3D DIVIDES THEATERS INTO HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS

Movie theaters that are not equipped with 3D digital projectors are experiencing lighter ticket sales as patrons seek out theaters that have installed the new technology, the Associated Press reported today (Wednesday). Many theater owners have been unable to obtain loans to purchase the new equipment – which can cost as much as $100,000. But Patrick Corcoran of the National Association of Theatre Owners told the wire service that he expects the number of 3D theaters to increase as financing becomes available later in the summer. NATO said that there are currently only about 2,385 theaters across the country that have a 3D screen – out of a total of 38,853 screens.

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DELETED SLUMDOG SCENE POSTED ON INTERNET

COMCAST EXTENDS VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE TO TWO DAYS

BITTORENT SITE MININOVA GOES TO COURT

Netherlands-based Mininova, regarded as the largest BitTorrent website, defended itself Tuesday from charges by the anti-piracy group Bescherming Rechten Entertainment Industrie Nederland (Entertainment Industry Rights Protection of the Netherlands) or BREIN that it has failed to remove torrents linked to copyrighted material. As reported by the website TorrentFreak, an attorney for BREIN claimed in court on Tuesday that 92 percent of the Mininova torrents are linked to illegal content. Nevertheless, an attorney for Mininova maintained that the operators of the site have no knowledge of the content tracked by the torrents and that indeed Mininova has partnerships with some copyright owners to distribute their work.

BRITISH MEDIA CHIEF WANTS TO MEET WITH U.S. COUNTERPART

British Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said today (Wednesday) that the government wants to seek an agreement with the U.S. to curb illegal downloads of movies, music and other digital content. At a news conference Burnham said, “it’s my aim that we develop an international consensus on illegal downloading.” He has said that the government wants to reduce illegal downloads by 70-80 percent in the U.K. and is looking for support for the government’s plans from European and U.S. partners. Burnham made it clear that he is aiming to crack down on those uploading content, not those downloading it. “I don’t want to criminalize young people,” he said.