Projectionists Using Night Vision Goggles

Found on Slashdot on Thursday, 15 April 2004
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"Los Angeles police arrested Ruben Centero Moreno, 34, after the projectionist used night vision goggles to spot his video camera in a showing of The Alamo. He has been charged under the new California anti-camcorder law, and could face up to 1 year in jail if convicted. The BBC reports that 'The MPAA has established a nationwide telephone hotline for cinema employees to report violations, and studios and cinemas are also investing in metal detectors and night-vision goggles'. Motion Picture Ass. Head Jack Valenti said he hoped it would 'send a clear signal such crimes will not be tolerated'. Clearly, the 'War on Copyright Violation' is following the successful strategy used for the War on Drugs, with significant resources of technology and police time mobilised to send violators to jail for a long time. Soon, copied films will be as rare as students lighting up a joint after their exams."

The lesson is clear: stay out of movie theaters and you won't get arrested.

Obviously, the MPAA likes to harass people, just like the RIAA. The law itself is questionable in my eyes: you are allowed to record radio and TV for private usage, but it's not allowed to the the same in theaters. It also needs to be mentioned that the quality of a screener is far from DVD releases. Copies will always be available, no matter that they try. For now, just don't go to theaters (I bet they will blame losses on piracy).