them improve the product if he also quietly let his software bit-rot away. Stupid lawyers, always looking for a fight to compensate for their limp dicks, when there is usually a more mutually beneficial solution available.
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I wonder if the option for ABC to say "remove the ability to download, make it stream-only" is even possible for the software. I ask because I've worked on similar plugins for XBMC, and I have gotten requests from the producers stating "Hey, don't mind what you're doing, but remove the option to download our streams please". I've happily done so, as well.
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Whelp, back to torrents.
And if that's no longer viable, back to tried and true usenet.
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It's still freely available on Github.
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Amazing that the ABC do something great for us folk yet there's a way of ruining it.
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I don't think it's ruining it at all.
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mfw the lawyer's surname was Storer
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Does everyone realize that when you view a streamed video, that data resides on your local machine?
Why are there so many people in this thread talking about downloading videos? You are downloading, whether you're streaming or the like.
Secondly, I'm a shareholder of the ABC - so is every Australian citizen. If I want to convert that video to a media type compatible with my machine, I can do as I like.
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[deleted]
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I'm sorry to inform you of this, but you're absolutely 100% incorrect.
Absolutely the streamed data chunks must be stored in your local memory, cache on windows, mac and linux, and RAM or virtual ram for virtual servers.
Might I suggest in your ignorance that you actually take the time to research your statements.
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[deleted]
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Hmmm you might want to do something about accepting when you're wrong, and moving on.
Downvoting and calling troll really doesn't seam productive does it.
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That has to be one of the most gentle legalese letters I have ever read.
Isn't it just? A really good letter and well thought out to avoid annoying the offender, I'd say.
I was thinking the same thing, so polite, civil and kind. So unlike what you'd expect for something like this, good guy ABC employs good guy Lawyers :P
I've written nicer. At first instance, the client usually wants us to strike a balance between encouraging use of their services and not breaching their rights. This is because most people dont full understand their rights.
After this, however, things spiral downhill quickly. If it becomes clear that you are dealing with a moron who thinks they are entitled to breach your clients' rights, then its quicker and simpler to run them through the courts.