The Internet? Who needs it!, says Sony Pictures CEO

At a breakfast panel about the future of filmmaking hosted by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton has said he believes the Internet is a waste of time.

�I�m a guy who doesn�t see anything good having come from the Internet. Period,� was his exact quote.

His rant continued when he stated that the Internet has �created this notion that anyone can have whatever they want at any given time. It�s as if the stores on Madison Avenue were open 24 hours a day. They feel entitled. They say, �Give it to me now,� and if you don�t give it to them for free, they�ll steal it.�

A separate panelist, Nora Ephron, said the Internet had affected print more than the movie business and added �We�re in the last days of copyright, if you want to be grim about it�.Stop it. I dare you.�

Ephron also spoke out about the pay scales of the movie industry, saying: �It�s a giant Ponzi scheme set up to compensate a few people at unbelievable rates. These people live like pashas. You cannot imagine the scale of wealth in Hollywood. People live like that here, but we live in apartments so you can�t see as much.�

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 May 2009 13:01

Advertisement - News comments available below the ad

36 comments

MrXenu

This is the reason Sony is bleeding money, this sorta thought. Seriously I just thought they had made a few silly business decision, but now I truely think they are run by retards.

17.5.2009 13:36 #1

Clownzill

It's sad that a top Sony executive would say this. If he thinks that then he won't be around much longer. The fact is that many of Sony's competitors HAVE embraced the internet and are going to slaughter Sony in the marketplace if Sony keeps seeing the internet as a "worthless technology".

17.5.2009 13:37 #2

boboberg

Michael Lynton is a moron if he can't clearly see how many thousands of uses the internet has, for example buying goods. With the web you are no longer limited to looking at one shelf of goods, you get to see ALL of the goods that exist before making your purchase. Where you used to head to an encyclopedia to find data now you simply go to Google. But he was right about one aspect of the web: we want EVERYTHING and we want it now and for FREE. Goodbye R.I.A.A. because all music and movies are now free. Goodbye to the lifestyles of the rich and famous because now you're gonna be famous but you're not gonna be rich. We refuse to pay royalties. Markl montgomery edited by ddp

17.5.2009 14:02 #3

edcantu9

hey who cares what he has to say. he probably wont be around with that attitude.

A leader of a company has to embrace new technologies and find ways to make this work for their company, ie make money.

17.5.2009 14:51 #4

varnull

$ony .. who needs em?

not the consumers that's for sure XD

Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.
I would rather you hate me for who I am than love me for what I am not.
�It is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday facilitate a police state.� - Bruce Schneier

17.5.2009 15:33 #5

Footie979

Another dinosaur who can't keep up with the times. There's a ton of money to be made from the Internet. He'll be flushed out with his retirement package.

17.5.2009 16:02 #6

bomber991

Quote:Ephron also spoke out about the pay scales of the movie industry, saying: �It�s a giant Ponzi scheme set up to compensate a few people at unbelievable rates. These people live like pashas. You cannot imagine the scale of wealth in Hollywood. People live like that here, but we live in apartments so you can�t see as much.� That's not how a Ponzi scheme works. You give me $10 and I'll give you $20 back in six months. The $10 you made is just from other people giving me $10 to double their money too. That's not how Hollywood works.

17.5.2009 17:03 #7

Hopium

Quote:Quote:Ephron also spoke out about the pay scales of the movie industry, saying: �It�s a giant Ponzi scheme set up to compensate a few people at unbelievable rates. These people live like pashas. You cannot imagine the scale of wealth in Hollywood. People live like that here, but we live in apartments so you can�t see as much.� That's not how a Ponzi scheme works. You give me $10 and I'll give you $20 back in six months. The $10 you made is just from other people giving me $10 to double their money too. That's not how Hollywood works.
lol you cant expect him to know what a Ponzi scheme is since the dumbass cant google it

17.5.2009 18:03 #8

Amak

As soon as I saw the word "Sony", I went and made some popcorn.

The internet is just another resource...companies need to learn how to use it to their advantage. Morons like this are living in the past.

17.5.2009 18:35 #9

edcantu9

hell be joining us in the unemployment lines soon lol

17.5.2009 20:32 #10

ZippyDSM

Quote:�I�m a guy who doesn�t see anything good having come from the Internet. Period,�
More like nothing that can be capitalized on and made a sony exclusive so you can abuse it and try and turn a profit off it.

Quote:�We�re in the last days of copyright, if you want to be grim about it�.Stop it. I dare you.�

I do hope we are in the last days of copy right since its an antiquated and broken trading system but I have this feeling that copy right will change not into profit rights(were profit is focused on and distribution is ignored if it dose not profit) but something like "CloW" pronounced CLAW, "Consumers law of information and media wrangling." some communistic fascist order to bully,regulate and tax the masses over media and information.

17.5.2009 20:59 #11

ak472009

yes retards is the correct word to use for the management os sony

17.5.2009 22:34 #12

DXR88

Retards is an overstatement, there less than retards.

18.5.2009 00:55 #13

kyo28

Originally posted by varnull: $ony .. who needs em?

not the consumers that's for sure XDSpeak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook.

Anyway, the quote was indeed a bit too harsh on the Internet, as the Internet has a lot of useful applications. However, I do agree that the Internet is also being misused by pirates and Blu-ray by far outmatches digital downloads for now as well as in the foreseeable future. In that sense, I can understand the Internet is more harmful than beneficial to Sony for the time being.

As far as copy rights go, I strongly believe these should be maintained. If there were no more copyrights, then it means every intellectual property (a movie, a book, software, etc) can be distributed for free. This also means the creators don't receive any income thus taking away their main drive (don't kid yourselfs, most of the creators of intellectual property do so for the money, as it's their main source of income). Take away copyright and you effectively stiffle the creative process. In that sense, I'm firmly in favor of upholding (fair) copyright laws.

18.5.2009 03:51 #14

ZippyDSM

Quote:Originally posted by varnull: $ony .. who needs em?

not the consumers that's for sure XDSpeak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook.

Anyway, the quote was indeed a bit too harsh on the Internet, as the Internet has a lot of useful applications. However, I do agree that the Internet is also being misused by pirates and Blu-ray by far outmatches digital downloads for now as well as in the foreseeable future.There is some good if sony was no longer here all the others would fill in the void and instead of a WII we'd have a Revolution 2....

18.5.2009 03:54 #15

Bluevoid

fear change.... FEAR IT..... FEAR IT!!!

Not sure what sort of convoluted world this man has created around himself, but in the corporate America I work for fear of change is highly frowned upon. If you were to say something like he did you would lose all credibility and be forced to spend your remaining days in a trash can where everyone can calls you "grouch". Shame on you. Those were the dying words of the loser.

18.5.2009 04:57 #16

varnull

Quote:Speak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook. get a life.. there is a lot more to life than toys and overpriced laptops hahaha.. sorry.. join the ranks of fail... what a loser

18.5.2009 05:03 #17

ZippyDSM

Originally posted by Bluevoid: fear change.... FEAR IT..... FEAR IT!!!

Not sure what sort of convoluted world this man has created around himself, but in the corporate America I work for fear of change is highly frowned upon. If you were to say something like he did you would lose all credibility and be forced to spend your remaining days in a trash can where everyone can calls you "grouch". Shame on you. Those were the dying words of the loser.Pretty much a world of yes men with a slim and dim view on the world, its the people that are able to strive in the new markets that are making headway for the company these old dogs are embittered and defeated because they only know of forced profit from a swollen market they don;t even know how to "swim in the sea"(do business) anymore...

I mean really if copy right was changed to public domain at the end of the day you still would have people making the same stuff only the qaulity or consumer savvy based groups would be making money off the stuff they sale you'd have a leveling and lowering of the top and a expansion of the middle but things would praticaly be the same, people make stuff and people buy it.

Quote:Quote:Speak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook. get a life.. there is a lot more to life than toys and overpriced laptops hahaha.. sorry.. join the ranks of fail... what a loser
So says the meritless underdog who's bark is loud and vicious but whos bite is light and dainty.......

18.5.2009 05:11 #18

kyo28

Quote:Quote:Speak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook. get a life.. there is a lot more to life than toys and overpriced laptops hahaha.. sorry.. join the ranks of fail... what a loserI see only one loser on these forums that needs to get a life, and it's you. Your blind hatred for Sony is really starting to become so over the top that it's becoming a bad joke. You don't like Sony? Fine, don't buy their products then. Nobody's forcing you and I can accept and respect the fact you don't like their products.

You speak of overpriced notebooks? They're not cheap for sure, but show me a brand that sells a notebook with a Blu-ray drive AND offers the kind of after-service care that Sony offers? So far, the only brands that have taken good care of me in aftersales, are Toshiba and Sony.

However, your blind hatred for them as well as generalized comments (speaking for all consumers like you did now) make you look like poorly informed person. If I need to take a wild guess, I'd say you're someone with a low or non-existent income who pirates away and hates Sony for trying to protect their copyright.

Personally, I don't mind them using DRM as it's their right to protect their copyright and as a working consumer (meaning, I earn money), I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.

18.5.2009 06:53 #19

OzMick

18.5.2009 07:11 #20

craftyzan

18.5.2009 08:36 #21

patron

Quote:
Personally, I don't mind them using DRM as it's their right to protect their copyright and as a working consumer (meaning, I earn money), I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.It's because of people like you that DRM still exists. Good for Sony that there are actually sheep out there with the mindset that DRM helps "protect their copyright" it's been proven time and time again, for YEARS that DRM does no such thing, people will still pirate.. DRM only hurts the honest paying consumers. But I guess only people with "low or non existant income" care about those silly trivial things like being able to own what they purchase.

Quote:I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.
You speak as if you own those products. You're just leasing them from Sony even though you've paid for them in full, figure it out.

It's clear that you love and need Sony, and i'm not trying to personally attack you, not at all. Everyone has a right to do what they want with their money. And everyone has a right to free speech.. that is until they slap DRM on words.

18.5.2009 11:46 #22

Amak

Quote:Quote:Quote:Speak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook. get a life.. there is a lot more to life than toys and overpriced laptops hahaha.. sorry.. join the ranks of fail... what a loserI see only one loser on these forums that needs to get a life, and it's you. Your blind hatred for Sony is really starting to become so over the top that it's becoming a bad joke. You don't like Sony? Fine, don't buy their products then. Nobody's forcing you and I can accept and respect the fact you don't like their products.

You speak of overpriced notebooks? They're not cheap for sure, but show me a brand that sells a notebook with a Blu-ray drive AND offers the kind of after-service care that Sony offers? So far, the only brands that have taken good care of me in aftersales, are Toshiba and Sony.

However, your blind hatred for them as well as generalized comments (speaking for all consumers like you did now) make you look like poorly informed person. If I need to take a wild guess, I'd say you're someone with a low or non-existent income who pirates away and hates Sony for trying to protect their copyright.

Personally, I don't mind them using DRM as it's their right to protect their copyright and as a working consumer (meaning, I earn money), I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.

Blind hatred? Look at the crap Sony has pulled...it's amazing they've survived this long.

18.5.2009 17:55 #23

ZippyDSM

Quote:Quote:Quote:Quote:Speak for yourself. Perhaps YOU don't need them, but I do. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to buy certain goods they sell, like my PS3, PSP or Vaio notebook. get a life.. there is a lot more to life than toys and overpriced laptops hahaha.. sorry.. join the ranks of fail... what a loserI see only one loser on these forums that needs to get a life, and it's you. Your blind hatred for Sony is really starting to become so over the top that it's becoming a bad joke. You don't like Sony? Fine, don't buy their products then. Nobody's forcing you and I can accept and respect the fact you don't like their products.

You speak of overpriced notebooks? They're not cheap for sure, but show me a brand that sells a notebook with a Blu-ray drive AND offers the kind of after-service care that Sony offers? So far, the only brands that have taken good care of me in aftersales, are Toshiba and Sony.

However, your blind hatred for them as well as generalized comments (speaking for all consumers like you did now) make you look like poorly informed person. If I need to take a wild guess, I'd say you're someone with a low or non-existent income who pirates away and hates Sony for trying to protect their copyright.

Personally, I don't mind them using DRM as it's their right to protect their copyright and as a working consumer (meaning, I earn money), I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.

Blind hatred? Look at the crap Sony has pulled...it's amazing they've survived this long.If you have a good enough rep you can get a loan and buy your way out of anything.....

18.5.2009 18:10 #24

llongtheD

If corporate america had their way, we'd all be living in little boxes with no windows, and being overcharged for feeder pellets. All the while guys like this "visionary" would be building golf courses, country clubs, and resorts around our little boxes so the super elite could enjoy their hard earned dollars.

18.5.2009 22:33 #25

cart0181

Quote:People live like that here, but we live in apartments so you can�t see as muchwhat was the meaning of this?

19.5.2009 04:09 #26

kyo28

Quote:Quote:
Personally, I don't mind them using DRM as it's their right to protect their copyright and as a working consumer (meaning, I earn money), I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.It's because of people like you that DRM still exists. Good for Sony that there are actually sheep out there with the mindset that DRM helps "protect their copyright" it's been proven time and time again, for YEARS that DRM does no such thing, people will still pirate.. DRM only hurts the honest paying consumers. But I guess only people with "low or non existant income" care about those silly trivial things like being able to own what they purchase.

Quote:I don't mind to pay for my PS3, PSP, games and Blu-rays.
You speak as if you own those products. You're just leasing them from Sony even though you've paid for them in full, figure it out.

It's clear that you love and need Sony, and i'm not trying to personally attack you, not at all. Everyone has a right to do what they want with their money. And everyone has a right to free speech.. that is until they slap DRM on words.I certainly won't put Sony on a pedestal and I agree that in the past, they have made mistakes and aren't flawless (then again, what company/individual is flawless?). However, I also don't see the need to demonize them as some users on this site blindly seem to do.

What I also don't get is how you suggest DRM is harming me or how I'm only 'leasing' products. Let's say I buy a Blu-ray. Said Blu-ray is copy-protected by DRM but that doesn't stop from watching it any time I wish or lending it to a friend if I want to. I don't mind DRM as long as it doesn't hamper my use of the product as intended. One of my Blu's once came with an error on the disc and I got a free replacement from the studio that released it. Also there, I don't see a problem as they took care of the matter in a correct manner.

Perhaps I'm overlooking some aspects but how does DRM stop me from watching the Blu-rays I legally bought, now and in the future?

19.5.2009 04:24 #27

EricCarr

Sony are a bunch of hyprocrites! They try their best to stop their products from being pirated, then on the other hand they sell DVD Burners!!!

19.5.2009 05:29 #28

ilikefree

Originally posted by EricCarr: Sony are a bunch of hyprocrites! They try their best to stop their products from being pirated, then on the other hand they sell DVD Burners!!! I agree they try to stop you from doing a backup copy and then sell you the gear to do it with.This has been going on since twin tape decks came out in the 1960's and none of the big companies were moaning then they were trying to sell you the stuff. Now they want to stop you from using it.We don't need it now and as there is no money in it for them thats why they want it stopped.

shit doesn't just happen there's always an arsehole involved

19.5.2009 08:23 #29

kyo28

Originally posted by EricCarr: Sony are a bunch of hyprocrites! They try their best to stop their products from being pirated, then on the other hand they sell DVD Burners!!!That's an interesting train of thought. So every manufacturer of cars, knives and the likes are accessories to murder, since some of those tools are used to kill people?

Perhaps the thought hasn't crossed your mind but it IS possible to use a DVD burner for legal things, you know. Like: backing up your personal files, taping TV airings for private use, making picture slide shows, etc.

Manufacturers of DVD burners aren't forcing their clients to use them for illegal means, just like manufacturers of knives don't force killers to use them in that way. The end responsibility lies always in the hands of the end-user.

Really, the logic some people on this site use has me baffled at times. Is raping logic a hobby of yours perhaps?

19.5.2009 08:28 #30

blueboy09

Well, i guess i won't be seeing the next big movie cause you banned me from seeing the trailer preview on the INTERNET that you don't want. I well, I guess Warner and Paramount will have something better to watch and spend my movie on!! - BLUEBOY

19.5.2009 08:51 #31

DXR88

Originally posted by llongtheD: If corporate america had their way, we'd all be living in little boxes with no windows, and being overcharged for feeder pellets. All the while guys like this "visionary" would be building golf courses, country clubs, and resorts around our little boxes so the super elite could enjoy their hard earned dollars.they already are we're jobless and there doing just fine, i saw 5 banks go up in a 2 mile radius in tough economical times,there still building private housing for the rich. if 700,000 unemployed American's all bought a gun and started raising hell, Obama might start telling the Truth. No We Cant, because I'm a bought out hypocrite that couldn't even do what was in the interest of the American people if it walked up and shot me in the face.

19.5.2009 14:44 #32

borhan9

All these arguments are not valid in my book. Yes things are easier to get access to free or otherwise but morality of a person is still the same its the persons choice the only aspect that has changed is the meduim that they use to access what they want free or stealing is still the persons choice.

In regards to copyright yes it does make copyright harder however i am sure u can assign some sort of digital signiture time and date to make sure no one alters your work dont forget that the computer creates the time and date for you so you know when it was created and by who. On another point to this copyright factor having it on the net is better in some way for the environment.

Regardless we do need the net.

Thats my 2cents on the matter.

20.5.2009 20:54 #33

wazzat

Death to Sony. DXR88 says everyone should have a gun. A county in the state of Georgia had a law making it mandatory for everyone to own a gun. Why did crime drop? How about Sony Securom? Sony manufactures burners and Booray. Then you buy games and Securom sneaks on your computer. Trash Booray. Time for the next better? technology. We read about it, get it on the market Toshiba! Toshiba is more for the consumers. And Hollywood paying millions to tv stars per episode? movie? What's the purpose of PAYTV? To watch shows with commercials? So the stars can buy bigger/more mansions? We're being RAPED.

25.5.2009 10:53 #34

DXR88

Originally posted by wazzat: Death to Sony. DXR88 says everyone should have a gun. A county in the state of Georgia had a law making it mandatory for everyone to own a gun. Why did crime drop? How about Sony Securom? Sony manufactures burners and Booray. Then you buy games and Securom sneaks on your computer. Trash Booray. Time for the next better? technology. We read about it, get it on the market Toshiba! Toshiba is more for the consumers. And Hollywood paying millions to tv stars per episode? movie? What's the purpose of PAYTV? To watch shows with commercials? So the stars can buy bigger/more mansions? We're being RAPED.
If any format is going to last it will need the backing of a major thinktank (Ex. DVD Consortium) & spending machine(any institute with billion dollar revenues)

of course these two are no easy feat one only has to look at blue-ray and realize this.

25.5.2009 11:19 #35

mamal8de

***I*** am merely laughing because
1) all PC's and more made in the last x-years integrally use a product which began its life as part of a Sony product. Sony "passed" on making them for this purpose back in the 80's because they couldn't see beyond their noses then, either. Now they have to buy these from someone else...often from a company previously owned by a former employee.
2) less than 2 days ago I borrowed a Sony product and discovered that the drivers required to make it fully operational were available almost everywhere on the internet EXCEPT Sony's own site--Sony's original software was fatally broken [per their site] and their replacement software only offered half the original functionality. Oh yeah, this software was ONLY available on the net!

I previously owned a couple of Sony audio products myself, and have a few Sony movies, etc....but corporate deadheads make me LMAOROF every time...until the inconsolable crying begins.

"...better Wake up...pay attention...otherwise you dead cabbage stew!"

8.7.2009 18:47 #36

AfterDawn: News