Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

MPAA Ruins Own Films As Anti-Piracy Measure

Posted by Hemos on from the if-i-can't-have-it-no-one-will dept.

WCityMike writes "Steve Kraus, a Chicago film projectionist, noted in this week's Movie Answer Man column that movie studios are quite purposefully putting 'large reddish brown spots that flash in the middle of the picture, usually placed in a light area' in order to ruin computer-compressed pirated copies of films. Among recent films that feature these spots are 'Ali,' 'Behind Enemy Lines,' '28 Days Later,' 'Freddy vs. Jason' and 'Underworld.' (I guess they had to destroy the movies in order to save them ... )"

2 of 732 comments (clear)

  1. OB South Park Quote by Kelz · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Jimbo: So you see kids, we have to kill these animals, or else they'll die!
    (Ned takes a flamethrower to about 30 deer)
    Jimbo: Good job Ned! Way to thin out their numbers!

  2. Sounds like "bulb burn" by nedron · · Score: 1, Offtopic
    This sounds suspiciously like a print that has been run too many times through a projector whose lamphouse isn't adjusted properly.

    If the lamphouse is running too hot (say someone changed the bulb and forgot to drop the output of the rectifier), then the print will get a nice "blob" in the middle. It's actually more noticeable in dark areas, but this still sounds like it.

    Given that distribution houses routinely mix and match film reels in order to get a shippable unit together, I can see where it would be easy to get one bad real out of 5.

    -David

    --


    * As is generally the case, my opinions do not reflect those of my employer.