Internet piracy of AOTC

**John Farrell** · 10th May 2002, 03:26 PM

Apparently some wise guys have illegally taped the movie and are posting it to the web...

Check out Drudge Report at:

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashac.htm

Has anyone actually found the sites they're launching it from? Maybe a blog site?

JF

**David Vasser** · 11th May 2002, 01:22 AM

Surely LUCAS was expecting something like this. Since this film was all shot and edited digitally instead of on film it is residing most likely in multiple locations on the LUCASFILMS network. So, it would be possible for a real expert to hack into the Lucas network and download the file containing either the finished movie or segments of the movie which could be assembled into the finished movie. (Don't look at me though, I can't get even my Windows 98 to stop crashing!)

I'm not saying this is likely, but only possible.

Also it is far easier to smuggle out 2 or 3 cd roms or a single DVD than a crate containing the multiple reels required to have a complete 35 mm print.

They had to know this could happen! Lucas is probably already working on an encoding process to protect his future works from a similar fate by scrambling the data, which could only be unscambled with LUCAS owned software. This would be a dicey proposition as that software would also be subject to theft.

The Digital Age, as many of us have come to realize on a personal level with the rampant crime of identity theft, has bred a new type of thief. One who steals not because they need to or because they want to, but only because they can!

Juan Aneiros · 11th May 2002, 01:40 AM

BrotherDave,

To hack into Lucas's Network and steal the film is as difficult as hacking into the Indian National defence system and launching a nuclear attack. Possible but very unlikely.

**David Vasser** · 11th May 2002, 03:05 AM

Hacking into Lucasfilms is most unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility. While I'm not saying Lucasfilms was hacked, the website at the link posted earlier stated there was something "more sophisticated" than someone simply pointing a camera at the movie screen going around. I was speculating on what that could possibly be.

I remember when someone hacked into the USA Department of Defense's mainframe once, which caused an upgrade in the alert status of the US Military which in turn caused an upgrade in the alert status of the Soviets. Then only a short time later someone else got into the network servers at the White House. Maybe those events weren't big news in Europe but it sure got our attention here in the USA.

I agree hacking into Lucasfilms is highly unlikely but with films of the future going to digital, they surely will have to have primo security wherever they are stored. I do think the CD ROM or DVD scenario is more likely.

**Joakim Lundberg** · 11th May 2002, 12:02 PM

Excactly the same thing happened with Episode I. I don't know how it happened. Read many articles about journalists who had seen it before it came out. Personaly I don't want to see it on a computer screen I wanna see Mr Lee on a BIG screen in a big cinema with THX sound. I just can't wait anymore for the film. :1roll:

**Dave Hutchens** · 11th May 2002, 01:14 PM

This is truly disturbing.

Well, I've found one site, and it wasn't awfully difficult. I just spent the last hour or more checking out ads for AOTC on VCD, complete with screenshots.

Sickening.

Be assured that I've reported these people to the proper authorities, and that the listings have already begun to vanish, at least from this particular location.

Just astonishing.

Dave

**Dave Hutchens** · 12th May 2002, 10:50 AM

Well, I'm sorry to report, a day later, that the number of listings for AOTC for sale on the site I've been watching hasn't decreased in the slightest, despite several reports I've filed of copyright infringement. Indeed, as of now the number of ads has at least quadrupled, if not more.

It's incredible how brazen these pirates are.

Dave

**Domenick Fraumeni** · 13th May 2002, 12:51 AM

From what I've read and discussed with knowledgeable individuals on this, it's done more for the challenge of accomplishing such a task rather then the ability to watch a new film on one's pc. Which seems to be the similar goal of many, though certainly not all, computer hackers.

That said, I saw a recent sample from a non-spoilerish scene just out of mere curiousity. If this was what the rest looks like, then I feel very comfortable in saying that the theatrical experience is in NO danger of being threatened.

One would have to be completely unable to leave one's home or have a grossly distorted view on what is a decent movie watching experience to get any real pleasure out of watching a film like this. Personally, I hope those responsible receive the full measure of what they richly deserve.

To anyone wishing to get this film online, it's actually quite easy if you scan various newsgroups, but hardly worth the huge, time consuming effort to obtain what amounts to a desecration of the filmmakers intentions, and a devestatingly diminished viewing experience.

HJohnBlount · 13th May 2002, 02:04 AM

I have to agree it is a shame that the scramble for pirate copies seem to be boasting release on the actual day of the cinema release.....but that's life!

I personally love Star Wars, I play it, I listen to it , I watch it on my portable dvd player [all 4 films!] I even dream (not all the time) it, but I must admit I have reserved my ticket to watch it on Friday, I have pre-ordered the DVD release {I believe will be around December} and I have ordered a boasted DVD copy...(it will at least tide me over till the official release)

May the Force be with You.............ALL!

H.John

>The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly
is to fill the world with fools< - Herbert Spencer

**Dave Hutchens** · 13th May 2002, 07:50 AM

"To anyone wishing to get this film online, it's actually quite easy if you scan various newsgroups, but hardly worth the huge, time consuming effort to obtain what amounts to a desecration of the filmmakers intentions..."

Actually, it's easier even than that. No need to devote one's PC to a humongous download; all you have to do is buy the thing on video CD. The film is _readily_ attainable, from numerous sources. It's absolutely disgusting, and I too hope these scumbags get their just due.

Dave

Mawk · 13th May 2002, 09:42 AM

Actually the bootleg copy that has been going around is supposedly a cam of the press screening that was done last week. If you actually do try and search for it on file sharing programs, most are just renamed files of other movies.

Dunno what site you found Dave, you could PM me the link so I could check the validity if you would like :)

mawk

:1roll:

HJohnBlount · 13th May 2002, 09:50 AM

Hi davehutchens

Yes! I feel its really unfare that the film makers go to such trouble to give us a high tech entertaining film! that someone can come along and churn out a copy on the same day! They deserve all they invite!

H.John

>I'd rather had a portable dvd player and not need it, than not have it and want one!< - HJBlount

Spaceghost · 20th May 2002, 12:48 AM

pirating is nothing new, it happens to everything.

Albums, Movies, Games, Programs.

Most people dont buy them on VCD, they dload them in VCD format and make their own copies.

The versions of AOTC that are out, are cams, this means they went into the cinema with a camera and recorded it. The quality is rather poor. The "groups" that release these films dont make a profit, they do it to share, the bad people are the ones that sell it for a profit.

You should be happy its only a crappy quality cam, the LOTR DVD was released severak months ago, yes the DVD, well not the DVD, but DVD quality film. They got this from the privew DVDs that they used for the oscars.

Scorpio999 · 27th May 2002, 02:42 AM

Well said spaceghost

I myself have seen the film in the theatre,and do plan to buy it when it comes out on dvd.

I have watched it in avi format at least 8 times,the quality is crap...but at least I can watch it whenever I want.

Being honest,I normaly get movies I want to see before they even come out from newsgroups,mirc....kaza...

I feel no shame either buying these movies or downloading them.

Most of the time I actualy wind up buying these games or movies.

And if they are crap....well I just pat myself on the back and say...damn glad I wasnt a chump and paid for this crap heh.

I realy do not understand what the big problem is,sony has already been made to look like an a s s,by people "cracking" their hardware or software with a simple felt pen marker....whats next ? are they going to ban markers ? LMFAO :)

In fact alot of this is good,as it will froce (eventualy) the media to stop being greedy,and to start having a little compasion for the little guy.

You are right spaceghost,most of these groups...do this...not for cash...but to help out the community!

I realy do laugh at people who think they are being gallant and heroic by waiting to buy it or go see it in the theatre,than watching it at home before anyone else can.

I mean whats the big deal ? ethics or morals or something like that ?

Maybe they need to pin good guy badges on to feel good.

Is charging 69.99 for a video game realy fair to the customer ? not realy...

Is charging 39.99 for a dvd realy worth it ? I dont think so either.

I still buy at least 5 dvds a month and 1 game.

But this is normaly after testing it out to see if its actualy worth it.

Nothing wrong with smart shopping :)

As if these shmuckz in da biz have a right to complain anyway,they are fat greedy pigs with more cash than they need,when there is children starving in ethipianannanna.....

And like what ? so they go and donate some cash and pin a good guy bage on themself to look all great in the media.......whoopty dooo :)

Cmon people....think about it.

Anyway I am going to go watch that fight scene with yoda and eat some popcorn and hear this avi crap quality in 5.1 surround sound on my pc :) Then I think I will go watch "we were soldiers" and black hawk down :)

Have fun kiddies!

**Alfonso Casal** · 27th May 2002, 07:30 PM

Quote:

You are right spaceghost,most of these groups...do this...not for cash...but to help out the community!

"Help the community??" Give me a break! I agree, most of these people don't do what they do for profit, but they do it for, perhaps, an even less admirable motive. They do it so they can possess something, that they know a lot of people are eager to have, before it becomes available. Then they can feel 'all superior.' It's a petty mentality.