Topic Proposal: Recording, Copying, and Widespread Distribution of Copyrighted Film

In the wake of technological advances, the growth of the internet, and the subsequent development of open-source software, the modern film industry is being presented with increasingly difficult challenges to the proper, legal sale and distribution of copyrighted film.  Pocket-sized video cameras smuggled into cinemas make the illegal, premature release of films to the public incredibly difficult to prevent.  Software developed under the open-source initiative is now capable of copying all forms of digital video, regardless of write-protection.  Peer-to-peer file sharing networks enable the worldwide distribution of pirated film through the Internet, often times using methods nearly impervious to legal action.  The film industry will need to devise a new, innovative method of protecting the distribution of copyrighted material if the aforementioned methods of film piracy are to be successfully countered.