Spiderman 2 Camcorder Pirate Caught

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 10, 2004, 3:55 pm

WTF! Projectionists using nightvision goggles? Give a pirate a chance!

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LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A teenager was arrested early Wednesday in a California theater showing "Spider-Man 2" after a projectionist using night vision goggles saw him using a camcorder to make an illegal copy of the superhero sequel.

The 16-year-old could be charged under a law that went into effect January 1 and makes taking a recording device into a movie theater a crime punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office will review the case and decide whether to charge the teen, who was released to his parents' custody, said Sgt. Mel Amoroso, a spokesman at the Los Angeles Police Department's Devonshire Division.

The film industry's trade group hailed the arrest and credited its recent initiative to offer cash rewards of up to $500 to theater employees who turn in moviegoers attempting to make illicit film copies.

"In theaters nationwide, there are now thousands of eyes looking for camcording-pirates and this incident proves that pirates who use these devices in theaters will be caught," said James W. Spertus, vice president and director of antipiracy operations for the Motion Picture Association of America.

Camcorders account for 92 percent of all illegal copies of films that are sold online and on street corners worldwide, according to the MPAA.

The teen, whose identity was not released, was among the throngs of midnight movie viewers across the country who crowded theaters for the debut of the "Spider-Man" sequel.

According to the MPAA, the projectionist at the Pacific Winnetka theater in the Los Angeles suburb of Chatsworth spotted the teen using a camcorder a few minutes into the start of the film.

He and two others with him were removed from the theater and turned over to the police.

The camcorder contained a recording of the beginning of the film, the MPAA said.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 10, 2004, 4:04 pm

What a dumbass. There's already been a good version out there for a week now!

Kriista · Post by **Kriista** » July 10, 2004, 4:26 pm

i find it creepy that the projectionist had night vision goggles, was this a hobby of his, or standard issue to snag pirates?

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » July 10, 2004, 5:02 pm

Tis standard issue now.

Cotto · Post by **Cotto** » July 10, 2004, 7:32 pm

Some cinema's over hear say that night vison camera's will be recording audiences during filming. Dont know whether its true.

Oh well, no more sex in the back row, unless you want to end up on the net

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » July 10, 2004, 8:44 pm

Yep, it's becoming standard procedure with some theatres. Also the film companies offering bounties to the theatre workers who catch the people trying to record the film is another incentive.

Kriista · Post by **Kriista** » July 10, 2004, 8:58 pm

i think thats fucked up as hell
i guess its no different than the video cameras in 90% of retail places, but something about the dark + night vision
that and it fucks theatre sex up, or makes it more exciting, depending on your spin

does anyone else feel that theatres are starting to fuck the consumer pretty good lately?
the commercials preceding the movies didnt drop ticket prices down any
the amount of product placement is out of hand in major movies etc..

masteen · Post by **masteen** » July 12, 2004, 12:52 pm

I expect another Paris-Hilton-caught-on-theatrevision sexcapade any day now.