Under the current state law anyone caught using a camcorder in a cinema within New York can face a fine of up to $250. As bootleggers sell vast numbers of pirated DVDs that were filmed in the cinema, this fine is of no more inconvenience to them as is a parking fine for illegal parking. These DVDs are often sold in Subway train aisles during rush hour with the bootlegger's shouting out a price such as "two for five dollars!"
Despite most recordings being of very poor quality, consumers don't seem to care about the DVDs being pirated, particularly when they are paying a price they don't expect much for anyway. So, now the MPAA is pushing a bill to not only raise the maximum fine to $1,000, but also up a year jail time, ability for the police to arrest violators on the spot as well as charge those caught a second time with a felony.
The proposed bill does have certain issues also in that it is not specifically targeted at camcorders, but anything that can capture an image. For example someone using a still camera could face the same punishment as a bootlegger who deliberately films the movie to resell as pirated DVDs. Thanks to Reverend J for using our news submit to let us know about the following news:
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Making the crime a misdemeanor also would empower police to arrest violators on the spot, rather than simply issuing a summons. People caught a second time would be charged with a felony. "We have to do something, because right now there's no risk," said William J. Shannon, a Yonkers-based deputy director of the association's U.S. anti-piracy operation. "Right now, you're looking at something about the same as a parking ticket." Legislators, film industry representatives and lawyers met Wednesday in Manhattan to discuss the new proposal, which would make New York one of several states to adopt tougher rules on movie piracy in recent years. |
While the potential for jail time may put off some bootleggers, the maximum penalty still seems quite small when compared with the price those caught illegally sharing movies or music over file sharing networks may get charged. But then again, it is one thing to tape a film while in the cinema and another thing to mass produce the recording. Back in January 2004, California enforced its own tough anti-camcorder law, which not only has a higher penalty of $2,500, but also covers the prosecution of those who even attempt to bring a recording device in a cinema, whether or not they intend using it.
Source: Yahoo News - Technology
