logo Sign In

none

User Group
Members
Join date
1-Aug-2004
Last activity
12-Nov-2023
Posts
3,875

Post History

Post
#509003
Topic
The Secret History of Star Wars
Time

zombie84 wrote: I have a feeling the copyright depository doesn't have very good storage conditions (otherwise why create the NFR?).

http://www.loc.gov/rr/mopic/mpcc.html

The Library of Congress Motion Picture Conservation Center

It is the mission of the Library of Congress Motion Picture Conservation Center to actively conserve, preserve and restore the Nation's motion picture heritage in the collections of the Library of Congress's Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (M/B/RS). Since the early 1970's, the Library of Congress has maintained an active film preservation program. It is currently the only such program in the United States funded primarily with public monies.

In the late 1960's, the Library began storing much of its nitrate film archive at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, located just northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The Air Force offered the Library the use of its motion picture facility, which included 100 purpose- built nitrate storage vaults.

By the early 1970's, the Library was involved in a cooperative project with the American Film Institute (AFI) and was accepting large gift collections of nitrate film from many of Hollywood's major studios. These included Columbia, Universal, Warner Brothers, and MGM. Today, under the stewardship of M/B/RS, the nitrate film holdings, dating from the 1890's through 1950, exceed 100 million feet.

The Motion Picture Conservation Center at Wright-Patterson AFB now consists of two primary facilities, the Film Vaults and the Motion Picture Preservation Laboratory. The Center currently has 20 full and part-time employees, almost half of which are paid for through the use of Gifts and Trust funds.

The Film Vaults facility provides safe storage for the highly flammable nitrate film by maintaining the environment at a temperature of 52 to 55 degrees fahrenheit and a relative humidity between 35 and 40 percent. Additional safety features include special double doors which will automatically close in the event of a fire, and blow out panels which would help to direct the flames and smoke from a fire away from the other vaults.

The facility's 100 vaults are separated in half by a central corridor, with all doors opening towards the corridor. Each vault can hold up to 1000 or more reels of nitrate film stored in metal cans on cores. All films are stored flat (not on edge), the current recommended practice for archiving master material.

The Motion Picture Preservation Laboratory moved to Dayton from Washington in 1981. It consists of a nitrate vault for the temporary storage of film as it is being preserved, along with nitrate preparation, timing, printing, developing and viewing facilities. Most of the equipment in the Laboratory has been modified in order to properly copy the aging and shrunken nitrate films. In addition, full immersion printers are used in order to photographically conceal the scratches and other base defects found on old films. All black and white films are developed in- house, while color developing is handled under contract at a commercial laboratory.

The Conservation Center has completed a number of major film restorations over the past few years. These include MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939), THE MALTESE FALCON (1941), and WITHIN OUR GATES (1920), the oldest surviving feature film directed by an African-American. Current restoration efforts include MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN (1936) and the entire Paper Print Collection, which is being remastered onto 35mm film.

The movie studios are moving their resources to work in conjunction with the LoC, besides a few private collectors these LoC locations are probably the better storage places around.

 

 

My opinion is the NFR (National Film Registry) was a gift from Congress after the creators who went to Congress to amend copyright law in the 80s lost their claim.  As compensation they created this award thing.  "These people say your movie is popular, can we get a second copy, please."

The LoC is only as good as the works given to it by the original creators.  Back in the 80s that meant a print which had been shown in theaters for 3-6 months.  See RotJ submittal date.  Since this was the common practice, this is a second chance for popular films from that time period.

Post
#508888
Topic
The Secret History of Star Wars
Time

captainsolo wrote: Why would they have no 1983 print of ROTJ?

Who said they didn't?  This is the second time someone's said that, and the LoC records state otherwise:

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-coming-to-Blu-Ray-UPDATE-May-4th-2011/post/473211/#TopicPost473211

Here's the LOC 'Return of the Jedi' public record:

http://lccn.loc.gov/96501520

Under 'Description; you'll read 35mm ref print.  and under 'Acquisition Source' the date 6/15/83.

Post
#508787
Topic
Complete Comparison of Special Edition Visual Changes
Time

ray_afraid wrote: There has to be an explanation to justify the time and money spent, right?

Well going by the evolution maybe John Williams is the complainer. (kiddin' of course but...)  In the first version he's given a scrolling credit with the London Symphony right up close.  The "second" version has Williams with some breathing space between him and the symphony, then going to ESB he gets his own stationary credit, then a few seconds later the symphony shows up.  The record was a huge seller why not reward that in the credits revisions.

Post
#508760
Topic
Complete Comparison of Special Edition Visual Changes
Time

Moth3r wrote:  I can understand the GOUT having the 1977 crawl with the 1981 credits, but why would the MBJ/Starkiller version be the same?

Yeah I jumped to a faulty conclusion.  The variables are pre-post Episode Crawl, and spaced-unspaced Credits, but they don't necessarily always stay together.  Could this be linked to maybe the 35/70mm or foreign/domestic versions?  Wasn't there the initial opening day versions and maybe when they ran off more prints as popularity grew they tossed on a new set of credits?  *EDIT* but that doesn't explain why the 16mm version would have the older credit version...

*EDIT* There was the Directors Guild of America credit dispute during ESB, could there have been another one earlier which LFL gave into, and this is the result?

Post
#508580
Topic
Star Wars coming to Blu Ray (UPDATE: August 30 2011, No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!)
Time

zombie84 wrote: But the thing is, just because a new 1997 or 2004 copyright is registered, the old ones doesn't go away--

Right they don't go away because they have nothing to do with each other, in the eyes of copyright law.  Like every sperm every copyright is sacred and independent.  The Special Editions weren't second republishings of a novel, they were registered as distinct new works.  (the LoC is not there to agree or disagree with this idea) 

From another thread, the changes to the Hobbit book post LotR, might make for a parallel.  Don't know off hand if they have different copyright publishing dates.  *poking around*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit  (See Revisions)

Lucas might have used this as a guide.  Hobbit 37 is the original.  In 51 changes are made which equal the 81 SW, but no new copyright.  Then to gain new market dominance, in 1966 'the Hobbit' becomes 'The Hobbit : The Authorized Edition'.  It is maybe note worthy that my 80s copy mentions 37, 38 & 66, while SWSE became something new entirely.  Old trick new spin.

Baronlando wrote: My first thought was that actually supports the kooky Marcia Lucas theory, (since she'd be entitled to half of "STAR WARS-1977" but not "Star Wars Episode IV A NEW HOPE -1997".)

"How did the Special Editions affect your existence?"  Is a semi-benign way of asking the 'how much money did you make' question...

Post
#508552
Topic
Star Wars coming to Blu Ray (UPDATE: August 30 2011, No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!)
Time

zombie84 wrote: Otherwise, they would technically have to have had a 1981 copyright date in there too, at some point, right?

They should have. (according to me, myself and I)  A Change is a Change.  The Crawl change we all around here would consider to be 'Significant' but for the LoC of 81 it might have been considered minor, and flew under the radar.  But it's not the LoC's job to check these things, they are there to collect and protect.  They don't have the resources to check these things, and it's not their job.  It's the honor system.  Which is why in the few contacts we've had with them they've set out the challenge (of sorts) for us to come on down and verify what they've received. 

The SE upside for LFL is that it allowed them to modify where the newly received funds went.  Partly for the benefit of those who helped create the upgrade but also as you wrote, to modify old agreements which didn't fare the tests of time.

Probably some class action lawsuit for the 81 copyright...  Should we use 'Lump Sum Cash Now' JG Wentworth or one of the asbestos law firms...

Post
#508519
Topic
Star Wars coming to Blu Ray (UPDATE: August 30 2011, No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!)
Time

zombie84 in avsforum wrote: The SE, unfortunately, shares the same copyright, because they chose not to file an additional copyright but instead filed it under the original one.

I don't think this is the case.  Here are the LoC SE records:

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Save-Star-Wars-Dot-Com/post/461093/#TopicPost461093

 

Here are the Special Edition Library of Congress records:

 

1997 - Star Wars A New Hope Special Edition
http://lccn.loc.gov/97510343

Acquisition Source:    Received: 4-1-1997; viewing print; copyright deposit--RNR; Copyright Collection.

 

1997 - Empire Strikes Back Special Edition
http://lccn.loc.gov/98502262

Acquisition Source:    Received: 3/17/97; ref print; copyright deposit--RNR; Copyright Collection.

 

1997 - Return of the Jedi Special Edition
http://lccn.loc.gov/2006642053

Acquisition Source:    Received: 5/23/1997; viewing print; copyright deposit--RNR; Copyright Collection.

and in those records is the statement:

Edition Special edition / producer, Rick McCallum ; editor, T.M. Christopher ; sound designer, Ben Burtt ; photographer-editor, Brian Q. Kelley ; visual effects art director, TyRuben Ellingson, Mark Moore ; visual effects producer, Ned Gorman, Tom Kennedy.

Notes Copyright: Lucasfilm, Ltd. NM: new visual effects, sound and new footage throughout. DCR 1997; PUB 11Feb97; REG 18Feb97; PA784-125.
Summary taken from Baseline document.
Sources used: copyright data sheet; copyright data base; Baseline data base.

Not sure what NM means.  New Medium, maybe.  So these record shows that it's a new copyright claim, but built off a previously filed one.

Post
#508232
Topic
Once upon a time on MySpleen (Now with OPEN REGISTRATION)
Time

dark_jedi wrote: *edit - I just want to apologize for sounding so harsh, but damn did I spend a lot of money between the 2 of them F**k HEADS.

Really, how much?  I traded with them both and did not go through what everyone else did.  But I was trading later once the no-sell policy went down and trrnting/absw started up.

Darth Solo wrote: Where the hell did Rikter go anyway?

M.I.A. around 2007 or so.  Part of the story: http://home.comcast.net/~blaksvn/Maddi.htm

Post
#508054
Topic
Theater Performance Preservations
Time

RotJ SE Workprint ending (temp music) direct from Avid system 1990s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqRmWI6VAtc

temp track in one of the comments is mentioned as "500 Nations" mini-series theme.  A documentary about American Indians.

via: Baronlando: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Sources-on-the-Special-Edition/topic/12849/post/508021/#TopicPost508021

*EDIT*

Previous discussion here: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Return-of-The-Jedi-Cut-with-Alternate-Workprint-Ending/topic/2154/

Post
#507215
Topic
Theater Performance Preservations
Time

http://books.google.com/books?id=cRYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA125&dq=%22copyright+infringement%22+%22star+wars%22&hl=en&ei=zpL7TbiCHeHa0QGR_ZnJAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=%22copyright%20infringement%22%20%22star%20wars%22&f=false

Orange Coast Magazine : Feb 1982 : 'Smashing Home Video'

Quote: "The main effort of the MPAA's Film Security Office is "to get stricter laws on the books," said Mann.  Currently, first-offense infringement is treated as a misdemeanor.  The group is "working on getting laws ammended to make (infringement) a felony," says Mann.

Are there certain films that are more popular priate targets than others?  "Anything brand new," says Mann, and cited Raiders of the Lost Art as a current favorite.  "Star Wars is the most infringed film ni the history of the industry," he says. "Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back have never been released to the video market, so any cassettes you see of those films are illegal.""

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=okw1AAAAMAAJ&q=%22copyright+infringement%22+%22star+wars%22&dq=%22copyright+infringement%22+%22star+wars%22&hl=en&ei=vpn7TZqdJsbV0QGsnKHNAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBTgU

Business Week 1983

Quote: "Before Star Wars became available legally on tape, illegal cassettes priced at $500 found willing buyers."

 

Congressional Quarterly 1983

Quote: "There are also more subtle ways to lobby when it comes to issues ofimportance to Hollywood.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee, for example, were invited May 11 to dinner and a sneak preview of 'Return of the Jedi"

 

Video World-Wide : an International Study 1988

There have been many examples of pirated video movies in Australia.  For example, prints of the film Return of the Jedi were stolen from cinemas in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.  Subsequently video copies of this film were available in Australia before its cinema release.

 

1984 Year Book

The industry was growing as rapidly in 1983 that piracy became an increasing problem.  In some cases, no sooner was a film released than it began turning up on illegal cassettes throughout the world.  Studiios took extra precautions to guard prints so that they were not 'borrowed' from theaters overnight and copied.  For example, Return of the Jedi was reportedly stolen six times within two weeks.

 

Business Today 1983

Shortly after its release this summer, the box-office hit Return of the Jedi was stolen by video pirates six times from theaters in three states and Great Britain.  "This is an outrageous situation," exclaimed Robert Greber, president of Lucasfilm, producer of Return of the Jedi

 

CBS Evening News for Tuesday, Jul 12, 1983

Headline: Video Pirates

http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/program.pl?ID=291510

REPORTER: Dan Rather

(San Francisco, California) Econ. impact of video pirates on Return of the Jedi examined; scenes shown courtesy Lucasfilms. [Lucasfilms spokesperson Robert GREBER - anticipates violence in film thefts by video pirates.] Sec. measures taken by filmmakers noted. [Motion Picture Association of America spokesperson Dick BLOESER - questions film knowledge of thieves.]
REPORTER: Barry Petersen

 

nice article from the time, not on topic:

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20085640,00.html

August 08, 1983  Vol. 20  No. 6
The Forces Behind Jedi: Making Movie History Took Lucas & Co. to the Outer Limits

 

CBS Evening News for Friday, Jan 22, 1982 : Headline: Video Piracy

http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20110618668945312&code=tvn&RC=280077&Row=995

REPORTER: Dan Rather

(Chicago, Illinois) Conviction and sentencing of Peter Arcabascio for video piracy examined; his piracy of movies such as "Star Wars" noted. [ARCABASCIO - is stunned at sentence.] Extent of video piracy in Chicago noted. [Motion Picture Association spokesperson Richard BLOESER - cites blatancy of piracy here.] [US attorney Dan WEBB - comments.] Bootleg copies of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" said still selling. [Video retailer Ray NELSON - notes losses to piracy.] [Retailer Michael WEISS - comments.] [Retailer Lou PERRY - doesn't think piracy can be stopped.] Possible cause of situation considered.
REPORTER: Bob McNamara

 

CBS Evening News for Monday, Jun 14, 1982

http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20110618668945312&code=tvn&RC=284228&Row=994

(Studio) Supreme Court ruling on use of class action suits in job discrimination cases detailed; court decision on case involving union rights and campaign contributions outlined. Court said promising future hearing and decision on home videotape industry's possible infringement of copyright laws.
REPORTER: Dan Rather

(DC) Extent of home video recorder industry outlined; "Star Wars" cited as ex.; scenes shown. Basis of Sony Corp.'s appeal to Supreme Court explained; studios' position outlined. [Motion Picture Association president Jack VALENTI - explains studios' stance.] [Mfrs. attorney Charles FERRIS - responds.] Extent of situation considered.
REPORTER: Jeff Greenfield

 

ABC Evening News for Tuesday, Jan 18, 1983 - Headline: Supreme Court / Video Recorders

http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20110618668945312&code=tvn&RC=80705&Row=987

(Studio) Supreme Court reported hearing arguments today on Betamax case, involving home video recorders and possible infringement of copyright law.
REPORTER: Ted Koppel

(DC) Movie industry's opposition to home video recordings as intruding on their profits examined; "Star Wars" cited as example Scenes shown courtesy 20th Century Fox. Argument presented by Universal Studios attorney Stephen Kroft and apparent reaction of Justices Sandra O'Connor, Lewis F. Powell quoted on screen. [Sony Corporation attorney Dean DUNLAVEY - defs. home recordings.] Possible outcome of case considered.
REPORTER: Tim O'Brien Artist: Freda Reiter

 

ABC Evening News for Tuesday, Jan 24, 1984 - Headline: Video Piracy

http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20110618668945312&code=tvn&RC=86974&Row=964

(Studio) Supreme Court's recent ruling on home video recordings recalled.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings

(Travis AFB, California) Convicted video pirate United States Air Force Captain Eugene Horvath's case examined; his career background noted. [HORVATH - wants to return to duty.] August 1982 FBI raid on Horvath's home and confiscation of video equipment and bootleg tapes of such films as "Empire Strikes Back, Superman II" and "Raiders" of the Lost Ark recalled; scenes shown. [Motion Picture Association of America spokesperson Charlie VARNON - believes Horvath has paid his debt to society and motion picture industry] Horvath's defense against United States Air Force efforts to discharge him noted resting on claim that United States Air Force is also guilty of video piracy. [HORVATH - notes no. video movies possessed by United States Air Force.] Horvath's videotape of allegedly- illegal dubbing operation run by United States Air Force in Japan shown, discussed; Army recalled closing its similar taping ctrs. [HORVATH - denies doing anything wrong.]
REPORTER: Peter Lance

 

 

Attack of the Clones FTF

http://www.theforce.net/episode2/story/ap_talks_aotc_bootleg_67071.asp

A week before its scheduled release, illegal copies of "Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones" are already appearing on the Internet.

One copy of the movie making the rounds online appears to have been recorded at a private showing, using a tripod-mounted digital camcorder pointed at the screen, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Another copy apparently used a more sophisticated version of the same technique.

 

"It's an extremely serious threat," said Jean Murrell Adams, head of the litigation department at DreamWorks SKG. "I'm not surprised that it's on the Internet. I talk to pirates because I want to find out why they're doing this. And what I've been told is that they were eagerly anticipating who would be first to do this. It's a challenge for them."

 

 

http://strangetalk.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18377

 

http://theisonews.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=77441&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=eab458a5be7ec3e0c2e2392f69ac3e35

FTF & TucVcd & HaFVCD pre-release versions

Quality and sound supposedly suxxx, but is most likely the only pre-release.

A cam of a movie, as tightly-guarded as this one is, is still quite a fucking accomplishment.

 

The source of this is likely the screening wed night at the zeigfeld in NYC. The tapes were floating around downtown NYC 12 hours before this hit the servers so this is likely.

 

STAR WARS IS A FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT MOVIE... END OF STORY!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Post
#507424
Topic
Theater Performance Preservations
Time

The case of 'Captain Eugene Horvath'

Auguest 15, 1982

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ho9TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n4YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4313,21091&dq=eugene-horvath&hl=en

A federal grand jury is investigating a U.S. Air Force captin following a raid on his home that netted 1,700 master videotapes and copies of pirated movies.

*omit*

The seizure was among the nation's first under a federal copyright law toughened in May to increase the penalty for videotape piracy from a misdemeanor to a felony.  Convictions can result in up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

 

January 9, 1984

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2P8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cM0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2279,6526123&dq=eugene-horvath&hl=en

Howvath when he faced the federal felony charge of copyright infringement, admittd he broke the law by operating his home videotaping center, although he said it was a hobby that got out of hand.  He accuses the Air Force of running an illegal business.

But at the Pentagon, Air Force spokesman Capt. Johnny Whitaker said the Air Force would not shut down its videotape centers in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines unless required by Congress or the Surpreme Court.

Last year, the U.S. Army closed its videotaping centers, saying thaey were violated copyright laws.  The Navy said it has halted videotape copyring The Motion Picture Association of America, members of which own the copyrights to the movies that are being duplicated, said the Air Force appears to be breaking the law.

*omit*

Conviction on the copyright charge would have required discharge from the Air Force.  But in a report to the federal judge, probation officer Charlie Varnon cited Horwavth's miltary record and the Air Force videotaping  activity and said it was be 'criminal' to force his discharge.

Under a plea bargain designed to save his career, Horvath admitted the violation, paid a $7,500 fine and worked 200 hours for a blood bank.  The charge was dismissed.

 

 

Jun 26, 1984

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6xtKAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CiINAAAAIBAJ&pg=6935,2956314&dq=eugene-horvath&hl=en

The Air Force contends that Horvath improperly used videotape equipment to record movies and sell them to fellow officers for a small fee, and used government facilities to transoprt the tapes.

The hearing, which occurs in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving apporval to personal, not-for-profit videotaping of films, has drawn nationwide attention.

 

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB35EBE29D81699&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Miami Herald - February 7, 1984 - 9A FRONT

CAPTAIN IS CLEARED IN COPYRIGHT CASE  TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- (AP) -- An Air Force captain who taped and sold hundreds of copyright movies to fellow officers was not breaking copyright laws for profit, three colonels ruled in deciding against discharging the 16-year veteran. The special administrative panel did not elaborate in ruling for Capt. Eugene Horvath, 38. He had admitted copying and selling the videotapes but said the Air Force does the same thing at six bases overseas and that his commanding officer...

 

 

The case of 'Peter Acrabascio'

July 23, 1981

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=krkfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZtcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2334,2428193&dq=peter-arcabascio&hl=en

Film bootlegging charged

Chicago (AP0 - A North Side videotape dealer faces charges of boolegging at least 33 popular movies, including 'Star Wars' and 'The Empire Strikes Back,' for illegal sale in videocassettes.

The U.S. attorney's office on Monday charged Peter Arcabascio, 58, with violating the copyrights of several motion-picture companies.

Federal agents bought or seized 25 allegedly pirated videocassettes in 1979 and 1980 from two North Side video stores owned by Arcabascio, who also is known as Peter Archer officials said.

Copies of the tapes sold for between $50 and $100 each, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert B. Bresblatt.

 

 

Back tothe random:

Journal of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. Vol. 31 1983

http://books.google.com/books?ei=WCT9Te2eAanX0QGX6YmJAw&ct=result&id=0CNBAQAAIAAJ&dq=copyright+infringement+%22empire+strikes+back%22&q=%22empire+strikes+back%22#search_anchor

Eighty pirated videocassettes were seized in FBI raids in White Plains and Port Chester, N.Y. "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" and "The Empire Strikes Back" were among the titles confiscated.

 

Entertainment Law Reporter, Vol 1 1984

http://books.google.com/books?ei=WCT9Te2eAanX0QGX6YmJAw&ct=result&id=kPxCAQAAIAAJ&dq=copyright+infringement+%22empire+strikes+back%22&q=%22empire+strikes+back%22#search_anchor

Copyright, A New York state court has dismissed an indictment charging an individual with the unauthorized recording of sound in connection with alleged manufacturing and sale of videotapes of films such as 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' 'The Empire Strikes Back'

 

 

 

Post
#507776
Topic
Theater Performance Preservations
Time

'Star Wars' piracy : books.google.com 77-79

 

The Consumer's Guide to Video Tape Recording, 1979

http://books.google.com/books?ei=PpH_TZKvHcLr0QGJwd2yAw&ct=result&id=uMbaHe6KJZcC&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&q=+%22star+wars%22#search_anchor

percent it will rival commercial TV as well as the film industry.  To counterract this new threat the film industry is focusing on films tht lose impact when viewed on a small screen.  Such films as Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kin lose their vista and excitement when seen on a home screen

 

Some VTR dealers have been giving away pirated cassettes of Star Wars to boost hardware sales.  Since many movies are shown on pay TV in the United States before theatrical release in Europe and Africa, there are larg amounts of transatlantic

 

Editorials on File, Volume 11, Part 1

http://books.google.com/books?id=oMdAAQAAIAAJ&q=piracy+%22star+wars%22&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&hl=en&ei=PpH_TZKvHcLr0QGJwd2yAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CD0Q6AEwBA

have resulted in indictments against 55 persons in 10 states in a nationwide crackdown on pornography distrubtion and film piracy.  A federal grand jury in Miami, Fla. returned the indictments following a two and a half year probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, code-named Miporn, for "Miami pornography."

 

The motion picture phaseof the investigation involved the alleged piracy and distriubtion of major films ranging from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Star Wars and The Godfather.

 

Bulletin of the COpyright Society of the U.S.A. Vol 28 1980

http://books.google.com/books?id=qSFBAQAAIAAJ&q=piracy+%22star+wars%22&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&hl=en&ei=PpH_TZKvHcLr0QGJwd2yAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBg

The Supreme Court of South Africa handed down a landmark decision recently regarding video piracy.  The order prohibits Vic Donen of Pik-A-Movie from infringing copyrights in

 

fringed that of 'Star Wars.'

 

Popular Science, Nov 1978

http://books.google.com/books?id=OQEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&hl=en&ei=PpH_TZKvHcLr0QGJwd2yAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFEQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=%22star%20wars%22&f=false

Who sells more prerecorded video-tapes than anybody?  The crooks.  According to a spokesman for the FBI, pirated prerecorded tapes are now outselling the legal versions.  Currently "Star Wars" and "Saturday Night  Fever" are the top bootleg best-sellers - and neither has been released yet for legitimate sale.

 

Educational & Industrial Television, Vol 10 1978

http://books.google.com/books?ei=U5H_TZLPKcnx0gHc0cS-Aw&ct=result&id=asgcAQAAMAAJ&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&q=+%22star+wars%22#search_anchor

couple of the 20th Century FOx tapes on order now.  If legal copies of Star Wars were available, they would make a fortune selling them - probably half the people who read this would become customers.  SO in my opinion, if these films were legally available, it would put the pirates out of business.

 

Copyright COnference: 1979

http://books.google.com/books?ei=U5H_TZLPKcnx0gHc0cS-Aw&ct=result&id=1kg_AQAAIAAJ&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&q=+%22star+wars%22#search_anchor

Europe and in the United States which has invested huge sums in research and development, is confident that the market will develop.  This confidence is felt not only by the legitimate sectors of the industry, but also by the pirates.  Just before leaving London I was told that unauthorised video reocordings of very recent films are available for hire or purchase - the one mentioned was 'Star Wars', a very popular science fiction film.  The threat to the film production and cinema

 

Inside the FBI 1980

http://books.google.com/books?ei=U5H_TZLPKcnx0gHc0cS-Aw&ct=result&id=9-IEAQAAIAAJ&dq=piracy+%22star+wars%22&q=+%22star+wars%22#search_anchor

was selling pirated cassettes and soundtrack tapes of such movies as Star Wars by setting up a distributorship and identifying the pirates.  There were six convictions.

 

He will ask you where ? American film, The Deep, is playing.  You will identify yourself to the man by responding that you donjt know about The Deep, but that Star Wars is playing down the street."

The redezvous was never consummated.  On May 20, 1978, FBI agents arrested three Russians as they were attempting to

 

 

'Empire Strikes Back' Piracy : books.google.com

 

Trademark & Copyright Infringement 1985

http://books.google.com/books?id=NKZBAQAAIAAJ&q=%22empire+strikes+back%22+piracy&dq=%22empire+strikes+back%22+piracy&hl=en&ei=44L_Te7bCerX0QGqv4HYAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CD4Q6AEwBQ

In film piracy, as an example, a major problem continues to be those individuals posing as 'film collectors' who buy, sell and trade films which they have obtained from unauthorized sources.  These sources are usually dishonest employees at film laboratories, storage depots, film salvage facilities, television stations or other industry operations.  It is estimated that more then $50,000,000 in films are offered for sale illegally

 

you can't watch it, is not a bargain at any price.  The old adage "you get what you pay for" is still usually valid, but in the case of video piracy, you often do not get what you pay for.

The motion picture industry and governments worldwide are today faced with enourmous

 

borrowed long enough to make a transfer from film to tape.  The process of trnsferring from film to videotape is known as a film chain.  The equipment needed for this process consists of a film projector, a prism apparatus, a video camera and a video recorder.  The film image is merely projected through the prism into the video

 

The Film Yearbook, 1984

http://books.google.com/books?ei=44L_Te7bCerX0QGqv4HYAw&ct=result&id=NthxW1PEDVMC&dq=%22empire+strikes+back%22+piracy&q=%22empire+strikes+back%22+#search_anchor

there is no proof whatever.

So one is confronted by the slightly ludicrous situation of having a film such as The Empire Strikes Back or E.T. widely available thrugh the pirate network literally months before it's 'proper' release.

the piracy problem is

 

Billboard Sep 11, 1982

Vid Dealers Paint Rosy Picture

http://books.google.com/books?id=OiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT14&dq=%22empire+strikes+back%22+piracy&hl=en&ei=4YX_TZ3TLuLV0QG6xqipAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=%22empire%20strikes%20back%22%20piracy&f=false

Salomon's two pet gripes are that too many video games are being released, forcing himto rent them, and that there is to much videocassette piracy and bootlegging.  "We sold more of 'Star Wars' than anything since we've been in business," he said, noting that for him, as for most video dealers at VSDA, sales play a minor role compared to rentals.  "The reason is people were replacing their bootlegs of 'Star Wars' when the original finally came out."

 

VIdeo World-Wide: an International Study 1988

http://books.google.com/books?ei=eo7_Ta-NIcnb0QGiiqifAw&ct=result&id=ostkAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22empire+strikes+back%22+piracy&q=%22empire+strikes+back%22+#search_anchor

were made under civil law, and low fines were imposed.  The following examples illustrate this point:

i) A man in Perth was fined $100 on each of six charges for copying The Empire Strikes Back, Paternity, Yellow Beard, Class and Trading

 

Journal of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A., Volume 31 1983

http://books.google.com/books?ei=ro__TcP-Ganm0QGxrKiRAw&ct=result&id=0CNBAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22empire+strikes+back%22+piracy&q=%22empire+strikes+back%22+#search_anchor

Eighty pirated videocassettes were seized in FBI raids in White Plain and Port Chester, N.Y. "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" and "The Empire Strikes Back" were among the titles confiscated.

 

 

 

Return of the Jedi Piracy (in books.google.com)

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=MjFL1KbcX_oC&pg=PA122&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&hl=en&ei=1Xj_Ta2cJI6r0AHhp9ieAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22return%20of%20the%20jedi%22&f=false

During a two-week period in the summer of 1983, the season's blockbuster hit, Return of the Jedi, was stolen five times from cinemas in three states and in Britain to be turned into illegal videocassettes.  The last occurence was when two thieves in clown masks stole a print of the movie at gunpoint from a theaters in Santa Maria, California.  Earlier, thieves had broken down theater doors in Hastings, England, and Sherman Oaks, ,California, to get a print.  In South Carolina the film was inexplicabley missing while in Overland Park, Kansas, a projectionist was confronted in his theater's parking lot at midnight by an armed robber who forced him to return to the venue and surrender the print.  FSO head Richard Bloeser said the prince for a pirated Jedi ranged from $85 to $150.  After the theft of the print in Hastings, England, distributer Fox took out an ad in the large circulatoin British daily paper The Sun to advertise a $7,700 reward for information about the theft.  James Bouras thought that tighter print security by the industry in general may have been partly responsible for a perceived increase in the actual thefts of prints.  Bloeser added that his FSO had achieved 300 convictions since its start in 975 to mid 1983, and had paidout well over $100,000 in rewards.  Regarding piracy figures Bloeser said, "A low estimate of the film industry's loss from piracy is $100 million a year.  It could be as high as $500 million a year."

 

Copyright and related rights: Principles, Problems and Trends

http://books.google.com/books?ei=1Xj_Ta2cJI6r0AHhp9ieAw&ct=result&id=d0UVAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+#search_anchor

film The Return of the Jedi was stolen from a cinema in England, priated videoes of it were on sale in Saudi Arabia.  The theft took place despite stringent security measures diesigned to prevent such an occurrance, the producers being well aware of the dangers of piracy.  There is also a great deal of money at stake in the piratedof sound recordings, although that field seems now to take second place to video piracy.  A recent survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit suggested that 50 percent of video cassettesin cirucation in West Germany were pirated, 70 per cent

 

Time, volume 121, part 2

http://books.google.com/books?id=XRkfAQAAMAAJ&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&hl=en&ei=1Xj_Ta2cJI6r0AHhp9ieAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBQ

In May, Variety reported that video pirates were prparing an all-out assult on the summer's hotest film, Return of the Jedi.  Lucasfilm Ltd, the producer, stepped up security by policing film labs, fastening film canisters with special metal seals and using messengers to deliver prints around the U.S.  The distributor, 20th Century-Fox sent telegrams to 836 theater managers urging

 

Yes the thefts continue.  Says on Hollywoood public relations man: "If you know someone at a studio, you can get about any film you want."

Local movie theaters are particulatrly vulnerable to priates.  Projectionsist can often be bribed (going rate: $500) to look the other way while a hit movie is taken away fro a few hours to be copied.

 

In 1975, to combat video piracy, the major motion-picture studios established the Film Security Office, which has helped convict 300 pirates.

 

Modern Legal Systems Cyclopedia, Vol 10, Part 1

http://books.google.com/books?ei=1Xj_Ta2cJI6r0AHhp9ieAw&ct=result&id=-j46AQAAIAAJ&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22#search_anchor

In the last two weeks, "Return of the Jedi" has been stolen six times from theaters in three states and in Great Britain.  The movie industry believes thta the object of the theft is to turn the film into video-cassettes.  The price of apirated copy of "Jedi", one range from $85 to $150.  Robert Greber, president of Lucasfilm, producer of 'Jedi', says a low estimate of film industry losses from piracy is about $100 million a year.  In 1975 the film studios formed a film security office in Los Angeles staffed by ex-F.B.I. agents to combat film piracy.  Since that time more then $200,000 has ben awareded to informatnts and more than 300 pirates have been prosecuted.

 

New Society, Vol 65-66

http://books.google.com/books?ei=En7_Tce6DsnY0QGCqv3YAw&ct=result&id=vakpAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+#search_anchor

Soft Pirates

Just when it looked as ir parliament and the police had got video piracy  under control someone stole a copy of The Return of the Jedi from the Classic cinema in Hastings and within days pirated versons were on sale in Saudi Arabia.  Now the high tech society faces a further threat --

 

The 1984 World book year book: the annual supplement to the World Book encyclopedia

http://books.google.com/books?ei=En7_Tce6DsnY0QGCqv3YAw&ct=result&id=YW2MHPLca7wC&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+#search_anchor

chronic annoyance if not an outright threat to the motion-picture industry.  In May, word hit the industry that two major upcoming summer releases, Return of the Jedi and the futuristic action picture Blue Thunder, already were available on pirated video cassettes.

 

http://books.google.com/books?ei=Mn7_TcLKM4Hy0gGc3vHAAw&ct=result&id=fB7uAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+#search_anchor

Pepperidge Form character cookies for Return of the Jedi, so popular they had to be rationed to stores;

 

The Electronic Pirates: DIY crime of the century

http://books.google.com/books?ei=HoH_TensKJC10AHhmLTkDg&ct=result&id=3dePAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+piracy&q=%22return+of+the+jedi%22+#search_anchor

Like the drugs trade, the quality gets worse the further down the line you go.

(personal interview)

Such was the paranoia of twentieth Century Fox before the release of the 20 million property Return of the Jedi that only one print

 

Post
#507600
Topic
Theater Performance Preservations
Time

Well that seems to wrap things up for the time being.  Updated the first post, guides and Reel Change pages. 

RotJ is the one which doesn't have any markers yet, as the theater recordings available are significantly cropped/panned.  rmclain73 any recollection from your version of where the reel change markers showed up? 

An oddity of RotS is one reel change had no markers that I could figure out.  My guess is that instead of markers they used visual clues from the film.  At the time where the markers would have showed up begins the fight between Grevious and Obi, so maybe they used the twirling blades instead of burn marks.  In the other theater recordings there were signs of home made markers but didn't see anything specific in this RotS recording.

Also nothing's showed up so far of the super special star shaped markers from the Special Edition Era.

...and still want more Crowd Interaction!

 

The regurgitational FoMO (Friends of May Originance) would like to thank Voi Kahdeskymmenesviides, Kan Eenentwintigste, Kan Tjugofemte, Mohou Devatenáctého; Pouvwa Sèzyèm , Mund të Gjashtëmbëdhjetë; ????? ??????????????, Is Féidir Naoú & Getur Nítjándu. With limited mental support from :F:L:I:M:S:I:P:L:A:S:T: :D:A:T:A:B:A:S:E:.

Good.Buy.Good.Riddance

 

The next group of posts are more or less about the phenomenon, nothing about a specific new case but there are clues to the extent of this and some of the people involved.  Periodical search stuff and some random.