Film piracy is so rampant in Canada that one of the world’s largest movie studios Monday banned advanced previews and radio promotions country-wide.
Ocean’s Thirteen and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix were the first releases affected by the move. Warner Bros.’ Canadian arm cited a gap in the criminal code that prevents bootleggers from being charged.
“It’s a very serious issue and this is the first step in trying to combat this. We just need the support of the government at this stage,” said Dan Fellman, Warner Bros.’ president of theatrical distribution.
“There are plenty of places around the world that a camcorded copy will show up on the streets of the country before the movie has opened.”
In the last 18 months, 70% of the studio’s titles have been videotaped in Canada.
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