ROTTEN TOMATOES: Movie Pirate Gets Seven Years in Jail

Movie Pirate Gets Seven Years in Jail

by Scott Weinberg | December 04, 2006

Think it sounds like a good idea to head into your local multiplex and videotape the biggest movies so you can upload them onto the internet and give a bunch of strangers free flicks? Well, you're wrong! And one guy just got the prison sentence to prove it.

From Variety: "A man convicted of sneaking camcorders into movie screenings and selling the pirated tapes in videostores was sentenced to seven years in federal prison Friday. "It is hoped the sentence will deter further unlawful conduct and protect the public," said U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson.

Johnny Ray Gasca was convicted in June 2005 of three counts of copyright infringement as well as using a fake Social Security number and of an escape charge for fleeing his attorney's custody while awaiting trial. Gasca gained notoriety as the first person to be charged in a federal crackdown on video piracy. He represented himself during a weeklong trial, saying he didn't intend to profit from his actions. He said evidence was embellished to make him appear to be a "prince of piracy."
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Among the films recorded by Gasca were "The Core," "8 Mile," and "Anger Management" -- and those movies aren't even worth going to the mall for, let alone prison.

Related Items

Movie:	The Core
	Anger Management

(1-11 of 11 posts) | Reply

DDdevotte writes:
on Dec 04 2006 09:45 AM

[b]Going to jail for The Core?[/b]
I'll bet rapists get more respect in prison than THIS guy. Seriously,though. Seven years?!!

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Dec 04 2006 10:31 AM

7 years for this and a slap on the wrist for celebrity drug users? Only in this screwed up country.

(Reply to this)

Ashron writes:
on Dec 04 2006 10:36 AM

In reply to this comment (#850289)
I agree with you about the slap on the wrist, but as a filmmaker, I see nothing wrong with the sentence the pirate got. Hopefully it will discourage some people from continuing to pirate.

(Reply to this)

DDdevotte writes:
on Dec 04 2006 11:56 AM

It seems he was mainly given this sentence to be made an example of. Not realy fair,considering the number of people before him who have been charged for the same act and are still walking free.

(Reply to this)

GreenBastard writes:
on Dec 04 2006 02:59 PM

He sounds Hell dodgy, escape and fake Social Security number aswell?
Still you can get drunk and kill someone with your car over here (Australia) and get away with no prison time? I spose it depends who you kill or in this case how wealthy the business is your ripping off. It sucks to be made an example of thats for sure.

(Reply to this)

Gordio writes:
on Dec 04 2006 03:51 PM

I think piracy crimes tend to seem too harsh, considering it's so easy to do in your desktop computer. they should just give them a short prison term, but a fat fine and community service.

Or they should do what they do for rapist, and you have to register your IP address and any computer equipment you buy :D

(Reply to this)

TheIceGhost writes:
on Dec 04 2006 09:42 PM

I suggest everyone sit and try to watch "Steal This Film". It's a well organized documentary about piracy. They bring up some very interesting points. I know you can download it using Bit Torrent. They have a website too, just type Steal This Film at google or yahoo or somethin' and it should come up.

7 years is bs by the way, I don't care what the guy pirated.

(Reply to this)

cyberrblob writes:
on Dec 05 2006 04:12 AM

Although I dont know the exact circumstance, 7 Years when compared to other worse crimes penalty's seems a bit excessive.

If I had my way all criminals would have there hands chopped off and put in stocks for public humiliation!

(Reply to this)

synergyred writes:
on Dec 05 2006 05:24 AM

Wow. I can imagine this guy going into prision.

Inmate #1- So what are you in for? I got addicted to heroin and stole a car while high.
Inmate #2- I held up a convience store to help feed my staring family.
This guy- Well I thought that everyone should be able to see "The Core" so I video taped it and sold it online...

(Reply to this)

Matanuki writes:
on Dec 05 2006 06:45 AM

In reply to this comment (#850295)
All criminals, huh? Not crime specific. Just cut off all their hands. lol. well, I suppose it's good you're not in charge. Last thing we need is another tyrant.

(Reply to this)

Mikeal420 writes:
on Dec 05 2006 11:12 AM

[b]This is wrong, but downloading film is not[/b]
Either download it for free or see it through the studio, people who sell stolen merchandice are always shady and would just as easily sell you crack than a movie

People who share movies for free online are Saints or Robin Hoods or whatever you want to call them

This man was a criminal, and I say this as someone who constantly downloads films off the net. When I download, I get it from someone who offers to share it for free. this guy was out for profit anyway he could, pirating movies was just a commodity to him.

(Reply to this)

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