Here’s the entire email sent out to everyone on the Knocking director’s subscription list:
Is the WTS trying a new tactic here , kind of like an NGO in a foreign country can be used as a front for fringe groups to further their propaganda and recruit young people, the destitute and the poor, as well as gain public sympathy (think Al Jezeera)?
It's a media outlet the WTS would have access to, and covertly at that.
Also notice the director uses WTS-like words/views to describe a world full of “trashy commercial media”.
Of course, the WTS will never claim an affiliation to this film/director, just as it quickly ended its agreement with the “unclean” UN, especially since the director is gay.
The WTS was very quick to get word out when Dateline was airing the pedophilia story, having elders warn the sheep not to watch such “lies” from the media.
No such warning here…
Is this good use of donated Public Broadcasting funds?
So here it is:
From: Knocking Director
Date: 6/18/2007 1:24:58 PM
Subject: [Knocking] Copyright Announcement
KNOCKING update
IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT NOTE
Please note that the KNOCKING DVD is copyright protected and it is unlawful
to make copies of the DVD, even if you are making copies for friends/family
and have no intention of selling the copies.
There are reports that a number of people have been making copies of the
DVD, under the assumption that it is OK for "educational purposes" or to
give as gifts to friends and family. This is an abuse of the KNOCKING
copyright. It is the same as stealing.
WHAT IS THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF MAKING ILLEGAL COPIES?
1. The quality of the product is cheapened. All the dedicated and careful
work producers put into KNOCKING is disrespected, especially when illegal
copies ruin the graphic design elements and omit important extra features
that are integral to the viewing experience.
2. The livelihood of independent filmmakers is jeopardized. The ability to
make quality independent film in a world of trashy commerical media is
already difficult, as mainstream media sees little profit incentive to
provide thoughtful programming. When the modest livelihood of public
television filmmakers is further limited by the illegal pirating of their
product, it decreases their opportunity to make future quality programs.
3. The future of non-commerical public television is jeopardized. A large
part of the funding for KNOCKING came from public broadcasting grants, and a
large percentage of the profits from DVD sales goes back to the Corporation
for Public Broadcasting so it can keep funding more projects. A film like
KNOCKING has no chance to be shown on a commerical network like ABC, CBS or
NBC. If not for PBS, there would be no place for a film like KNOCKING.
WHAT IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A DVD?
-- The producers of KNOCKING have made the film available for free viewing
in a number of ways: a national PBS broadcast, free theater screenings in 30
cities, and free authorized video trailers and samples on YouTube and AOL on
the internet.
-- You can contact you local PBS affiliate station to request a
re-broadcast.
-- There is a 15% discount in the price of the DVD for orders of 3 or more.
Go in with friends to save. Order link here:
http://www.knocking.org/dvd_home_edition.lasso
-- We enourage people who already have the DVD to invite friends over to
watch KNOCKING in groups. This way, those who cannot afford the DVD will
have an opportunity to watch. We also encourage you to loan your DVD to
friends, just don't make illegal copies.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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