2012年6月27日 星期三

龍應台,台灣的文創生機來了,看清楚!蘋果影音商店台灣版開張了!

黑暗騎士(2008)已經可以在iTunes上以60元租到HD,有中文字幕的影片了(按圖去看看)

「蘋果公司」忽然在今天推出了台灣版的影音商店,來自《鉅亨網》的消息:


就在 iTunes Store 改成台幣計價後,現在又多了一件讓台灣消費者振奮的事情啦!蘋果突然無預警地在這幾天推出台灣版的 iTunes 音樂商店,消費者不僅可在裡面購買、租賃影片,還能購買音樂下載!

因為一切才剛開放,目前的台灣 iTunes Store 檔案還未完全齊備,許多在美國商店上架內容也不一定能完全買到,目前已經有歐美、中文、日韓音樂等,從五月天、張惠妹、周杰倫,到歐美的 LINKIN PARK、Coldplay 以及日本的 GReeeeN、Bonnie Pink 等。價格約單曲 30 元,EP 60 元、專輯 200 元左右。

看到這則消息,真是無限感概。2006年蘇貞昌任行政院長,非常重視我在文化創意方面的建言,有一回請時任新聞局長的鄭文燦和我三人坐下來談興革的政策長達一個半鐘頭,當時我就建議蘇揆請局長派人和「蘋果公司」談談看,是不是有可能開個如今天大家看到的這個台灣版的蘋果商店。

台灣的文化創意不缺內容,且人才甚多,缺的是平台,假如能跳過被財團壟斷的發行系統,直接到達消費者的手中,那麼內容創作者便可以更專心在內容的創作上,製作出更好的作品來。現在這個台灣版的影音商店,已經可以讓五月天、張惠妹、周杰倫、伍佰等歌手,將他們的音樂一塊塊的或一首首的賣,將來自然不管是電視影集、電視頻道、電影、動畫等等文創商品,創作者都可以跳開現有的傳統發行系統,直接到達消費者的手中,並且收取報酬,這就是台灣文創的生機了!

當然,人們會說,盗版仍然猖獗,大多數人還是不願意付費的,這種說法,是一種迷思。首先,那是不同的消費層級,大部份人仍願意對優質的內容,付出合理的報償;其次,當影音出版品等文創產品的價格已經低到盜版所要付出的成本,盜版就沒有意義了,其次,「蘋果公司」創作了一種三贏的經營模式,創作者、平台和消費者皆受益,一部「黑暗騎士」可以新台幣60元的價格租到HD的影片,周杰倫的一首歌只賣你20元,那麼為省下60元、20元而去作盗版的意義不知何在?

2006年我提出構想時,雖然是異想天開,但到2012年的短短六年之間,智慧型手機、平板電腦日益普及,而構想也終於來臨了!這更意謂著「蘋果公司」即將推出的iTV,已經備妥了全球內容創作者的平台,任何人今後將可以自製一首歌、一部微電影、一段優質影片、一部動畫上iTunes去發行,全球銷售,取得報酬了!

當然,我還是太樂觀,眼前仍有許多條件要考量:

其一、這要看智慧型手機、平板電腦和智慧型電視的普及和國家頻寬的建設,因此時間上還要等個兩、三年吧?

其二、現在是只有iTunes上有,適用於不管是Mac OS或微軟的DOS電腦,那麼其他的智慧型裝置,如使用Android系統,有待Google加把勁,儘速研發出來。

這點必須附加說明,由於前一陣子,天龍國台北城的郝呆市長要求Google在Android系統上的Apps平台(現在叫Google Play)必須要有賞味期,可以在一周內退費,Google不從,北市開罰,此舉惹惱了Google,將Android的收費系統封閉,所以未來Google就算也提供了類似的平台,在Android系統的裝置上,台灣人仍然買不到文創商品,政策之愚蠢,莫此為甚。

其三、目前要創作者要自行上傳內容到iTnes上仍有許多限制(如附件),比如最好要和整合商合作,或者至少必須有美國稅務ID,這些就得靠政府文化部門的協助,而且不是賴聲川那種要花2.15億的「夢想家」費用,只消做媒合的工作,就能做出政績來,新任文化部長龍應台可不以認識「五月天」,但不可以不認識能幫「五月天」賺錢的iTunes,當然,龍應台要是不懂也沒關係,我也不寄望,因為要符合「蘋果公司」上傳內容的限制,看看附件實在不難,民間一定遲早有人會開公司來做的!

附件:

Movie Signup FAQs

How do I sign up to sell my content on the iTunes Store?
To sign up to sell your content on the iTunes Store, complete the application.

What types of movies can I sell on the iTunes Store?
The iTunes Store accepts feature-length motion pictures and short films — made available to customers in 480p, 720p, or 1080p quality. How-to videos, user-generated content, and other types of videos that are not normally considered to be motion pictures or documentaries are not accepted.

Some content on the iTunes Store is intended for mature audiences and is designated as such by its MPAA rating. Viewer discretion is advised.

Please note that the iTunes Store does not accept films containing graphic sex scenes where the film's primary purpose is sexual titillation.

Movies must be provided in the language(s) of the territory you are applying to distribute in, or they must be dubbed or subtitled in the language(s) of that territory. In addition, any movie offered for distribution in a territory must comply with the ratings requirements for exhibition in that territory.

What is the difference between aggregators and encoding houses?
Aggregators offer valuable services to film distributors who want to sell content on the iTunes Store. For a fee they can format and deliver your content to Apple’s specifications and act as the primary contact with the Apple Operations team to ensure timely processing of the digital files. Apple pays the aggregator for all transactions, and the aggregator then pays the content owner.

Regardless of whether you choose to use an aggregator, all content must be encoded and delivered by an approved Apple encoding facility. The encoding facility processes the content in the Apple-specific encode that is required for distribution on the iTunes Store.

Should I sign up directly with Apple or go through an aggregator?
The majority of independent movie content offered on the iTunes Store comes through our aggregator partners, who offer valuable services to independent film distributors. Working with an aggregator is often the fastest way to offer your movies on the iTunes Store. A list of Apple-approved aggregators is available here.

If you want to apply to sell your movies on iTunes by working directly with Apple, complete the online application.

Do I need an Apple ID to sell movies on the iTunes Store?
Yes, you must have an Apple ID and a current credit card on file with the iTunes Store. If you don’t have an Apple ID, you will need to create one using iTunes. If you do not have iTunes, download it here to get started.

How much does it cost to sign up to sell my content on the iTunes Store?
Signing up to sell your content on the iTunes Store is free. More details regarding sales terms are available during the sign-up process.

Do I need a U.S. Tax ID?
Yes, we require a U.S. Tax ID as part of the iTunes Connect sign-up and authentication process. This requirement also applies to providers outside the U.S. To request a U.S. Tax ID from the IRS, click here.

Be sure to enter your U.S. Tax ID correctly when applying. If you are prompted to complete U.S. tax forms on iTunes Connect, you must use the same U.S. Tax ID.

I get an error message that the first or last name I entered does not match the name on file for the Apple ID I entered. What do I do?
Reenter your Apple ID or go to your account information on the iTunes Store and update the name on file.

I already have an iTunes Connect account to sell another media type (apps, books, music, or TV content). Can I use it to sell movie content?
If you currently have an iTunes Connect account to sell apps or books, you cannot create a second iTunes Connect account with the same Apple ID. You’ll need to set up a new Apple ID and use it to complete a separate movie application.

If you currently have an iTunes Connect account to sell music or TV content, or if you have an Apple ID that you used to apply to sell music or TV content on iTunes and the application is pending approval, you can use that Apple ID to complete the movie application.

Who should apply to sell content on the iTunes Store on behalf of my company?
Someone with signature authority should apply to sell content on the iTunes Store. Only that individual can accept the standard iTunes Store contract on iTunes Connect.

I’m being prompted to enter my legal name. Should I use my own name or my company’s name?
If you’re registered as a company, enter your legal entity name. If you’re signing up as an individual, enter your first and last names. The legal name you enter should match the name affiliated with the U.S. Tax ID and Tax ID type that you provide with your application.

How will I be notified of my application status?
You will be notified via email. Check any spam filters on your email account and make sure your account is set up to receive email from do_not_reply@apple.com.

If my application is accepted, in what countries will my movies be available?
iTunes movie providers have the option to request contracts for all regions in which the iTunes Store sells movies. Once a contract for a specific region has been finalized and all other requirements have been met, movies that have been delivered to us with territory rights cleared in that region may be made available for sale there.