This has been bugging me for a few months now, but it really has stuck in my craw ever since I stopped interacting with the support forums. Based on recent updates and new features, I’m having a hard time figuring out what’s going on with this software. What’s the end game with Plex. It’s a piece of software that caters to content that is arguably illegal, and at the very least morally questionable, depending on the region it is being used in. User’s libraries are dependent upon a managed portal for remote access, their content is catalogued and organized. Play counts are tracked, as well as device copies and friend shares. Sure we’ve bought memberships to use the software, but with lifetime memberships, that’s not a path to growth. How has this software avoided the scrutiny of studio lawyers, and copywrite enforcement services? Napster didn’t share music, it facilitated it. Nzb search sites don’t host the content, they make it accessible. Plex doesn’t rip the disks, but it sure makes it worth doing. Not really looking for a specific answer, definitely not judging content collectors like myself, just wondering what everyone else thinks about this. Are we just happy to have some nice software to manage our content, or are we at all concerned with getting our hand stuck in the honeypot?
Their end game is to stay in business by making money (Plex Pass income won’t sustain the company). Heck, a buyout is always possible.
Sign me,
Boxee Refugee ;^)
I get your point and also read the article on The Verge, but what you need to keep in mind that anything bought could be used for illegal purposes. GM and Ford products could be used in robberies and drive by’s. Kitchenaide products could also be listed as a company a that supports illegal acts.
The idea is to get all your legally acquired and paid for services and subscriptions all on one app/platform.
Look if they (the media content providers) want to end piracy, then they need to stop asking for the prices that they think they demand. Amazon charges a low price for all their content, chances are no one pirates their content. even if they did, chances are they already have the membership, so is it really piracy? Disney seems to get the idea with the subscription being half of that of Netfix. Disney is probably going to package Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for less than you pay your cable provider.
There can only be one!
Now that should be Plex’s moto!
Sadly I messed up the saying. For shame…
It should’ve been There can be only one
I guess I have to re-watch them again… It’s gonna be a long day, lol.
I thought about mentioning that (HUGE Highlander fan here since the first movie and subsequent series; and the second movie “never happened” crew 
)
I just think that people will transition more and more to streaming content via subscription than buying content. Already, even though I still rip my blu-rays that I purchase, I find myself streaming the digital copy from iTunes rather than Plex. I enjoy having that back up copy, but with iTunes I get a 4K rip with dolby vision and Dolby Atmos, vs my 1080P rips. (don’t yet have a 4K blu-ray reader to rip from). So seems that the need for Plex will diminish more and more, unless it can be the aggregator of all my digitally owned assets.
I agree with you guys
The company seems to be moving toward being a online streaming service rather than a means to view content you acquired legally or not. To reach your personal library seems to bet harder all the time. It’s still there but in the basement like your crazy uncle.
