Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
43% of Pirated Movies Start in NYC!
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 24, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 24, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday morning, Mayor Bloomberg was on the Today Show, chatting with Meredith Vieira about the 40th anniversary of the Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting and puffing his chest about NYC's role in the film and TV community. Then he scooted back to City Hall to announce new leglisation to penalize movie piracy. The press conference was full of factoids:
The MPAA estimates that New York City theaters are the origin of 43% of camcorder-source pirated DVDs tracked in the United States, and 20% of pirated movies seized globally. These video are posted on the Internet, replicated, and illegally sold and traded all over the world. Despite the impact that this conduct has on the film industry, those who are caught illegally recording a motion picture currently face only a violation, a non-criminal offense. The City intends to introduce legislation to amend the penal law so that those engaged in piracy will face a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison, if convicted, and a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison, for any subsequent convictions.
Who knew NYC movie theaters were so perfect for videotaping movies? Oh, wait, everyone!
Of course, this recalls the Seinfeld episode, The Little Kicks, where Jerry becomes a pirated-movie auteur:
I don't care about Brody. I was up on 96th Street today, there was a kid couldn't have been more than ten years old. He was asking a street vendor if he had any other bootlegs as good as Death Blow. That's who I care about. The little kid who needs bootlegs, because his parent or guardian won't let him see the excessive violence and strong sexual content you and I take for granted.
And that's the episode where Elaine dances.
Anyway, the NYPD is the only police force in the country with a task force dedicated to movie piracy. We hope they get the dogs that can sniff out the DVDs - they would be so cute.
Tagged
bloomberg
city
City hall
death
dogs
dvds
film
industry
internet
law
legislation
mayor
mayor bloomberg
meredith vieira
movies
mpaa
new york
new york city
News: NYC
nyc
nypd
office
police
seinfeld
technology
the city
the office
theatre
today show
tv
united states
video
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
The fallout from an electrical fire, among other safety and maintenance concerns, has sparked anger inside the 40-story tower known as The Greenpoint.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Company that won $23M NYPD building contract was investigated by LI watchdog
By
Ben Feuerherd
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
By
Michael Sol Warren
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .