Studios Cracking Down on Video Pirates

HOLLYWOOD, August 23, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- The motion picture industry is using high-tech night vision devices in order to monitor movie audiences.

The infra red night scope allows officials to see everything going on inside of a darkened theatre so that they can catch video pirates in the act.

Piracy is a felony and in Downtown L.A. police have raided counterfeiters selling pirated movies. Authorities just made a $10 million bust of counterfeit films Wednesday.

Many of the movies are ones that just opened in theatres.

Officials say that in many cases criminals can turn a film around in less than 24 hours. With the latest advances in cell phones, it is becoming harder to catch those illegally recording first run movies.

That is where night vision devices are key. Theatres across the country are now using them.

"We're able to monitor the audience during the showing of the film and there are certain things we look for. There are certain cues that say that this guy or gal is going to be a problem," says Andy Lamprey, Security Consultant.

"We lose about $7 billion annually. And as you know this industry here in Hollywood is $600 billion industry, but we lose jobs," says Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA).

This is certainly a serious concern in Hollywood. Members of Congress held a town hall meeting Thursday morning to talk about piracy and to see what Washington can do to help this growing problem.

Experts say that the night vision devices are having an impact. Some theatres are beginning to ban cell phones in an attempt to cut down on the illegal recording of films inside movies theatres.

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