film theft

This page is intended to provide practical guidance and resources to help you tackle the problem of film theft in your cinema.

 

 

Crimestoppers number

 

There is a dedicated Crimestoppers number on which you or your staff can report any suspicious activity around film theft. The number is 0845 603 4567.

 

You might ensure that this is circulated to staff and readily at hand.

 

 

FACT reward scheme

 

Given the importance the industry attaches to the issue of the illegal recording of films in cinema theatres, FACT and the FDA have established a reward scheme whereby cinema staff who prevent and report a camcording incident or other attempt illegally to record a film can receive a cash reward. Recognising the particular vulnerability of films during the summer months, for the period 25th April 2011 to 31st August 2011 an enhanced award of up to £1000 will be available. 

 

A number of the circuits have taken the decision to match any reward given.

 

A poster advertising the current enhanced award scheme can be downloaded here.

 
Further details on this are available at the FACT film theft website.
 
 
Cinema signage
 
The CEA has produced and distributed to independent members a large number of pieces of signage for use at their sites, advising customers of the potential consequences of attempts to record any part of a film at that cinema. A copy of the signage can be see here .
 
If any CEA member wants further copies of these signs - which come in A5 and A4 sizes and are printed on rigid plastic - they should contact the CEA at info@cinemauk.org.uk
 
 
Print security
 
Since Christmas there have been three separate attempts by individuals to obtain digital hard drives from cinemas.

In each case a male has presented himself to the cinema, claiming to be there to collect the drive for a cross-over. In each case he has not had formal ID or any of the necessary paperwork, and when challenged has made his excuses and left. Subsequent checks in each case have confirmed that he was bogus.

These incidents have not been focused on one location, having taken place in both the South East and Yorkshire. Coupled with the theft of 35mm reels from a locked car during the same period, this reinforces the need for all relevant staff please to be reminded of the need to check and confirm the identity of all delivery drivers/couriers etc before allowing them access to any print or digital file.

As always, should you have any suspicions about activity in and around any of your sites, the FACT cinema investigator Simon Brown can be contacted on 07920 725725.
 
 
Vulnerable Release Alerts

 

Particular films are especially vulnerable to film theft, for example where they are released first in the UK or where they are particularly high profile and therefore especially valuable to film thieves. Acting on intelligence, FACT issues 'Vulnerable Release Alerts' (VRAs) alerting cinema operators to upcoming films around which security should be particularly tight.

 

The most recent VRAs were for the following films: 

 

"Chronicle" (Twentieth Century Fox) opens on Wednesday 1st February. This is a UK first release with other territories including the US following the day after onwards. It is therefore considered to be at VERY HIGH RISK of illegal camcording/recording in UK cinemas.

 

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (Warner Bros) also opens on Friday 16 December 2011. This is a day and date release with a limited number of other territories and is therefore considered to be at VERY HIGH RISK of illegal camcording/recording in UK cinemas.

 

Cinemas playing these films are are asked to consider whether to increase security and to advise greater staff vigilance and ensure staff are in any case aware of the FACT Best Practice guide in terms of dealing with potential offenders, further details of which are below. The use of night vision devices where available is also encouraged, particularly over the first three days of release.

 

Cinemas are also reminded of the dedicated Crimestoppers number on which staff can report any suspicious activity - 0845 603 4567.

 

In addition, where there is a suspicion of illegal activity, Simon Brown, the FACT Cinema Investigator, can be contacted at any time on 07920 725725.

 

 

Anti-film theft resources

 

This link allows you to download a presentation on camcording in cinemas prepared by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT). This provides advice on the signs to look for, and what to do, if you suspect film theft is taking place in your cinema.

 

Below are further links which will allow you to download film theft guidance documents prepared by FACT in consultation with the CEA and the Film Distributors' Association (FDA). Given their content, please do not distribute these publications other than to trusted contacts.

 

'Camcording and Illegal Recording - Best Practices to Prevent Film Theft', revised edition April 2010.

 

'Camcording and Illegal Recording - Advice for Police', revised edition April 2010.

 

Hard copies of all of these documents are available from the CEA office. Please contact us.

 

The equipment used by 'professional' film thieves is often very sophisticated and expensive. But such are the potential rewards on offer for an early, high quality, copy of a new release that they will readily abandon such equpment if they suspect they are under surveillance or about to be discovered. The photos here show some of the types of equipment commonly used.

 

 

Reporting form

 

Should you or any of your staff witness any suspicious activity or an attempt to illegally record a film in a cinema theatre, please complete the reporting form here and return it to camcording@fact-uk.org.uk or fax to 020 8560 6364 .

 

 

We will continue to update and revise this section over time. If you cannot find what you are looking for, or would like to see other related material included, than please contact us.