New DVD Warnings Arrive

My Grandma was fond of saying that locks were made for honest people and if a crook wants in, he’ll get in. Apparently big brother otherwise known as the government hasn’t heard of such things because they seem to think that plastering more warnings will be a deterrent.

In an attempt to curtail piracy, the US government – the Department of Homeland Security – is plastering another warning label screen on all new DVD’s being released. The new warnings – that cannot be skipped over – are a coordinated effort between the federal government and Hollywood.

In 2001 after the attacks on the World Trade Centers, then President George Bush created the Department of Homeland Security and tasked them with combating terrorism against Americans. In 2008, under the Bush administration, Homeland Security’s responsibilities were expanded to seize any and all websites participating in any activity of infringing on copyrights. The law used for this purpose is the same law that allows law enforcement to seize physical property that was used when engaging in illegal activities.

And if the new Homeland Security warning screen wasn’t enough to deter you, the National Intellectual Property Center has a warning of their own stating that piracy is not a victimless crime.

The new warnings will appear only on purchased DVD’s and not digitally downloaded movies; apparently those warnings carry a copyright of their own!

You have been warned. So pop that great new movie in, raid the fridge, hit the necessary, and settle in for the viewing.