For Your Oscar® Viewing Consideration

The Oscars® are five days away and have you seen all the Best Picture nominees?  With the “window” of time shortened between theatrical release and DVD release, it’s easier than ever to catch most of the films prior to the big awards show.  Here are some tips to make the most of your viewing pleasure:

1.  If a film is still in theatres and you see a DVD copy, or a “free” online version, you’re dealing with a pirated version of the film.  Sites which host illegal content or direct you to illegal content are both, well, illegal.
   1. Pirated films can be very poor quality, both visually and auditory.  We moms don’t have a lot of time, so if you’re going to take the time to watch a film, you don’t want to waste your time with a bad copy.
   2. If the words “For Your Consideration” or “Property of…” appear at any point while watching a film, this is a stolen “screener.”  Screeners are used by movie studios for marketing and voting purposes for the Oscars® and other awards shows.  Occasionally these screeners end up in the wrong hands, or are stolen and uploaded to illegal movie sites, making them, you guessed it, illegal.
   3. When I hear the word “bootleg” it reminds me of the 80’s when people would illegally record concerts on cassette tape.  Today, bootlegging still exists, but it’s the replication of a DVD which is then distributed or sold.  If you’ve been to New York City, you know what I’m talking about.  It too, is illegal.
2. Now that you know what film piracy looks like, let’s talk repercussions.
   1. When viewing pirated films on illegal sites you’re making your computer vulnerable to viruses and spy wear.  In some cases, you could leave yourself vulnerable to identity theft.
   2. There is strong evidence to suggest that funds made through bootlegging are often used by organized crime networks for other illegal endeavors, including drug and human trafficking.

You may unknowingly land on one of these sites thinking you are watching a legal version of a film.  I hope these tips have helped you recognize what to look for.  Or, you may knowingly watch pirated content online.  If so, I hope these facts make you think twice about watching these versions.

It’s there, it’s easy to get to, but that doesn’t make it right and in the end it prevents companies from creating more of the content we all love.  Plus, there’s the illegal thing.  And it’s morally not right, but I’ll let you work that out with yourself.  Click here for legal online viewing options.

Let’s get back to those Oscar® nominated films and how you can {legally} view them –

Best Picture Nominees:

American Hustle – Currently in theatres and available on DVD March 18^th

Captain Phillips – Currently in limited theatrical release and on DVD

Dallas Buyer’s Club – You can watch Matthew McConaughey’s brilliant performance on DVD

Gravity – The DVD is available today

Her – Scheduled DVD release next month

Nebraska – Currently in limited theatrical release and available on DVD today

Philomena – Currently in limited theatrical release and available on DVD March 4^th

12 Years a Slave – Currently in limited theatrical release and available on DVD March 4^th

The Wolf of Wall Street – Currently in theatres and slated for DVD release in March 2014

Was your favorite film nominated for an Oscar?  Who do you think will win?  Have you encountered pirated content?  What are your thought on piracy?

For more information on content protection and the different types of content theft, please go to www.mpaa.org.

For a complete list of the Oscar® nominees please go to www.oscars.go.com