Searched in the name of Copyright

Hubby and I snuck out to see a free preview of The Corpse Bride last night (click link for review). Now, we've been to a LOT of free screenings over the years, but the security is getting to be ridiculous. The place was packed. The movie was supposed to start at 7:00, but they didn't start the security search until 6:45. C'mon, guys! It's an EMPTY FREAKING THEATRE. We got there at just after 6:00, if the goons had shown up earlier, maybe the film could have started on time. Instead the guards started freaking out because people were coming in too fast. They had two guards with sensor wands (which incidentally failed to pick up both hubby's and my cell phones) then two more with flashlights to check bags (also failed to ask about cell phones and my mp3 player).

It's clear that the goons are there because the movie company feels it is being threatened via illegal copies. A week ago, I'd have said, "C'mon, in Victoria? Seriously?" but in the past week there has been growing evidence of a serious crime ring operating. Last Friday, the Ministry of Vital Stats was burgled; thieves took blank birth, death, and marriage certificates. The Ministry has of course voided those serial numbers, but the average clerk might not think to check, especially if they are used out of province or outside Canada. Even more frightening is the revelation that on Monday, the offices of the Saanich School Board were also burgled and thieves took personal information about teachers and students. Hundreds Thousands of students are now potential victims of identity theft -- many too young to understand the kind of hell that may await them.

So... maybe someone in Victoria is filming the free screeners... but you know what? I don't care. I don't like being treated like a criminal -- guilty until proven innocent -- and with that in mind, I think that'll be the last free film I attend for a while.