MPAA Goes After Home Entertainment Systems

philba writes to tell us that home theaters may become the new jurisdiction of our MPAA overlords. The MPAA is lobbying to make sure that home users authorize their entertainment systems before any in-home viewings. From the article: "The MPAA defines a home theater as any home with a television larger than 29" with stereo sound and at least two comfortable chairs, couch, or futon. Anyone with a home theater would need to pay a $50 registration fee with the MPAA or face fines up to $500,000 per movie shown."

The disgrace of it all

[linuxci]

It's a disgrace that the MPAA are doing this, who says it's up to them to control what we do in our own home. Does it matter if we're watching it on a 14" screen or a 40" screen or even on an iPod?? The MPAA have gone too far with this, I'm packing up and moving to a country where this can't happen. I bet Microsoft will support this move.

Oh wait, it's satire :) Still, these sites shouldn't give the MPAA any ideas.

yawn

[rm999]

Bbspot is a satire site. This story is not real. I would have more of a sense of humor about it if the story was actually funny.

Satire?

[ddent]

This is satire, right? Right? Please say its satire.

Re:Yay for joke sites submitted as news!

[Saib0t]

You know, you really should warn us of the site you're sending us to in these kinds of cases.

"from the jokes-that-some-people-just-wont-get dept." and the foot icon "it's funny, laugh" should be more than enough for everyone. Except the blind ;-)

We're all dooooomed?

[Anonymous Coward]

Given that other articles linked to from BBSpot's site have taglines such as "Microsoft Purchases Evil From Satan", "MPAA to Thwart Pirates by Making All Movies Suck" and "RIAA Wants Background Check on CD-RW Buyers", I think we're all probably safe for a bit longer.

Seriously guys, ever heard of "Satire"?

Re:Yay for joke sites submitted as news!

[MightyYar]

They only do this once a week max. Just don't click on the stories with the Monty Python foot.

Re:Yay for joke sites submitted as news!

[MightyYar]

No icon, but the feed says:

<dc:subject>humor</dc:subject>
<slash:department> jokes-that-some-people-just-wont-get</slash:depart ment>

Straight from the horse's mouth

[Anonymous Coward]

At http://www.mpaa.org/Public_Performance.asp [mpaa.org], it says:

"Suppose you invite a few personal friends over for dinner and a movie. You purchase or rent a copy of a movie from the local video store and view the film in your home that night. Have you violated the copyright law by illegally 'publicly performing' the movie? Probably not."

and

"The Federal Copyright Act (Title 17 of the U.S. Code) governs how copyrighted materials, such as movies, may be used. Neither the rental nor the purchase of a movie carries with it the right to show the movie outside the home. In some instances no license is required to view a movie, such as inside the home by family or social acquaintances and in certain narrowly defined face-to-face teaching activities. Taverns, restaurants, private clubs, prisons, lodges, factories, summer camps, public libraries, daycare facilities, parks and recreation departments, churches and non-classroom use at schools and universities are all examples of situations where a public performance license must be obtained. This legal requirement applies regardless of whether an admission fee is charged, whether the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit, or whether a federal or state agency is involved."

As expected, though, they've included the necessary CYA phrases like "probably" and "in some instances".

Good satire

[Per Abrahamsen]

It seems to pass the first test of good satire, it is close enough that some people mistake it for reality. Obvious satire is pointless and boring.

Showing of Movies for fundraisers, etc..

[jaredmauch]

Actually, it's fairly easy to gain permission to show a MPAA movie in your school, or even for a fundraiser. I've been involved with a few groups in the past where we've done this. You show the movie for "free" and then sell the popcorn. First, you get out your word processor, write a letter explaining what you are doing and kindly asking for permission. You'd be shocked at the response you may get when trying to do something like a Boy Scouts, etc.. fundraiser. It's not that hard, you just have to write a letter, not be trying to make a profit and plan ahead. You can even pay for the problem to go away with some services [movlic.com] that will do the legwork for you, but then it will cost you more than a stamp and your time.

Re:MPAA: So retarded this stuff's actually plausib

[dragonrl]

google and you shall receive: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Online 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90067 Telephone: [phone] International Callers: [phone] Fax: [phone]