Slashdot Mirror
Polish Fans Held By Police For Movie Translations
michuk writes "Nine people involved in a community portal Napisy.org were held for questioning by the Polish police forces this Wednesday. They will be probably be accused of publishing illegal translations of foreign movies (which is forbidden by Polish copyright law). Napisy.org website was shut down immediately afterwards by the German forces (since the servers were located in Germany). The service was the most popular Polish on-line portal where users were free to submit translated subtitles for popular movies. 'According to Polish copyright law any "processing" of others' content including translating is prohibited without permission. The people held (aged 20 - 30) were questioned on Wednesday and Thursday and then allowed to leave. In case of being accused of illegal publishing of copyrighted material, they can spend in jail up to 2 years (in the worst case).'"
This has to be a bad Polack joke. I bet they arrest signers for the deaf at concerts, too.
What about playing that game where you turn down the volume and do pornographic voiceovers?
Officer: Ok, come along nice and easy and nobody will get hurt.
Fan: Geck, wo ist mein Auto?
Officer: Suspect appears to be armed with translated movie quotes, shoot on site!
Vee vere invited, punch vas served. Check vit Poland.
So these guys enabled people to be able understand what the characters are saying in a movie.
I can see why this would be a threat to Hollywood.
After all, who will want to see the bulk of these films when it becomes common knowledge that behind the beautiful people and gorgeous back drops are atrocious dialogue and paint-by-numbers plots.
Fortunately, Polish authorities didn't realize they locked these fans on the outside of the jail cells at the same time trapping the police inside and the fans just ended up walking away.
...the movies translate you.