"The first known pirated copy of "The Simpsons Movie" to make it onto the Internet was tracked to a home raided by Australian police Friday, authorities said... The federation said the illegal "Simpsons" copy was the first on the Internet and was recorded by a cell phone in a Sydney cinema on July 26 - hours before its release in most of the world. Officials said the movie was uploaded to a video-sharing site based in the United States before it hit U.S. theaters July 27."

Ah, the things we can do because of our timezone. But a cell phone copy - even though its a cartoon, it still will be pretty crappy quality, with all the audience reactions in it too. The movie sales will still be massive, as will DVD sales. Get over it - if anything, this gives people a taste of it.

"Google contacted customers late last week to tell them that the video store was closing. The e-mail declared, "In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program. This change will be effective August 15, 2007... After August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased or rented videos."

Hmm... even Google's screwing people over with DRM (although they are crediting users). I'm not totally against DRM, but this is certainly some food for thought.

"Listen up Motion Picture Association of America, a guy named Len might have just come up with a solution on how to stop people from pirating movies online. According to TorrentFreak, a guy named Len integrated some spoiler news from the recently released Harry Potter book. He not only took credit for it, but he also posted his URL for everyone to see."

Hahaha...what an awesome idea. For kicks of course, Harry Potter sucks :)

"The detective agency used by the Motion Picture Association of America has attempted to lure file sharers to a fake download site that installs spyware on their PCs... The MiiVi.com site offered downloads of complete movies along with forums for debate, but also offered software purporting to speed up file transfers... In fact the software checked hard drives for copyrighted material and reported back to the MediaDefender detective agency."

How idiotic do you think we are? Ok, so you might get some unsuspecting kid, but sooner or later nerds will jump on and you know you'll be exposed. Just give up and give consumers what they want.

"At Seven's second-half programming launch on Monday, the network announced that when it screens the next series of Heroes and Prison Break later this year, the episodes would be broadcast as close as possible to their US screen debut...It will also offer time-shifted viewing on the TiVo digital video recorders it will launch next year, and it plans to further develop its Yahoo7 website...The desire to view programs on demand (18 per cent) and to access overseas shows not screened here (17 per cent) were also key contributors."

Yay! Someone's finally listening to us! Still not completely free access, but closer. Now if only the music industry would follow suit...

"Although some may argue that piracy is (at least on some level) beneficial, it looks like NBC has taken that sentiment to the opposing extreme with its latest comments, "In the absence of movie piracy, video retailers would sell and rent more titles. Movie theaters would sell more tickets and popcorn. Corn growers would earn greater profits and buy more farm equipment.""

We're getting desperate aren't we...

"I was pleasantly surprised! I always thought warez groups were elusive and impossible to get in touch with. The fact that they responded was amazing, but the idea of them putting a halt on the release and promising not to do it anymore… it really blew my mind. I think I may have stumbled across a revolutionary business strategy."

Sometimes a little sense and hope is all that's needed to resolve piracy. Nice story.

"There has been a new law introduced to Florida and Utah and pending in Rhode Island and Wisconsin. This law requires resellers of second hand CD’s to thumbprint and copy ID of the customer selling them the secondhand CD’s."

Thank god I don't live in the US where stupid laws abound.