Last week the story spread around quickly. A woman who filmed her sister’s birthday party and a few minutes of the movie New Moon had been arrested.

Theater managers, who knew only too well that the lady faced three years in jail, insisted on pressing charges, apparently completely unable to tell the difference between a pro pirate and a happy snapper.

Fortunately, on Friday the prosecutors threw out the case against her, but now Muvico are trying to dig themselves out of the hole they dug for themselves by issuing a press release on the situation. Unfortunately for them, they have simply reinforced what many observers have already noticed – they have no minds of their own, are unable to demonstrate discretion, and have only the ability to follow MPAA orders in a drone-like fashion.

Muvico, in compliance with the anti-piracy guidelines issued to movie theater operators nationwide by the Motion Picture Association of America, followed standard procedure by referring the matter to police. Specifically, theater managers are instructed to alert law enforcement authorities whenever they suspect prohibited activity. Theater managers do not make the determination whether a crime has been committed, and it is up to the police and prosecutors to use their discretion whether or not to press charges.

What is wrong with these people? Who on earth is going to buy or download a 4 minute ‘cam’ of a movie taken on a handheld, no-tripod camera, interspersed with family outing footage of celebrations and the singing of ‘Happy Birthday’, coupled with a continuous commentary by the camera operator?

No one, that’s who. Risk of monetary loss to the movie or theater – 0%. Why not simply have a quiet word and inform the ‘criminal’ that the camera really isn’t allowed? Is it really necessary to have a customer locked up in jail for 2 days?

Supposedly Muvico’s actions were to prevent a ‘crime’ against the theater and the movie itself, yet these supposed experts can’t even tell if a crime has even been committed. Can’t they recognize ‘intent’ when they see it? Is it really that difficult to tell? Of course not, but blatantly following MPAA instructions is clearly their number one priority, no matter who it hurts, no matter who it offends, no matter how many customers they alienate.

And Muvico is absolutely unrepentant, stating that it will continue to enforce its zero-tolerance policy, noting that any recording of a movie, of any length, “is a federal and state offense that Muvico is compelled to report.”

An aggressive law, that everyone knows, was lobbied for by the MPAA.

While Muvico stands by its action in this instance, it is happy that the judicial process has reached an appropriate result and is pleased that the charges against Ms. Tumpach have been dismissed.

This press release is a complete joke – congratulations Muvico, you just made things even worse.

Say after me: “Yes, we can think for ourselves…” – or do you need me to get the MPAA to tell you?

Article from: FreakBits