London, Innit

Unbelievably insulting copyright notices

These unbelievably insulting copyright notices run before every film in London. They invite audience members to snitch on each other if they suspect that someone is making an illicit recording of a movie, and threaten arrest for using a camera.

You know, illicit recordings are made by an unmeasurably small fraction of the moviegoing public. Most of us pay our (insanely high) ticket prices, watch the (interminable) ads, and then enjoy the film we paid for. Subjecting us all to this stupid, insulting lecture to go after a statistically insignificant percentage of infringers is unforgiveably arrogant.

I took a flash picture of this tonight in Leisceter Square and got a round of applause. I think I'll do it every time. I hope others do, too. Posted by Cory Doctorow at May 8, 2004 10:29 PM | TrackBack