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Thread: Canada hit by movie preview ban

  1. #1
    popopot's Avatar To Me, To You BT Rep: +5
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    "A Hollywood studio is to cancel all preview screenings of its movies in Canada, in an attempt to clamp down on "rampant" film piracy in the region."

    Warner Bros will halt all "promotional and word-of-mouth screenings" of new releases, says the Hollywood Reporter. The studio blamed the failure of the Canadian government to make camcording - videotaping a film directly off the cinema screen - an illegal practice. The preview ban will affect Ocean's Thirteen and the latest Harry Potter.

    "We regret having to cancel our screenings in Canada," said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Brothers. "But our studio must take steps to protect not only our branded assets, but our commitment to film-makers and to our distributors." The ban was announced on Monday, as representatives from major film studios told a parliamentary committee in Canada that unauthorised recording of Hollywood films in domestic cinemas was rampant.

    "Canada is the number one priority in terms of anti-camcording legislation," said Darcy Antonellis, a senior figure in worldwide anti-piracy operations at Warner Bros Entertainment. "Within the first week of a film's release, you can almost be certain that somewhere out there a Canadian copy will show up." Last year, Twentieth Century Fox threatened to postpone film releases in Canada to eliminate the threat of unauthorised camcording.

    Cable talks
    Meanwhile, the major studios are in talks with US cable company Comcast over plans to screen films on cable TV on the same day as they are released in cinemas. Comcast's Stephen Burke told a trade show in Las Vegas that subscribers could be charged between $30 to $50 (£15-£25) to watch a film release at home on its opening day in cinemas.

    "We've talked to the studios about this and they're all interested," said Mr Burke, but added that there were no imminent developments. Studios, which make a large chunk of their profit from DVD sales, are eager to narrow the gap between big screen debuts and DVD releases, thereby reducing the need for a second promotional campaign. However, cinema owners have strongly resisted any effort to close the window amid fears their attendances would fall.

    Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6634173.stm
    Last edited by Hairbautt; 05-09-2007 at 02:57 PM. Reason: Wordwrap


  2. News (Archive)   -   #2
    Hairbautt's Avatar *haircut
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    According to BetaNews,
    70 percent of Warner Bros.’s films that are pirated have originated from Canada in the past 18 months which are then distributed around the world.

    In turn, the Studio has enacted a new policy in Canada where “it would no longer hold promotional screenings of movies…and all press screenings would take place in a private room.”

    A spokesman from the company explains that the new “policy represents the studio's response to the lack of legislation in Canada to curtail the growing wave of camcorder-shot ("camcorded") films being trafficked around the world.”

    Quite obviously, blame Canada.

    However, “Canada has not adopted a federal law making camcording illegal or permitting the confiscation of equipment…” therefore contributing to the growing movie piracy in the country as well as internationally.

    As for the promotional screenings the upcoming films by Warner Bros. and Warner Independent Pictures films will be affected: Oceans Thirteen and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

    Guess you’re gonna have to check the eweb or some such.

    Source: BetaNews
    Related: BBC News - Canada hit by movie preview ban

    Just added: Another move by Warner Bros. has been made in Hong Kong "to combat movie piracy by offering high quality downloads, for a price." Check it out at DailyTech. Seems as though they are stepping up their campaign.

    Related: DailyTech - Warner Bros. to Offer Movies Online in Hong Kong
    Last edited by Hairbautt; 05-10-2007 at 01:34 PM. Reason: Added image. Stupid ImageShack, I swear...; Fixed Source link.
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    Last edited by Alien5; Jun 6th, 2006 at
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  3. News (Archive)   -   #3
    Darth Sushi's Avatar Sushi Lord
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hairbautt View Post
    …and all press screenings would take place in a private room.”
    In a private room with drugs, hookers, and fire trucks! Those canucks are crazy!

  4. News (Archive)   -   #4
    S!X's Avatar L33T Member BT Rep: +5
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    So basically they've branded us as the source of all pre-screenings that are leaked on the net? Man that's weak...

  5. News (Archive)   -   #5
    Hmm local radio station say all there pre screening promotional viewings have very tight security...Are warner bros saying they can't even secure a few theaters for promotional viewing(very sad) Do you think this could be political in nature maybe, designed to put pressure on Ottawa...!!

  6. News (Archive)   -   #6
    Hairbautt's Avatar *haircut
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    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by accat13 View Post
    Do you think this could be political in nature maybe, designed to put pressure on Ottawa...!!
    They do blame it on "lax laws."
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    Last edited by Alien5; Jun 6th, 2006 at
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  7. News (Archive)   -   #7
    Virtualbody1234's Avatar Forum Star BT Rep: +2
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    Quote Originally Posted by accat13 View Post
    Hmm local radio station say all there pre screening promotional viewings have very tight security...Are warner bros saying they can't even secure a few theaters for promotional viewing(very sad) Do you think this could be political in nature maybe, designed to put pressure on Ottawa...!!
    Yup. It's pressure tactics for sure.

  8. News (Archive)   -   #8
    lynx's Avatar .
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    Let's see, these previews are invite only AFAIK (though I bet we could trade them ) and are primarily for the movie company's benefit.

    All I can see here is negative publicity for Warner, and lack of promotion of their own products. Sounds like a winner to me, for all the studios except Warner.
    .
    Political correctness is based on the principle that it's possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.

  9. News (Archive)   -   #9
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    So when these films inevitably find their way onto the net anyway, will Warner Brothers then apologise and change their policy?

    (fat chance)

  10. News (Archive)   -   #10
    peat moss's Avatar Software Farmer BT Rep: +15BT Rep +15BT Rep +15
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    Yep blame Canada , sounds like a future script for the Simpsons or South Park .

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