The Content Protection Retreat Absolutely BLEW Me Away!

[Shap]

I was very hesitant to go. I thought it was going to be like most industry events, a lot of fluff and no substance. That said I can't tell you how happy I am that I decided to go. Without a doubt the most educational and most important event I've ever attended.

As someone who spends a lot of money on content I was embarrassed at how little I knew and how little I was doing to protect my content. The main reason I did so little was because I didn't realize the options and tools that are available to content owners.

The only sad part about the Content Retreat was the demographics. I think 90% of the attendees were gay content owners. It's a shame the straight side isn't doing more.

Thanks again to Allison and the Pink Visual crew for putting this together, inviting me and encouraging me to go. I highly recommend all content owners to find a way to attend a future retreat. It's not about just one company doing something, if each of us start doing something to protect our content we can start making a difference for everyone.

[FlexxAeon]

gay side of the biz has always been more business savvy

by 'more' i mean in proportion

(mostly)

[JustDaveXxx]

Nice review. Thanx for the info.

[Paper_Amar]

What were some of the highlights?

[Paper_Amar]

and what new measures will you be considering?

[CashOnClick]

Gay only content owners / sponsors are light years ahead of straight / mixed content owners and sponsors... In all aspects, affiliate tools, promotion, listening to the members, interaction with the members, giving the members exactly what they want and in what format they want it... To name just a few things... They always seem to go that extra mile to make shit work all-round... Is it because they are more focused ? or is it the gay persons mindset ?

I know there is a few exceptions in the straight niche that do so also, but it is very "few"

[DWB]

They had a 2nd one?

[AsianDivaGirlsWebDude]

Can't wait to see some positive results...

ADG

[bns666]

i hope kink.com people were there too

[Lykos]

Damn,i wish i could go,is there anywhere online to see what was told there?

[sinclair]

Was is videotaped for release (ala TED talks) or are they protecting their content. (OMG I just went there)

Sinclair

[Barefootsies]

Originally Posted by FlexxAeon

gay side of the biz has always been more business savvy

So fucking true fine sire. Open up any monthly edition of XBIZ.

[Grapesoda]

Originally Posted by Shap

I think 90% of the attendees were gay content owners.

did ya have a chance to tkae that walk on the wild side?

[JFK]

Originally Posted by DirtyWhiteBoy

They had a 2nd one?

Yes they did, during the Xbiz LA show, no media no pictures were allowed. It was workshop style, you had to be there for both days, in order to really get the full benefit of it.

[kristin]

Thanks Shap, we were glad you were able to make it and benefit from the knowledge and discussions shared.

Good to talk to you at XBiz, you have mail. (:

[Agent 488]

Originally Posted by CashOnClick

Gay only content owners / sponsors are light years ahead of straight / mixed content owners and sponsors... In all aspects, affiliate tools, promotion, listening to the members, interaction with the members, giving the members exactly what they want and in what format they want it... To name just a few things... They always seem to go that extra mile to make shit work all-round... Is it because they are more focused ? or is it the gay persons mindset ?

I know there is a few exceptions in the straight niche that do so also, but it is very "few"

you have to be kidding. for affiliate tools for most gay programs you are lucky to get a working link code. very hobbyist and cottage industry.

[Redrob]

I expect there will be a third meeting in a few months as the anti-piracy efforts continue to develop new methods, legal positions and goals.

Thank you Allison for all your hard work. Your efforts are appreciated.

[fris]

did brazzers show?

[Paul Markham]

For the vast majority of site fighting piracy is pointless. They all have the same content and if Studio A bothers to fight, Studios B, C & D won't bother and the downloaders will still have a great selection.

For a few sites it makes sense. Because they have something that's unique and if the devotee wants it he has to buy it.

This is without even entering the debate of legal piracy like "User upload" sites. Unless you can sue the uploader in the Philippines.

The cat is out of the bag and it's kittens are having kittens.

[Agent 488]

you are safe from piracy simply because no one wants to download a broken record.

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

For the vast majority of site fighting piracy is pointless. They all have the same content and if Studio A bothers to fight, Studios B, C & D won't bother and the downloaders will still have a great selection.

For a few sites it makes sense. Because they have something that's unique and if the devotee wants it he has to buy it.

This is without even entering the debate of legal piracy like "User upload" sites. Unless you can sue the uploader in the Philippines.

The cat is out of the bag and it's kittens are having kittens.

[Paul Markham]

Originally Posted by Agent 488

you are safe from piracy simply because no one wants to download a broken record.

Is that the best reply you could make?

Maybe I have said it before, but is it right or wrong?

[Shap]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

For the vast majority of site fighting piracy is pointless. They all have the same content and if Studio A bothers to fight, Studios B, C & D won't bother and the downloaders will still have a great selection.

For a few sites it makes sense. Because they have something that's unique and if the devotee wants it he has to buy it.

This is without even entering the debate of legal piracy like "User upload" sites. Unless you can sue the uploader in the Philippines.

The cat is out of the bag and it's kittens are having kittens.

Doing something accomplishes more than doing nothing.

Btw I don't think it's a coincidence one of the companies growing in sales happens to be a company who's brand is well promoted but content hard to find.

[Allison]

Thanks Shap and all the other attendees for their participation and feedback. It's very hard to get across what the event is about because as Shap said there really haven't been any similar events in this industry.

Our position around the Content Protection Retreat is around education, collaboration and options. With knowledge about the problems, our rights as copyright holders, and services that provide solutions, each company can determine the best mix of strategies for their company.

Regarding some of the other comments on piracy in general. Here is my opinion:

Piracy is part of being in the business of producing media, but ignoring it is one of the worst things we can do. Just like department stores have to deal with shop-lifting on an ongoing basis and consider that as part of the business, they put things in place to minimize it from happening in the first place, create ways to catch it when it does happen, and follow through with consequences to those that steal from them. They also upgrade their technology to deal with it and I'm sure they update their policies to reflect their legal rights.

It's that simple. But to continue the department store analogy, each department store is responsible for their own policies, but as more and more department stores create consistent policies, the more they contribute to the overall commercial culture & consumer perception that:

1) Stealing has consequences
2) Gettting the item for free is a hassle
3) Buying the item has value in itself (quality, convenience, risk-free, etc)

I'm sure department stores still have theft going on, but it's reduced to a minimum.

And I dunno, but when a piracy site is ordered to pay $110 Million in damages, like what the MPAA did with TorrentSpy 2 years ago, I would think they made it incredibly inconvenient for them and others probably think twice about opening up similar business models.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/n...es-to-mpaa.ars

People will claim (especially those on the other side like Torrent Freak) that the MPAA and RIAA's efforts aren't working, but I would disagree because the average person does purchase movies and music. In my opinion, it's the adult industry's strategy of doing pretty much nothing that didn't work because it's resulted in the average consumer thinking porn is free. (see user comments on https://youtube.com/watch?v=U114qDMORFM

However, our industry mobilizes fast and we've seen a lot of action and we're seeing a shift in both site-operator and end-user perceptions in a positive way. So I encourage all studios to seek the information about copyright infringement, copyright holders' rights, and anti-piracy services that are catering to the adult industry.

[Agent 488]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

Is that the best reply you could make?

Maybe I have said it before, but is it right or wrong?

the only content you like is corny old styles from the 80s and 90s. you don't get the current tastes of todays porn consumer. and since you don't get it you think all the current problems adult has is because of current content styles.

it's like blaming the decline in cd sales on the fact that music today doesn't sound like benny goodman.

[Mutt]

Originally Posted by Shap

Btw I don't think it's a coincidence one of the companies growing in sales happens to be a company who's brand is well promoted but content hard to find.

initials please! or just name the company - off the top of my head I can't think of a popular paysite that's content is hard to find on forums.

[Agent 488]

Originally Posted by Mutt

initials please! or just name the company - off the top of my head I can't think of a popular paysite that's content is hard to find on forums.

how many full length brazzers videos you see on the tubes?

[Mutt]

Originally Posted by Agent 488

how many full length brazzers videos you see on the tubes?

tube shmubes - Hotfile, Filesonic, Fileserve, Rapidshare's servers are filled with Brazzers content.

file sharing sites are worse than tubes - i get a shitty Flash video on a tube site, file sharing sites I get the same file a paying member gets.

especially solo girl site niche because photo content is still very popular.

[RycEric]

Originally Posted by fris

did brazzers show?

From a pornhub poster

Pornhub deleted his account, but moved all the videos we didn't DMCA to
their anonymous account.

http://www.pornhub.com/users/WasHereBefore (his new profile)

Hi,
My account has been removed as you can see by Pornhub. The videos that I have upload are still here but with the account 'Anonymous'. You have to be friends with this Robot Account to watch the private videos that was on my profile before. That's what happen with your videos when you delete your profile or when you got delete by Pornhub

http://www.pornhub.com/users/anonymous - Full of "attendee" content

FYI - It was US who had this guy's account canned. Props to Nate, with takedownpiracy.com, for giving the us the information.. therefore allowing us to forward to media.

[FlexxAeon]

Originally Posted by Allison

...Just like department stores have to deal with shop-lifting on an ongoing basis and consider that as part of the business...

yep it's called Loss Prevention and it's a big part of all their businesses.

Originally Posted by Agent 488

it's like blaming the decline in cd sales on the fact that music today doesn't sound like benny goodman.

ok THAT was funny

[Paul Markham]

Originally Posted by Shap

Doing something accomplishes more than doing nothing.

Btw I don't think it's a coincidence one of the companies growing in sales happens to be a company who's brand is well promoted but content hard to find.

Agreed, doing something is better than doing nothing.

But what will it cost to protect content that's no different from content on dozens of other sites?

Would it be cheaper and better to sell to produce content that isn't duplicated on site after site. Or content that has little innovation, imagination or even skill to produce?

The EASIEST thing today is to put up a website, even I can do it LOL. The next easiest thing to do is to point a camera at a girl/guy. Then design is next and the hardest thing to do is market a site that's got loads of content with little going for it.

So the industry spends the most time and money on doing the marketing. When it comes to innovation, imagination and skill it's all there in the marketing.

Protecting your content against pirates will cost money. The ROI will be small if the content isn't worth protecting.

[RycEric]

FYI - There is a reason we are not involved with this effort and I am not going to get into why on this board. It has nothing to do with the participants in any way. In fact, I wish we could've been there. Due diligence and inside information is all I am going to say.

[Agent 488]

Originally Posted by Mutt

tube shmubes - Hotfile, Filesonic, Fileserve, Rapidshare's servers are filled with Brazzers content.

file sharing sites are worse than tubes - i get a shitty Flash video on a tube site, file sharing sites I get the same file a paying member gets.

especially solo girl site niche because photo content is still very popular.

yeah i figured that out the moment i posted and reread you post. you're right.

[Paul Markham]

Originally Posted by Agent 488

the only content you like is corny old styles from the 80s and 90s. you don't get the current tastes of todays porn consumer. and since you don't get it you think all the current problems adult has is because of current content styles.

it's like blaming the decline in cd sales on the fact that music today doesn't sound like benny goodman.

The current style is to pay little, for the most quantity and anyone can shoot porn.

If you have porn that's good an individual you can protect it from pirates. If it's a clone of everyone else's porn there's little point. The user will watch someone else.

It's like if every band sounded like every other band.

But I see that's too complicated for you grasp.

[RycEric]

Originally Posted by Agent 488

yeah i figured that out the moment i posted and reread you post. you're right.

Here some more information. One of the companies, in attendance there, who essentially ripped me off in concept and pricing (not uncommon these days) claims to remove from thepiratebay. I have some dated ICQ logs with this proof. They also represent several other companies, by default,who have been ripping off our own clients for years. Another individual, who is involved with one of partners of this group, is also ripping off another client. In fact, I just got off the phone with them (regarding theft) two days before going to Xbiz to meet some folks. No fucking way am I going to partner with them.. and when I say "them".. again.. I am not referring to any of the studios involved.

[Vanilla DeVille]

Originally Posted by Shap

I was very hesitant to go. I thought it was going to be like most industry events, a lot of fluff and no substance. That said I can't tell you how happy I am that I decided to go. Without a doubt the most educational and most important event I've ever attended.

As someone who spends a lot of money on content I was embarrassed at how little I knew and how little I was doing to protect my content. The main reason I did so little was because I didn't realize the options and tools that are available to content owners.

The only sad part about the Content Retreat was the demographics. I think 90% of the attendees were gay content owners. It's a shame the straight side isn't doing more.

Thanks again to Allison and the Pink Visual crew for putting this together, inviting me and encouraging me to go. I highly recommend all content owners to find a way to attend a future retreat. It's not about just one company doing something, if each of us start doing something to protect our content we can start making a difference for everyone.

Hey Shap, it was great to see you in LA.

Stewie and I went to the first CPR last year, and I completely agree with your comments. It was the most informative and productive industry event we have ever attended. Allison and her team did an amazing job creating a non-biased, open atmosphere that was truly educational and encouraged the sharing of ideas. Plus, this wasn?t just for the big studios? There was a ton of useful information and strategies for programs of any size. The only difference I can see, based on your comments, is that we had more straight companies at the first one. If they announce plans for a CPR3, and you?re a site or program owner that missed the first two, I would highly recommend that you sign up.

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

Agreed, doing something is better than doing nothing.

The next easiest thing to do is to point a camera at a girl/guy.

I'm sure that any porn made with that attitude in mind will come out top notch.

[signupdamnit]

Originally Posted by RycEric

From a pornhub poster

Pornhub deleted his account, but moved all the videos we didn't DMCA to
their anonymous account.

http://www.pornhub.com/users/WasHereBefore (his new profile)

Hi,
My account has been removed as you can see by Pornhub. The videos that I have upload are still here but with the account 'Anonymous'. You have to be friends with this Robot Account to watch the private videos that was on my profile before. That's what happen with your videos when you delete your profile or when you got delete by Pornhub

http://www.pornhub.com/users/anonymous - Full of "attendee" content

FYI - It was US who had this guy's account canned. Props to Nate, with takedownpiracy.com, for giving the us the information.. therefore allowing us to forward to media.

Imagine if the studios caught Youtube doing something like this in 2011. It would almost certainly provoke a lawsuit. BTW, each time I see something incriminating posted here or where a link was provided I have made an effort to take a screen shot of it and have it on file. I hope you guys are doing the same if not something better such as having it notarized. It may come in handy one day.

[blackmonsters]

Originally Posted by CashOnClick

Gay only content owners / sponsors are light years ahead of straight / mixed content owners and sponsors... In all aspects, affiliate tools, promotion, listening to the members, interaction with the members, giving the members exactly what they want and in what format they want it... To name just a few things... They always seem to go that extra mile to make shit work all-round... Is it because they are more focused ? or is it the gay persons mindset ?

I know there is a few exceptions in the straight niche that do so also, but it is very "few"

Or maybe having a smaller share of the buying/affiliate demographic simply requires more
work and they can't just "wing it" like non-gay.


But people would have to stop trying to attribute someone's work ethic to
their sexual orientation in order to make such simple and obvious deductions as
I have.

[RycEric]

Originally Posted by signupdamnit

Imagine if the studios caught Youtube doing something like this in 2011. It would almost certainly provoke a lawsuit. BTW, each time I see something incriminating posted here or where a link was provided I have made an effort to take a screen shot of it and have it on file. I hope you guys are doing the same if not something better such as having it notarized. It may come in handy one day.

There's SO MUCH MORE going on, behind the scenes, that obviously won't be presented at ant public seminar. Trust me.. those that need to know do... at least on this end.

[Allison]

Originally Posted by RycEric

Here some more information. One of the companies, in attendance there, who essentially ripped me off in concept and pricing (not uncommon these days) claims to remove from thepiratebay. I have some dated ICQ logs with this proof. They also represent several other companies, by default,who have been ripping off our own clients for years. Another individual, who is involved with one of partners of this group, is also ripping off another client. In fact, I just got off the phone with them (regarding theft) two days before going to Xbiz to meet some folks. No fucking way am I going to partner with them.. and when I say "them".. again.. I am not referring to any of the studios involved.

Vendors at the Content Protection Retreat have the option to showcase their services via quick introductions and meet with potential clients independently. The Content Protection Retreat does not revolve around promoting specific vendors or law firms, but we do have a no drama policy so we require all attendees, panelists, and vendors to act professionally with each other. Any anti-piracy service that meets those expectations could register to attend.

From a studio and client perspective, drama amongst anti-piracy service providers is counter-intuitive to moving the industry in a more positive direction. Actually, the more competition that exists for anti-piracy services catering to adult the better. In my opinion, increased competition in that area contributes to having additional options, services being forced to improve their services to remain competitive, and it drives rates down. The behind the scenes drama is frustrating for any business (we all deal with it), but it doesn't matter too much to a client who will primarily be focused around the results and the quality of service.

[RycEric]

Originally Posted by Allison

Vendors at the Content Protection Retreat have the option to showcase their services via quick introductions and meet with potential clients independently. The Content Protection Retreat does not revolve around promoting specific vendors or law firms, but we do have a no drama policy so we require all attendees, panelists, and vendors to act professionally with each other. Any anti-piracy service that meets those expectations could register to attend.

From a studio and client perspective, drama amongst anti-piracy service providers is counter-intuitive to moving the industry in a more positive direction. Actually, the more competition that exists for anti-piracy services catering to adult the better. In my opinion, increased competition in that area contributes to having additional options, services being forced to improve their services to remain competitive, and it drives rates down. The behind the scenes drama is frustrating for any business (we all deal with it), but it doesn't matter too much to a client who will primarily be focused around the results and the quality of service.

We have a zero tolerance policy, when dealing with content theft, and will not do any business with folks involved in it.

[Blazing]

I was also in attendance of the CPR. Definitely worth my time to attend this valuable two days of extremely informative panels, discussions, networking luncheons, and a gathering of professionals in and outside of our industry who are all committed to fight the rampant piracy issues that continue to effect our businesses.

Thank you Allison and the Pink Visual team for putting on a well organized and worthwhile event. I look forward to the continuation and growth of this group for the fight against piracy and copyright infringements.

[Barefootsies]

Originally Posted by RycEric

There's SO MUCH MORE going on, behind the scenes, that obviously won't be presented at ant public seminar. Trust me.. those that need to know do... at least on this end.

True dat champ.

If people take message board banter seriously, and honestly believe this industry is made up of some sort of clear cut, good and bad guys, with the hero in the white hat they would be mistaken.

The 'rabbit holes' of online, whether mainstream or porn, go much deeper than most know. Including who are the real money men behind some of these companies, and BROgrams.

[DominicFord]

It was awesome meeting you, Shap! I thought the CPR was amazing, too. So much great discussions on both strategic and practical levels. See you in Phoenix?

[DWB]

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

For the vast majority of site fighting piracy is pointless. They all have the same content and if Studio A bothers to fight, Studios B, C & D won't bother and the downloaders will still have a great selection.

For a few sites it makes sense. Because they have something that's unique and if the devotee wants it he has to buy it.

I agree with that when it comes to the plethora of generic porn out there. Replace Whore X getting fucked on the couch with Studio A, with the same Whore X getting fucked on a different couch from Studio B. Studio A is not gong to benefit much unless Studios B, C, D, E, F and G also step up to the plate. But you can bet whatever protection group is catering to those studios won't explain that to any of them.

Originally Posted by Allison

Just like department stores have to deal with shop-lifting on an ongoing basis and consider that as part of the business...

Almost.

With a department store, no one is standing outside the department store with the item they just stole, giving it away for free to someone who is walking in about to buy that same item.

[DWB]

Originally Posted by RycEric

From a pornhub poster

Pornhub deleted his account, but moved all the videos we didn't DMCA to
their anonymous account.

http://www.pornhub.com/users/WasHereBefore (his new profile)

Hi,
My account has been removed as you can see by Pornhub. The videos that I have upload are still here but with the account 'Anonymous'. You have to be friends with this Robot Account to watch the private videos that was on my profile before. That's what happen with your videos when you delete your profile or when you got delete by Pornhub

http://www.pornhub.com/users/anonymous - Full of "attendee" content

FYI - It was US who had this guy's account canned. Props to Nate, with takedownpiracy.com, for giving the us the information.. therefore allowing us to forward to media.

Holy crap...

People have watched anonymous videos: 911238160 times




Imagine... how many sales that one account alone may have resulted in if none of these sites never existed.

[Robbie]

The only person in this post who knows what he's talking about in this thread is Eric at Remove Your Content.
And sadly, that is the reason that I did not attend the Content Protection Retreat (poor choice of words "retreat")

The people who have actually done something against piracy aren't at the CPR (again poor choice of initials lol) And as Eric pointed out...his company has a ZERO tolerance of thieves. The CPR on the other hand didn't want any "drama"

So to avoid "drama" (millions of dollars in lost sales to the industry), you simply don't have the best expert on this in our industry attend the events? Okay.

Glad to see Shap working to protect his content. I'm looking forward to making sales with Twisty's again. And I hope now that with Shap doing so...that others will finally start to do it too. Hurry up guys! You're two years behind me.

[TheDoc]

Originally Posted by Robbie

The only person in this post who knows what he's talking about in this thread is Eric at Remove Your Content.
And sadly, that is the reason that I did not attend the Content Protection Retreat (poor choice of words "retreat")

The people who have actually done something against piracy aren't at the CPR (again poor choice of initials lol) And as Eric pointed out...his company has a ZERO tolerance of thieves. The CPR on the other hand didn't want any "drama"

So to avoid "drama" (millions of dollars in lost sales to the industry), you simply don't have the best expert on this in our industry attend the events? Okay.

Glad to see Shap working to protect his content. I'm looking forward to making sales with Twisty's again. And I hope now that with Shap doing so...that others will finally start to do it too. Hurry up guys! You're two years behind me.

That's bullshit... and your loss Robbie.

[Robbie]

Originally Posted by TheDoc

That's bullshit... and your loss Robbie.

I didn't lose anything. I would love to go to and learn something. But having some knowledge of what is going on with piracy, and knowing that people who have actually been doing something about it while a lot of bigger companies lived off of their rebills hoping for it to go away...I just don't know.

I'm not saying that it wasn't a good experience for the people like Shap who are realizing now that they need to do something. It was a great thing for him to do. And it will pay off for him.

But what was I going to learn? In my opinion...the CPR is the one who "lost" by not having Eric there. He has done more in the real world over the last two years than every "expert" they had put together.

And if I may say...in my own humble way...not having me there is a "loss" for the folks attending as well. I shouted from the rooftops that you CAN protect your content for the last two years. Shap himself told me right here on GFY that he thought I was making a mistake because I was "treating my members like criminals"

Bottom line is...if you don't have the most effective company at the show (Remove Your Content), and your experts are a lot of companies who started up over the last year just to try and cash in on piracy...then how can I "learn" anything from them?

Eric has a story to tell. And in my own little way, so do I. But I can't blame him one bit for not wanting to share a podium with posers and johnny-come-lately's

And I'm not attacking Pink Visual, so calm down. I applaud them for finally opening their eyes.

I'm just stating what I see as the facts. Nobody did a damn thing for a long time. But I did for myself. And Eric did for this industry. And now...he isn't at the CPR?

He should be THE main speaker. But that's just one little guys humble opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

[Matyko]

Ultimate Respect to CPR!!!