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MPAA Bans Google Glass In Theaters

An anonymous reader writes: The Motion Picture Association of America, along with the National Association of Theater Owners, have banned Google Glass and similar devices from being in movie theaters. They said, "As part of our continued efforts to ensure movies are not recorded in theaters, however, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward using any recording device while movies are being shown. As has been our long-standing policy, all phones must be silenced and other recording devices, including wearable devices, must be turned off and put away at show time. Individuals who fail or refuse to put the recording devices away may be asked to leave." This is a change from the MPAA's stance earlier this year that Glass was "no threat" in terms of copyright infringement. A spokesman said the ban is geared toward combating more sophisticated wearables in the future.

13 of 357 comments (clear)

  1. No sympathy for either side by msobkow · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't like people being able to surreptitiously record things; I don't like the MPAA or RIAA on principle alone (they're leaches sucking blood from the artists.)

    So I've no sympathy for either side in this debate. I think they're both wrong.

    --
    I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
  2. Smart phones still acceptable. by The+Good+Reverend · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So I can't use Google Glass, but I'm free to bring in my smart phone, which has an HD camera and likely better quality? Good work there, MPAA.

  3. Anyone still going to the movies? by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Waiting half an hour to buy a ticket for about ten bucks, then suffering for 3 hours in 100+ degrees heat to ensure you need to buy something to drink, sitting and standing in the leftovers of the previous show and getting to choose to either not understanding any dialogue or getting a tinnitus from explosions and music (or rather, having that choice being made for you)...

    Seriously? Anyone still masochist enough for that "authentic experience"?

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    1. Re:Anyone still going to the movies? by ortholattice · · Score: 5, Funny

      Waiting half an hour to buy a ticket [...]

      "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded." - Yogi Berra

    2. Re:Anyone still going to the movies? by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 5, Funny

      Waiting half an hour to buy a ticket for about ten bucks, then suffering for 3 hours in 100+ degrees heat

      We should go see the Wizard of Oz to add some more strawman to this argument.

      --
      My God, it's Full of Source!
      OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  4. Re:for once I agree with the MPAA by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can't we put MPAA lawyers and Google Glass enthusiasts into one room and have them duke it out?

    Whoever loses. We win.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  5. Re:how is this news by houstonbofh · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Other recording devices have not had perscription lenses.
    "I am sorry but you have to take off your glasses to see the movie."
    "If I take off my glasses, I can not SEE the movie!"

    Yet another reason to watch movies at home.

  6. Re:Laywer fight by SenatorPerry · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Just to add,

    This isn't a future issue. I have prescription frames that I use with my Google Glass. Those glasses are my only glasses with my current prescription. The Google Glass is actually one arm of the frame, so you can't remove it and still use the glasses. To tell me that I can not wear the Google Glass in the theatre means that it would eliminate my mechanism to correct my near-sightedness.

    I am happy to turn the Glass off at a movie. I do the same at other performances that do not allow videos/photos. My cellphone is turned off. Why do I have to remove my glasses completely? It is okay though. I will stay at home instead. Someday we all will have something similar to Google Glass. It may not seem like it and it may have to come from someone other than Google, but the experience and benefits will one day compel us all as the cell phone does today.

  7. Re:Not a Fan of Google Glass, But... by Zalbik · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How dare they try to protect themselves from theft...

    Copyright infringement is not theft.

    Stop referring to it as such.

    Or the terrorists win.

  8. Re:Laywer fight by Holi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wait you could afford a $1500 Google Glass but you cannot afford a set of normal frames? You sir have screwed up priorities.

    --
    Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
  9. Re:I dunno what's worse... by Bill_the_Engineer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    if I were tossed out for Google Glass I would basically require them to call the police.

    So instead of politely putting your google glass in your shirt pocket and wearing normal glasses, you'd rather make an ass out of yourself and get the police involved? I may be able to see your point if they just arbitrarily picked you out of a crowd, but if they went through the trouble of placing signs up at the entrance informing you of their restrictions then I'll have to side with them.

    By having the sign out front saying no recording devices, you made an educated decision to use the theater instead of looking for a different theater that is more lenient or waiting for the movie to come out for home viewing. You making an ass out of yourself won't change the theater's policy, but loss of admissions will.

    --
    These comments are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or colleagues...
  10. Re:I suppose this means... by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure you can. Just slip the projector girl $20 and you're golden. They're paid so poorly, they're probably let you set the theater on fire for another $10.

  11. Re:how is this news by Jethro · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'm pretty sure they'd ask you to remove your GoPro-equipped helmet, too.

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    In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is kinky.