http://black-march.com/

Not a bad idea. I'm curious how many will actually go thought with it. I'm tempted.
What do you all think? How many of you will put off purchasing ME3 (if you were thinking of getting it obviously) ? :)

It's a good idea in principle. The only way to make the media industry reconsider their current strategy (which is "maximizing control and punishment") is to make them see that this strategy hurts their wallets. So far, the protests hit the politicians rather than he industry. That's not bad (since the politicians are obviously an important part of that strategy), but it won't be enough.

It won't really hurt the industry though if they have a little less revenue in March and then a spike in April.

I think It would be better if that Black March was used to promote media that uses a different approach instead, like indie artists who sell their work through their webpages, without any control mechanisms attached, or to promote other activities that may be even more fun than watching a movie (board-game evening, etc.). This would make more people realize that they don't really _need_ the media industry and their products, because there are alternatives, and these alternatives will be available long after Black March. And this could actually concern the media industry, since it would mean that people are leaving their market segment and starting to continually spend their money elsewhere.

'Do not download a single song, legally or illegally'

*sarcasm* I'm sure that it's going to hurt and hit the industry massively if nobody pirates their products for a month *end of sarcasm*
Not to mention that the call to arms should be against those that promote and not against those that help to fight similar laws. I doubt that I could prevent SOPA if I opt out of purchasing a GOG gift in March, just as an example.

Yes, but any activism needs traction. Traction can only be achieved by making the rules as simple as possible and hoping the thing will catch on through viral spread. Making a list of do's and dont's effectively kills traction, since now you've put logistics in it, and cohesion breaks down rather quickly. Remember "KISS" - keep is simple stupid

Anyway, I guess I can wait a month at the end of february. I wonder if it will catch on. Because if it does, I can suspect many governments and firms going into apocalypse mode. Wiki about where we got the boycott word from ;)

That would be rather difficult. Many "oppose" this types of laws in declarations, but actually support organizations who fight for this laws to be passed.
Look at the music industry. Producers can say whatever they want, as long as they fund RIAA then it's just PR bullshit. Same with movie producers and MPAA. Same with game publishers and ESA.
Basically all this organizations get payed to further the interests of their supporters without drawing public reproach on those supporters.

How many game publishers have announced they plan to remove support from ESA and boycott E3? It's all about putting your money where your mouth is. And in this case their money sits very well behind SOPA/PIPA/ACTA while their mouth is saying they are against it.

If you find a publisher/developer that is verifiably against these shitty laws, then by all means, give them your money.

Is it allowed to buy on GOG on Black March?

I find it ridiculous.

Why? Because most people calling for this on social networks are doing it "to protest the unilateral closure of megaupload", an idea that's retarded because:

1) Everytime the FBI closes anything it is unilateral. They won't negotiate with people who are breaking laws.
2) Most of the people I see promoting this are people who don't even buy legal stuff anyway. So... Pirates aren't gonna buy anything in march? It's not like they buy anything the rest of the year anyway. Even better, if they don't even download stuff illegally, that's kind of a win for the record companies and Hollywood.

All in all, it is a very poorly thought of protest. Not to mention that in order to make so much of a dent in the business way too many people would have to follow through and find a way to show that was the reason why they did it. If nobody bought a game released on March, generally the companies would think it's due to low interest in it, not due to some weird kind of protest.

I have totally sworn off both Music and Video - If I want to listen to something or watch something I get it from the library for free (my tax dollars at work after all) I am done filling my shelves with anything other than PC Games (and the occasional console / handheld game). So I guess I am in by default.