CCTVs to keep tabs on film pirates
By Tong Jia Han
my paper
Monday, Apr 16, 2012
Cinema operators told my paper that they have begun installing closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras not just in the common spaces of their cineplexes, but in movie halls as well, citing security and movie piracy as reasons for doing so.
Over the last two years, film distributor and movie-theatre chain Shaw Theatres has installed CCTV cameras in all its newly established and renovated multiplexes, such as JCube and Lido.
Lido, located in Shaw House in Orchard Road, re-opened after renovation works in May last year while JCube, a mall in Jurong East where the cineplex is located, opened on April 5.
Mr Terence Heng, vice-president of media for Shaw Theatres, said that the CCTV cameras are meant mainly for anti-piracy purposes.
"However, we also realised that they allow us to troubleshoot (in the event of) any disputes involving cinema operations or customers," he said.
"Only authorised personnel have access to the CCTVs and their footage," he added.
Mr Heng said there are plans to have CCTV cameras installed at all seven of Shaw's multiplexes in due course.
The CCTV cameras have also in police investigations into one case so far, he said, without providing details.
A spokesman for leisure and entertainment group Cathay Organisation Holdings said that CCTV cameras are installed on their premises, especially at entrances, exits and in projection rooms.
The spokesman added that night-vision binoculars are also used to monitor piracy activities.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) reported that about 90 per cent of newly released movies that are pirated can be traced to thieves who use digital recording devices in cinemas.
Mr Edward Neubronner, vice-president and regional operations officer of MPA Asia Pacific, said: "Despite measures to inform moviegoers that the use of recording devices is prohibited in cinemas, we still see cases involving students or foreign nationals caught using their mobile phones to record.
"It is of paramount importance to the local film industry that measures to deter illegal camcording remain a priority."
Some cinema patrons are uneasy over the move.
School teacher Chue Weng Fai, 32, said: "It seems like an invasion of privacy and feels strange knowing that there are cameras watching your every move."
Secretary Philicia Mok, 38, felt that the use of CCTV cameras to curb piracy would have limited success. She said: "There are many ways to skin a cat. People will still find a way to steal content if they want to."
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For more my paper stories click here.
By Tong Jia Han
my paper
Monday, Apr 16, 2012
Cinema operators told my paper that they have begun installing closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras not just in the common spaces of their cineplexes, but in movie halls as well, citing security and movie piracy as reasons for doing so.
Over the last two years, film distributor and movie-theatre chain Shaw Theatres has installed CCTV cameras in all its newly established and renovated multiplexes, such as JCube and Lido.
Lido, located in Shaw House in Orchard Road, re-opened after renovation works in May last year while JCube, a mall in Jurong East where the cineplex is located, opened on April 5.
Mr Terence Heng, vice-president of media for Shaw Theatres, said that the CCTV cameras are meant mainly for anti-piracy purposes.
"However, we also realised that they allow us to troubleshoot (in the event of) any disputes involving cinema operations or customers," he said.
"Only authorised personnel have access to the CCTVs and their footage," he added.
Mr Heng said there are plans to have CCTV cameras installed at all seven of Shaw's multiplexes in due course.
The CCTV cameras have also in police investigations into one case so far, he said, without providing details.
A spokesman for leisure and entertainment group Cathay Organisation Holdings said that CCTV cameras are installed on their premises, especially at entrances, exits and in projection rooms.
The spokesman added that night-vision binoculars are also used to monitor piracy activities.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) reported that about 90 per cent of newly released movies that are pirated can be traced to thieves who use digital recording devices in cinemas.
Mr Edward Neubronner, vice-president and regional operations officer of MPA Asia Pacific, said: "Despite measures to inform moviegoers that the use of recording devices is prohibited in cinemas, we still see cases involving students or foreign nationals caught using their mobile phones to record.
"It is of paramount importance to the local film industry that measures to deter illegal camcording remain a priority."
Some cinema patrons are uneasy over the move.
School teacher Chue Weng Fai, 32, said: "It seems like an invasion of privacy and feels strange knowing that there are cameras watching your every move."
Secretary Philicia Mok, 38, felt that the use of CCTV cameras to curb piracy would have limited success. She said: "There are many ways to skin a cat. People will still find a way to steal content if they want to."
[email protected]
For more my paper stories click here.
