Staff on alert for criminals ‘stealing’ blockbusters via image-capturing specs
Staff on alert for criminals ‘stealing’ blockbusters via image-capturing specs
Google Glass has just gone on sale in the UK for £1,000 and if you’ve bought one make sure you don’t wear them to the cinema.
These wearable devices let you check your email, access the internet and take video and this last feature has alarmed cinema owners. Criminal gangs could use Glass to distribute pirate copies of blockbuster movies. They have reason to be cautious as around 90% of all illegally copied films is from recording in cinemas (apparently).
However, it is unlikely that anyone with this intention could record a whole movie because the batteries in Glass only last around 45 minutes but this can be easily remedied by multiple trips to the cinema or multiple recorders.
A Google spokesperson said:
“We recommend any cinemas concerned about Glass to treat the device as they treat similar devices like mobile phones: simply ask wearers to turn it off before the film starts. Broadly speaking, we also think it’s best to have direct and first-hand experience with Glass before creating policies around it. The fact that Glass is worn above the eyes and the screen lights up whenever it’s activated makes it a fairly lousy device for recording things secretly.”
Google have also issued an etiquette guide to prevent wearers becoming “glassholes”. It reads: “If you’re asked to turn your phone off, turn Glass off as well.”
Is this fair or has the problem been blown out of proportion? We’d love to hear your opinion.
Source: www.independent.co.uk
