AFACT LAUNCHES WEB APP TO HELP PREVENT ILLEGAL CAMCORDING IN CINEMAS
New multi-lingual tool provides easily accessible ‘how to’ tips for cinema staff on smart phones and tablets.
- 13Dec 2012
HONG KONG/SYDNEY: The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) has launched the latest application designed to prevent illegal camcording in cinemas. Make A Difference (MAD4) includes a multi-lingual interactive web application compatible with iOS and Android smart phones and tablets, allowing it to be used in cinemas across the Asia Pacific. The new web application is designed to educate cinema staff about the impact that illegal camcording has on the exhibition industry and what cinema staff can do about it.
The MAD4 web application was introduced to representatives of the Asia Pacific exhibition and distribution community during CineAsia, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. CineAsia is the only international convention dedicated to Asian cinema exhibition and distribution and is now in its 18th year.
The MAD4 web application has an online reporting platform that provides an easier, immediate and more streamlined way of reporting incidents of camcording. Staff can easily enter information about the camcording incident on their iPhone, iPad or Android device, and submit it directly to their local MPA affiliated office for follow up and further investigation.
Neil Gane, Managing Director AFACT, said: “It’s difficult to understate the sterling work done by cinema staff in the prevention of camcording in their cinemas. Their diligence has contributed to a healthier exhibition industry, and they are to be applauded for their commitment. We hope that this new anti-camcording application proves to be a useful tool in the ongoing campaign to keep our cinemas free of any incident of illegal recordings.”
Commenting on the launch of the MAD4 web application, Michael Hawkins, Executive Director of the National Association of Cinema Operators (NACO), said, “The role cinema staff play in preventing pirated copies of new release films from being camcorded and uploaded to the internet, is a crucial one. AFACT’s Make A Difference anti-camcording initiative has proved to be a great success since its introduction four years ago, and this new web application will assist cinema staff throughout the region by having an information source and a reporting mechanism at their fingertips.”
Along with anti-camcording training videos, resources and information, the new MAD4 web application introduces an online anti-camcording quiz for cinema staff, who are encouraged to take the quick test as part of their induction training. It ensures that cinema staff understand the impact of camcording on the screen community, what steps they can take to prevent it, and what to do when they detect someone illegally recording in cinemas.
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Protecting and promoting the screen community in Australia
AFACT works closely with industry, government and enforcement agencies to address copyright theft and protect the interests of the film and television community as well as the interests of Australian movie fans.
In August 2012, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released The Economic Contribution of Australia’s Copyright Industries 1996-97 to 2010-11, prepared for the Australian Copyright Council. The report made the following key findings:
1. 906,591 people were employed in the copyright industries, representing 8% of the Australian workforce.
2. The copyright industries generated an economic value of $93.2 billion, the equivalent of 6.6 % of gross domestic product (GDP).
3. The copyright industries generated just over $7 billion in exports, equal to 2.9% of total exports.
