Types of Content Theft
CAMCORDER THEFTApproximately ninety percent of newly released movies that are pirated can be traced to thieves who use a digital recording device in a movie theater to literally steal the image and/or sound off the screen. Camcorder theft is one of the biggest problems facing the film industry. All it takes is one camcorder copy to trigger the mass reproduction and distribution of millions of illegal Internet downloads and bootlegs in global street markets just hours after a film’s release and well before it becomes available for legal rental or purchase from legitimate suppliers. Studios and theater owners have significantly increased security and surveillance in theaters all over the world to thwart would-be camcorders. Since 2003, the major motion picture studios have employed technology such as watermarking films, which enables film companies to discern the source of a stolen film through forensic analysis and trace it back to the very theater in which it was recorded.
PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) THEFT
A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is a system that enables Internet users through the exchange of digital files among individual computers or "peers" to (1) make files (including movies and music) stored on their computer available for copying by other users; (2) search for files stored on other users’ computers; and (3) transfer exact copies of files from one computer to another. P2P technology itself is not illegal and may be useful for many legal purposes, but people often use the technology to illegally exchange copyrighted material on the Internet. While people may believe their files are being exchanged among only a few "friends," these files can be accessed by millions of people around the world who are part of the same P2P network.
If you download movies using illegal peer-to-peer sites, you are often also distributing illegal content, as the default setting of most P2P networks ensures that individuals downloading files from the network are simultaneously uploading files and thus distributing illegal copies of works to other peers in the group, who in turn distribute the files to yet others.
By uploading and downloading copyrighted material on P2P networks you are not only violating the law, you are also potentially exposing your computer and private information to strangers. By allowing strangers to access files on your computer, other sensitive information, such as bank records, social security numbers and pictures, could also become accessible and put you and your family at risk of identity theft or worse. This activity also exposes your computer to harmful viruses, spyware and annoying pop-ups (adware).
STREAMING THEFT
Streaming refers to a form of online content theft that allows users to view unauthorized copyrighted motion picture and television content on demand, without downloading the illegal file. Users generally visit illegal websites that either host the streamed content or provide links to content hosted on other websites. Both hosting unauthorized content and linking to unauthorized content hosted on other websites is illegal.
While there are many websites where consumers can legally view streamed content, there are many illegal streaming sites where operators will solicit users to provide payment to purchase "subscriptions" or "memberships" or otherwise pay for illegal content. These sites often feature advertisements for legitimate products or services alongside illegal streaming of unauthorized movie and television content. They may use trademarks and cover art of well-known studios and distribution companies or provide a plot summary of a movie or a list of the cast of characters. Website operators of such illegal sites purposely use these techniques to fool consumers into believing that their websites are legal; that’s how they make a profit. It’s called fraud and theft.
When visiting a website that streams video content, remember these tips in deciding whether to use the website to watch your favorite movies and television shows:
- Watch for Titles that are "Too New to be True"
Movies that have yet to be released in theaters, or which are still out in theaters, are not legally available online. If such recent titles are being offered online, they are almost invariably illegal copies. - Trust Your Eyes and Ears
In many cases, the quality of illegal copies is inferior with poor sound and can appear blurry or shaky. - Be Cautious When Websites Make Offers that are Too Good to be True
Be wary of "too good to be true" offers, such as those for "free" content when searching for and purchasing downloads from unfamiliar sites; they typically indicate pirated product. Look out for terms like "Unlimited Movie Downloads," "100% legal" and "Millions of Files Shared." Offers for one-time or yearly fees with no details and no contact information should also alert you that you have entered an illegal site. If the site avoids disclosing its location (for example, if there is no address in its contact information), this can also be a sign of an illegal website.
Optical disc theft — also known as "bootlegging" — is the illegal manufacturing, sale and/or distribution of movies in hard copy or disc format. Bootleggers sometimes have elaborate operations where they replicate DVDs and then distribute them to vendors who sell them illegally on the streets. There is strong evidence that many of these operations are run by the same organized crime networks that traffic in drugs and human beings. Others may have small operations in their homes and even in their places of work. These illegal goods can be sold anywhere: on websites, online auction sites, via e-mail, by street vendors and in flea markets around the world.
THEATRICAL PRINT THEFT
Theft of a film print (35 or 16 mm) or digital file from a theater, film depot, courier service or other industry-related facility for the purpose of making illegal copies is another serious form of copyright theft. This type of theft enables the replication of high quality copies that then serve as a master for duplication and unauthorized distribution. Fortunately, this type of theft is rare due to increased security measures taken by MPAA member companies. The MPAA routinely conducts security surveys of production and post-production facilities on behalf of our member companies and recommends specific security measures that have had a positive impact on reducing this type of theft.
SCREENER THEFT
Illegal copies of films are sometimes made from legitimate, advance copies used for screening and marketing purposes called "screeners." As with film print theft, this type of theft is rare. Hollywood studios send out hundreds of thousands of screeners every year with very few instances of leaks. However, there are some unfortunate instances where the source of pirated movies is found to be screeners. To protect against screener leaks, the studios annually confirm addresses in their databases to ensure screeners are delivered to the correct addresses and end up in the hands of the intended viewer.
SIGNAL THEFT
Signal theft refers to the act of illegally misappropriating satellite signals without authorization. Those involved with signal theft often provide consumers with illegal cable decoders or satellite descramblers in order to provide unauthorized access to satellite broadcasts. Internationally, the problem becomes more acute when programs not otherwise legally available to a particular country at that time are pirated from satellites and then re-transmitted in that country either by cable or broadcast TV.
BROADCAST THEFT
Like signal theft, broadcast theft involves over-the-air broadcasts. However, instead of stealing signals, the illegal act may be the unauthorized, on-air broadcasting of films or television programs without permission from the copyright holder.
ILLEGAL PUBLIC PERFORMANCE
An unauthorized public performance occurs when an unlicensed or unauthorized performance is transmitted by means of any device or process to the public. Unauthorized public performances include situations where an institution or commercial establishment shows a film to its members or customers without receiving permission from the copyright owner, regardless of how large or small the audience may be, and regardless of whether the establishment may have lawfully rented or purchased the movie being shown. This includes "public performances" where an admission fee is charged or no admission fee is charged (such as screenings in a civic hall or a park), as well as those that are simply offered as an additional service of the establishment. However, there are a few narrowly described circumstances (such as face-to-face classroom situations) where a license is not required to show a movie. To learn more, click here.