No Solace for Bond: Movie Pirates Evade Camcorder Spies
Written by enigmax on November 11, 2008Hitting US theaters this week, the latest Bond movie ‘Quantum of Solace’ has already been released in the UK. However, despite searching the bags of paying customers, monitoring movie audiences with Bond-style night vision goggles and proffering misinformation, the industry has failed to stop the movie leaking to the Internet.
There’s no doubt about it, Bond movies are very big business indeed and MGM will be hoping James’ latest outing in ‘Quantum of Solace‘ will prove no different. However, movies of this importance are usually released in the US first and, on the whole, they enjoy the first couple of days at the box office without pirate copies being widely available. Inevitably, and within a short period, copies do appear on the Internet – certainly by the time the movie migrates to other territories. However, Quantum of Solace was released in the UK first, so additional effort has been made to stop the movie appearing online in advance of the US theatrical release.
Last week, the extent of the measures became clear, when reporter Kathryn Carr spoke with Alan Coward, a team leader at Vue Cinemas in the UK. “We have staff going in for the first 20 minutes with the goggles, and the last 15 minutes. They also make regular checks in between,” said Alan, adding, “We have also been searching people’s bags on the way in.”
Spying on theater audiences is not an unusual event – US theater-goers have been subject to this treatment for a while now, but such actions are comparatively rare in the UK. Not that the UK is completely innocent when it comes to being a source for camcorded movies. It has been in the past, with movies such as X-Men: The Last Stand, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Pirates of the Carribbean 2 and V for Vendetta, all rumored to have first hit the ‘net from a UK cammer. But despite this handful of high-profile leaks, UK theaters are not a hotbed of camcorder piracy.
The fact that the UK is not a major source of camcorded movies is probably down to most movies being released elsewhere first. ‘Cammers’ like to get the movie quickly, and that usually means recording it from a US or Canadian source, so a UK release is usually unattractive since it comes too late.
However, there are other attractions for those looking to cam a movie in Britain. “If someone is found to be recording the film they would be banned from the cinema for life, and they would probably be arrested,” said Alan Coward. One can’t argue with the ban, but Mr Coward’s assessment of an arrest is fanciful. While criminal law in the UK makes it illegal to offer for sale (or rent) an infringing copy of a copyrighted movie, unlike the United States, Canada and Japan (and much to the disappointment of the MPAA), simply ‘camming’ a movie on its own is not a criminal offense in Britain.
In September 2007, Dan Glickman of the MPAA visited the UK to have meetings with senior people from the UK government and representatives of the UK Film Council. His mission was to persuade the government to introduce legislation to change ‘camming’ from a civil infringement, to a serious criminal offense. So far, that legislation has not appeared. Since theater staff cannot detain a suspected ‘cammer’ by force because the law simply does not allow it, they instead attempt to disrupt the recording by ‘peaceful means’ and notify FACT for further instruction.
However, all the lobbying, bag searches and James Bond-style night vision goggles in the world don’t seem to make any difference to the availability of pirate material. Quantum of Solace is already available on the Internet in Telesync format (video recorded via a good camcorder, with audio added from a ‘direct’ source, such as a T-Loop). It has been available for a few days in French and maybe even another couple of languages but it is now fully available in English, with what many will consider to be a half-decent picture quality.
I’d end this post with a Bond catchphrase, but for Quantum they banned them all. Shame.
Previously: Defiant, BitTorrent and NZB Sites Fight Back Against ‘Intimidation’
Next: Top 10 Most Pirated TV Shows on BitTorrent
69 Responses
NOTHING CAN STOP THE PIRATES!!!
Huzzaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!
Some US filmgoers are just sheep and do what they’re told.
Thankfully the new generation as boomers die off is not so stupid.
Every time they’ve tried to confiscate anything that could record from me (cellphones, etc), I basically told them to piss off, and they did.
You can’t stop the pirates so why try. We might as well get a better quality movie out of it. :)
Visit P2P Tech Time
http://www.p2ptechtime.com
i still dont see a reason to watch cam version
@4:
I suppose people might consider a ‘cam’ as ‘exciting’, in that it’s possible to have something that isn’t officially available. But the quality is always seriously compromised so I tend to agree with you. I’m surprised that the movie industry is so worried about them.
If you ask me, the people probably just bribed the owner of said cinema to look the other way while they film. No doubt it happens.
I think they are afraid of cam rips because those are released when the movie is still “hot” and the marketing campaign is at its paroxysm.
Cam can be low image quality, but people will see if the movie’s story is worth going to the pictures or not. And since most movies are very bad… hehe
Yet, as usual, the industry is being paranoid, since the income is increasing all the time.
…I wonder if theyre in teh projection booth – the bast cams seem to originate if theyre recorded from there. So I hear.
Cams are gay anyways, why people even chance at getting caught for shit video quality is dumb.
“Bond movies are very big business” which makes them all the more disappointing. They are business, so how can they be culture? They care not for its worth, they shall do anything to make more money. The fact that they control where it is released is another minus – why should a few people control where a movie gets released? Let there be more disappointment to the MPAA – hopefully.
Roze
http://www.10ch.org/
What a bunch of retards… it’s the staff themselves capping these movies. Most people that work in a cinema are movie fanatics anyway and they have all area access and no one seaches their bags. Jeez, when will they realize they can’t stop us?
Soon there’ll be someone who replaces his glass eye with an HD lense and caps the movies that way …
Arrr … do what you want ’cause a pirate is free …
I,ve heard that there is an official dvd screener version flying around somewhere which can only really be leaked by the reviewers etc. Can anybody tell me where i might be able to find it. None of the mainstream torrent sites. Its pretty hot property at the moment so I guess whoever has it, is a little bit nervous about uploading it again???????
But I will not bother with the cam version as they are usually shit, even ts’s are not really that brilliant. Not worth the risk anyways.
I agree with rOck, its gotta be the staff themselves who are either recording the movie themselves or conveniently overlooking the person who is. Getting into a movie theatre these days is like going through airport security. In fact you will probably get into the pentagon more easily than my local movie house.
Er… you d!pshit – TS = cammed film, LOL
There isnt a dvd screener that has been uploaded yet. If there was it’d be on my site because it’s the greatest site evar.
Its so much better than The Pirate Bay, which is slow and crappy. Come to my site for more wonderful insightful comments from me. I know a lot about everything.
http://www.h33t.com the only place to get all my insights first. Be in the know, I’m a fountain of knowledge!
No Doggity Don, Cam is a totally shit copy done with a very average camera. TS = Theatre Screener done with a very good quality camera. There is a difference you know. Then you have R5 then DVD Screener as mentioned by anonymous (above entry 12). Might be a good idea if you engage your brain before you start typing rather than the other way round.
H33t — Check your site later!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If they want to increase the number of movie-goers, every person should receive a free DVD of the movie they go to see. The only reason one goes to the movie theatres is for the big screen and great sound. They should spend their well-thieved monies on that. Who cares what Joe Bloggs does with it when he gets home. NOTHING beats the movies theatre (as they say).
The Movie/Music distribution industries only exist because the technology allows them to.
What technology giveth, technology will taketh away.
True enough TerribleTony, Can’t beat the night out with the big screen, surround sound and some pop corn. It’s the DVD industry that needs to be shaken up, not the movie theatres. Movie goers will always be movie goers,
Yes, great idea however it won’t work because pretty much all films make more on DVD sales than cinema tickets.
Pirate Bay sux, right on.
I saw this the day it came out, for once they had an effective anti-piracy ad. Instead of the usual “you’re as bad as a carjacker”, it showed you the people behind the movies whose livelihoods depend on the industry. It shows that these industries CAN adapt if people say something about their practices (IT Crowd/Futurama spoof of their ads, that FACT spoof with the guy crying because he bought a legit dvd with unskippable piracy ads). Maybe they will start to learn that they shouldn’t punish legitimate customers and turn them into pirates.
Searching bags? Who the hell would consent to that? I’d tell them to go f*ck themselves if they asked to search anything. If they tried to kick me out for refusing a search, it would turn into a lawsuit-fest for sure. Movie theatres have deep pockets you know, so I’m sure you could tap them for a cool 10-grand settlement for even a minor incident. Then later you can also find out where the offending employees live for future retaliation (that’s the best part!)
Nobody has to ‘prove’ their innocence in a free society. If anyone anywhere wants to search you, in a theatre, in a store, tell them to f*ck off and then smash their teeth in just for asking (which is really accusing.)
This reminds me of when people feel obligated to prove their innocence when one of those store exit alarms goes off or when they are asked to show a receipt on exiting as a policy. If you just keep walking, there is nothing they can do. Even a cop couldn’t search you in that circumstance (at least here in Canada.) They actually need probable cause for suspicion to detain someone, which those alarms do not provide as they go off falsely 100 times per hour, nor does refusal to show a receipt for items you’ve already paid for. They need to see you actually pocket the loot and bring it through the door without paying.
Yet, what do the typical pussies do? Comply like good little cowards. Don’t want to make anyone mad by standing up for yourself.
As I said, theatre usher asks to search your bag, punch him in his zit-face (and then wash the puss off your hands.)
since when did the movie theater become an airport security checkpoint.
And BTW, movie theatres suck. You can’t smoke, can’t booze it up, can’t get high, have to walk a quarter-mile to go take a leak (and you can’t pause the movie when you do it) and get raped for food/drinks. On top of all that, you get to pay $10 per person, stand in lines, deal with the general public, and sit in nasty germ-ridden seats.
Save your money and get a good home theatre and save yourself the grief. Most decent home theatres give better viewing experiences that your typical cinema anyways. The only people that I see going to a show these days are loser young-adults that haven’t moved out of mommy and daddy’s house yet.
even the best cams are horrible. The only people who watch them are people who are either fanboys who are too excited to wait, but will probably go see it 10 times legally soon enough, or cheapskates who would never pay anyway.
@16 : Maybe you should goddamn think before you type: TS stands for TeleSync dumbo r3tardo.
Youre right about high quality camera though, usually all that means is it’s on a tripod.
@22 : John, you couldn’t sue them for asking you to leave after you refused a search. Fact is they can ask you to leave at any point as it’s private property.
Smash someone in the face – you’ll be charged with assault. Really you sound like a dreadful tryhard of about 15 years of age. The kind that gets picked on in high scholl who has to compensate by shwing how tough they are.
As to your alarm theory, they can make a citizens arrest. By the same token you can sue them if your not found guilty of an offence but the fact is they can stop you and potentially not face legal consequences.
ARRWWW MATEY! pirates are unstoppable
Yeah, it’s good living in Europe now. :D I watched the film last Monday.
Had I known my local theatre would have so low security I would have brought my own camera.
nothing can stop someone from having a “private” showing after everyone has gone home:) just me and a camera as my date..
It’s all very well the staff having goggles, but what about the staff who are camming?
You can use goggles to watch for others camming after you set up the camera you know…
Bond died after Connery
Brosnan was tolerable but this new prick is too annoying.
Again – to emphasise – this film is complete and utter rubbish. I have not seen it but I know this: it’s not a community driven project (with articulations for the individual artists as collective members and as proffered artisans – this is essential for a good film). Also it’s made by a “Big Studio” so it’s covered by copyright. The product (and yes, I use that word rather than art) is tainted by a desire to make money and recoup costs. No project, if it is to be considered art, should recoup costs – or in fact should it even be able to.
James Bond the character is a corrupt figure in itself. He works for governments making him an agent of evil. It garners well for “the establishment” when viewers are brainwashed by this character set and take their new found views out into the world to infect yet more people. Call it what you wish but it plain to all thinking people that this is a conspiracy, a sophisticated one that can only be exposed by the true thinkers of this world. I can see through it very easily indeed but I forgive others for not doing so – we can’t all be thinkers.
Roze
“people might consider a ‘cam’ as ‘exciting’” – enigmax
I consider ‘cams’ as ’shite poor quality tat’. They’re a waste of time in my opinion.
I have no life besides flaming tf. i need some pussy and a job don’t worry though bcause by next week i’ll get bored and flame spore forums blaming kiddies for the holocaust
““We have staff going in for the first 20 minutes with the goggles, and the last 15 minutes. They also make regular checks in between,” said Alan, adding, “We have also been searching people’s bags on the way in.””
Yes, because this makes me want to go see it in the theatre… I go to the movies to watch a movie, not to go through security, be searched, and then watched. I’ll just wait for a DVDrip instead.
cams are never good, i recorded a movie in theatres one time.
Rosty
http://5chan.ru
@ 16
You idiot, “TS = Theatre Screener ”
hahahahaha, it stands for Telesync actually. You don’t know anything about piracy clearly.
As far as I can tell the new Bond movie itself looks like a cam rip.
I have the English TS, it’s good but i will go see it on the BIG SCREEN. RIAA and similar don’t realize there are quite a few downloaders who still go to the BIG SCREEN, they’re too paranoid.
Civil rights, where did they go? Am I the only one that thinks its absolutely INSANE that they can do this shit to us, at a place that is meant to ENTERTAIN us? We are only seen as profit for them. Bags of meat with money.
James.Bond.Quantum.of.Solace.2008.PROPER.TS.LiNE.XviD-CiRCLE is rated 7.5/10 on VCDquality.com — which is very good for a release filmed off a cinema screen.
After all the dark & washed-out Batman releases, it’s nice to see something watchable finally being put out. And so soon. :)
“nothing can stop someone from having a “private” showing after everyone has gone home:) just me and a camera as my date..”
————————————–
Of course it’s just you and your camera on a date. You’re more than likely the prototypical loser pirate who can’t get dates with anything other than inanimate objects, lol.
Anybody saying cams are worthless is missing the point. Most people aren’t videophiles, so it doesn’t really matter to them how good the picture quality is as long as it’s discernable. Youtube, anyone?
Its so easy camming in my local cinema (UK), the staff are so laid back, I once saw someone recording a movie ,there were people all around but no one could care less.
“We have also been searching people’s bags on the way in.”
So now if I go to the pictures i’m going to be subjected to an illegal search am I? **** no! P2P all the way.
@46 : It’s only illegal if you don’t consent to it and they still do it. They have the right to refuse entry to anyone they wish on any grounds as it’s private property.
I tend to agree with you though – it’s way too much hassle. I’d stop going to the cinema… except I don’t go anyhow and havn’t gone for maybe 8 years or so. My properly calibrated, 2000 watt (+ dual 300watt powered subs) 7.1 surround sound & 72 inch inch plasma (with me 6 feet away) displaying 1080p Blu-Ray rips is a good subsitute: not quite the good cinema experience, but pretty close to it, enough for me anyhow.
Add the fact that I can drink, smoke, snack whenever I want, stop (rewind, slow it down etc. etc.) the thing, watch it when I like without travelling or waiting in lines and I don’t have to put up with heads in the way and peoples chip packets or mouths making noises and it’s a done deal: screw the cinema.
It’s not *quite* there but it’s good enough for me.
@16 : you sir are a capital R ret@rd. Your trying so hard to be a l33t pirate … yet you FAIL so badly it’s really not enough too call you a challenged child.
TS = telesync you sad ass excuse. “Theatre Screener”, what, do you just make up your own meanings for acronyms? I’ve never even heard that term before.
Now, to educate your crappy brain with true facts: listen and learn dumb@ss.
TS = telesync and it IS a cam you dumbf*ck. It is shot with a video camera. Telesync means the audio is not recorded with the camera mic, it’s taken from another source: various sources exist, as LD (line direct) and Line. It’s called this because the audio is synced to the video when the video and audio is put together.
Then you try to impress people by mentioning R5 and Screeners, well done, your a stupid person who thinks he know stuff but doesn’t.
@48 Call him a l33t pirate, i call you a lazy comment reader cause youre the third with the “same” comment.
You see, Bond is individual, Bond is maverick, Bond is trademarked. Quantum of Solace stands out on its own, or does it? When we have a new Bond:
http://www.medicultau.com/dieta-nutritie/cereale/index.php
@49 : call me lazy, I care not, I was civilly answering something addressed to me. Scum need to be put in their proper place.
BTW, your name sux.
I’ve seen the movie, and your not missing anuthing anyway. I thought the movie was rubbish.
http://www.aquariumfish.me
I wouldn’t pay to watch a fucking movie in cinema when they’re searching visitors bags and spying around.
Dumb fucktards, you can’t stop this just fucking go with it, there’s no fucking way to stop us.
Listen you know I was thinkin sorry, I dont need to be gettin all upset.
How about I take off my pants and you do me a couple rounds to bury the hatchet (Or bury your bone I should say)?
Friends?
Wow, so much impersonating going on, it’s all fun and games til someone gets hurt – eh Doggitty Don? Have some of your own medicine you w@nker.
The Pirate Bay sux dog poop.
Roze
Not good to cam in teathre
Mary
http://5chan.ru/b/
I knew a manager of a small movie theater once and he would invite people over after hours to party and watch movies.
By the way, that move sucks. Casino Royale wasn’t too bad.
We are sure that most people that are involved in the Film Passion prefer to see the real thing on the big screen rather then on a camera.
Trigeia Twinz
What’s Your Passion ?
http://www.TrigeiaBlog.com
They tried to do the night vision goggles thing in Sweden too.
http://www.universalexports.net/007news/2008/11/bondian-techniques-used-to-combat-quantum-of-solace-piracy/
its great even bloggers like http://www.filenest.com/ have it on their front page . there is no limit people
Ha Ha ha ha ha, stupid MPAA! Ha ha ha ha youll never stop it!
jess
http://www.anolite.echoz.com
Based on metacritic so far Quantum is generic Bond action without Casino Royal’s humor. Too bad, but all the more reason to see it in a theatre
Well I use my cam to record me and my lovers “sessions”. Why waste your film on Hollywood I say.
Rose
I use to work at a movie theater….management would allow us to screen movies days in advance after all the patrons left the building for the night. We use to smoke weed and drink….good times.
Fact is that movie theaters are petty minimum-wage jobs. If you want employees to take your piracy concerns seriously, you better start treating them better first
Quantum of Solace is entertaining at least… a lot of high quality visuals, but the movie as a whole could stand to lose six or seven fewer chase scenes http://www.kogmedia.com
A large part of the reason this was out so early is probably that it was released in China a week before it was released in the states.
Because Chinese theaters do not examine bags (or anything else). Recording a movie in a Chinese theater is beyond easy.
Arrgh!
Death to the Jewboy land lubbers that Capt’n ye Film Industry poop sloop.
May they suck my on me mizzenmast as I jib their poop deck with me yard arm!
Arr mateys! Break out the grog and sing our chanty, blast yer bellows!!
What shall we do with a broke RiSAY?
What shall we do with a broke RiSAY?
What shall we do with a broke RiSAY?
Earl-eye in th front row!
Bend them over and roger him jolly!
Bend them over and roger him jolly!
Bend them over and roger him jolly!
Bend them over and roger him jolly early-eye in the morn’n!
Harrrr! Feck ye Jewbboys all!
or just live too far to get to a decent theater to see the movie and vow to buy the dvd when it is released in those far places.
FarAWAY
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