MPAA putting cameras in theaters to spy on moviegoers - Polidicks

[url]http://torrentfreak.com/movie-spy-cameras-attack-the-dying-art-of-camcorder-piracy-120426/[/url] [quote]The elimination of camcorder movie piracy has been high on the agenda of movie studios for many years, particularly so during the last decade. Many approaches have been tried and there are signs that in the past 5 years the problem has significantly reduced. The latest anti-cam system claims to be the most unobtrusive yet, negating the need for bag searches, cell phone confiscations or the employment of security guards. [URL="http://torrentfreak.com/images/pirateeyelogo.jpg"] [/URL]During the last decade the issue of so-calling ‘camming’ – taking a video recording device into a theater and filming the screen – grew out to the point where almost every major movie was online before its official release. Groups like [URL="http://torrentfreak.com/wikileaks-police-arrested-movie-pirate-as-a-personal-favor-to-movie-official-110430/"]maVen[/URL] turned the act into an art form, turning out the latest movies in record time and with unprecedented quality. In more recent times, however, the trend has been showing signs of reversal. These days cammed movies only make up less than 5% of the top 100 most downloaded movies and at this week’s CinemaCon 2012 convention, MPAA chief Chris Dodd said that instances of camcorder recordings had dropped by some 50% since 2007. “Almost all of this is due to your vigilance,” he told the [URL="http://www.natoonline.org/"]NATO[/URL] audience. In several speeches since he took on the role of MPAA chief, Dodd has stressed that the absolute best way to watch movies is “in theaters, in the dark, on the big screen,” and millions of movie-goers agree with him. Unfortunately some of NATO’s MPAA-mandated approaches to combating camcorder piracy have sullied that experience. [URL="http://torrentfreak.com/movie-goer-searched-for-camming-kit-threatened-over-candy-090317/"]Bag searches[/URL], pat downs, metal detectors, cell-phone confiscations, and even [URL="http://torrentfreak.com/cinemas-must-warn-visitors-of-anti-pirate-goggles-091003/"]night vision goggles[/URL], have turned movie screenings (particularly early ones) into an experience more akin to that of a post 9/11 airport check-in than a relaxing evening out. But according to a presentation that took place yesterday at CinemaCon, all this has the potential to become a thing of the past. PirateEye was developed with funding from Motion Picture Laboratories, Inc. ([URL="http://www.movielabs.com/"]MovieLabs[/URL]), a non-profit research organization funded by the major Hollywood studios. In development since 2006 and in new hands since 2010, $5m is said to have been invested in the technology to date. The system involves the installation of cameras in theaters that scan the audience and have the ability to detect the lenses of camcorders and cellphones. PirateEye also records what it sees and retains “forensic quality” evidence for prosecutions. While perhaps the natural reaction is to be concerned about yet more invasions of privacy in the name of protecting Hollywood, the people behind the technology say it is no more intrusive than other CCTV systems people encounter on a daily basis. They even say it could lead people to feel more comfortable. “The purpose of PirateEye is to not have another person look at you suspiciously if you haven’t done anything wrong,” [URL="http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/pirateeye-watching-you-so-camcorders-beware-37341"]said[/URL] Brian Dunn, chief executive officer of PirateEye. “If the cameras don’t catch a person trying to tape a film illegally, the images are destroyed.” But it seems that PirateEye has more uses than simply cracking down on movie piracy. Earlier this week CinemaCon managing director Mitch Neuhauser [URL="http://www.deadline.com/2012/04/movie-pirate-caught-filming-at-cinemacon/"]revealed[/URL] that someone had been detected at the convention not for partaking in movie piracy per se, but for recording Paramount’s presentation to exhibitors. That individual was apparently arrested and taken away by the police. Finally, in his speech to the convention, Chris Dodd praised NATO for scheduling sessions on how to engage movier-goers through social networking, but interestingly one of the stated aims of the PirateEye system is to cut down on ways film fans might choose to promote their experiences with each other. In addition to curbing full-film professional piracy, their technology also aims to deter “social piracy” – the casual recording, storage, sharing of movie clips online. According to its creators, thus far the system has already resulted in more than ten arrests and prosecutions in the U.S. However, thanks to aggressive US legislation, the uncompromising attitudes of theater staff, and the lack of discretion they are encouraged to show to anyone recording any part of a movie, Pirate Eye will suck in professional pirates [URL="http://torrentfreak.com/new-moon-pirate-camming-farce-comes-to-an-end-091211/"]and innocents alike[/URL].[/quote] Pay $10 and buy $30 worth of popcorn and soda so you can have the privilege of some asshole watching you through cameras for the whole movie? Getting dragged out of the theater by police because the cameras caught a glimpse of your phone camera lens while you checked your messages? What a brilliant idea! Bet the RIAA will have these on every concert stage too.

If they don't chuck people out for glancing at their phone i honestly have no problem with this. It's not like i'd be doing anything in the cinema except starting at a screen anyway.

What. Someone please remove the MPAA, they're just pathetic now. And always have been, really. [editline]26th April 2012[/editline] Wait, they've been turning it into a fucking terrorist search to stop people from recording it. What.

I didnt know people actually try to record movies with cameras anymore, why use the 2001 tactic?

[QUOTE=usaokay;35717996]how about you focus your finance on creating a better experience for those who want to watch your films[/QUOTE] and therefore make pirating less and less worth it

For different security reasons, I'm surprised movie theatres didn't have cameras in the rooms in general.

I think a better solution would be to make movies people want to watch and not charge stupid prices to go and watch them.

[QUOTE=mr apple;35717988]I didnt know people actually try to record movies with cameras anymore, why use the 2001 tactic?[/QUOTE] because movies don't come out on dvd the moment they come out in theaters

[QUOTE=markg06;35718042]I think a better solution would be to make movies people want to watch and not charge stupid prices to go and watch them.[/QUOTE] but but PIRATES

Guarantee that if anyone is monitoring the cameras they'll be hoping to see some back seat action.

What privacy? You're a public fucking place. You have no expectation of privacy. Don't want your phone to get picked up? Turn it off and keep it away like you're supposed to. This is torrentfreak and idiots sensationalizing what is actually a pretty okay move, even if the MPAA itself is shit.

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;35717955][url]http://torrentfreak.com/movie-spy-cameras-attack-the-dying-art-of-camcorder-piracy-120426/[/url] Pay $10 and buy $30 worth of popcorn and soda so you can have the privilege of some asshole watching you through cameras for the whole movie? Getting dragged out of the theater by police because the cameras caught a glimpse of your phone camera lens while you checked your messages? What a brilliant idea! Bet the RIAA will have these on every concert stage too.[/QUOTE] I hate the assholes who check their phones in the middle of a movie.

[QUOTE=markg06;35718042]I think a better solution would be to make movies people want to watch and not charge stupid prices to go and watch them.[/QUOTE] Wait how much is it to see a movie where you live? I've never really thought it was too expensive

Do they seriously think camrips rival theatrical release? Ahaha good one.

Who watches cams anyway

They're probably using it as a ruse to let security guards watch the movie from the comfort from their sweaty armchairs.

The MAFIAA needs to die, and soon.

One more reason not to pay these assholes money

pretty sure many film theatres already have cameras anyway

[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;35718343]pretty sure many film theatres already have cameras anyway[/QUOTE] But are these cameras for security or spying?

general security reasons, including to see if people are taping the movie [editline]26th April 2012[/editline] how exactly is it "spying" anyway [editline]26th April 2012[/editline] they aren't coming to your house and installing their cameras in your bathroom

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;35717955]Pay $10 and buy $30 worth of popcorn and soda so you can have the privilege of some asshole watching you through cameras for the whole movie? Getting dragged out of the theater by police because the cameras caught a glimpse of your phone camera lens while you checked your messages? What a brilliant idea! Bet the RIAA will have these on every concert stage too.[/QUOTE] I've seen iPhones already lock out websites and other apps related to say... sports scores because "you are too close to an authorized source" meaning, you're close to that sports bar there, you must go there to get your scores instead of finding them on your iphone. Additionally, Apple has a patent for IR emitters to be placed in movie theaters and concert stages that transmit signals to iPhones and the like that disable their camera during the show. So unfortunately this concept isn't a new thing, its just actually being moved towards implementation.

[QUOTE=scout1;35718105]What privacy? You're a public fucking place. You have no expectation of privacy. Don't want your phone to get picked up? Turn it off and keep it away like you're supposed to. This is torrentfreak and idiots sensationalizing what is actually a pretty okay move, even if the MPAA itself is shit.[/QUOTE]Well, the theatre is private, which of course, lets them do anything they want on their property, whether it be installing cameras or expelling people who they don't want in.

I honestly don't see a problem with this. Maybe it's just because I'm british and used to CCTV on every corner.

I don't want the MPAA to see me eating my popcorn!

There go my chances of ever getting a blowjob in the backrow of a cinema.

[QUOTE=V12US;35718761]There go my chances of ever getting a blowjob in the backrow of a cinema.[/QUOTE] The security might not stop you if you position yourself properly and let them watch. Don't forget to stare directly into the security camera the whole time.

[QUOTE=Uber|nooB;35718343]pretty sure many film theatres already have cameras anyway[/QUOTE] mine doesn't but we have ushers walk the theaters two-four times to check for disturbances and such

[QUOTE=Thunderbolt;35718239]Who watches cams anyway[/QUOTE] Yea, seriously. If the movie was worth watching who would put up with the terrible quality. If I see cameras I'll be sure to act as suspicious as possible, though.

[QUOTE=squids_eye;35718713]I honestly don't see a problem with this. Maybe it's just because I'm british and used to CCTV on every corner.[/QUOTE] I have no problem with street CCTV since it's a great alibi. But if I had to be watched while trying to see a movie, I just wouldn't go to the cinema.