As Hollywood readies itself for today's Academy Awards, movie fans are scrambling to see the films nominated for Oscars.
Some are going to theatres, but many others are watching the movies online and often from illegal downloads.
The Motion Picture Association of America says digital watermarks have helped protect the content on preview DVDs, but pirates are capturing films on sophisticated camcorders in movie theatres and posting them online.
It's costing the studios billions of dollars in lost ticket sales, and head Christopher Dodd says it also threatening the livelihoods of the 2 million Americans who work in the industry.
Some of the watching is happening at website Popcorn Time, which offers free streaming – including of Academy Award contenders and movies still in theatres. The MPAA says it's illegal theft of content, but Popcorn Time refuses to stop.
Watch the video for the full story.
source: newshub archive
