Copies of 'Star Wars' Sequel Online

05/11/2002 4:32 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A week before its scheduled release, illegal copies of "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" are already appearing on the Internet.

One copy of the movie making the rounds online appears to have been recorded at a private showing, using a tripod-mounted digital camcorder pointed at the screen, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Another copy apparently used a more sophisticated version of the same technique.

Both were distributed via Internet Relay Chat, a computer protocol that allows users to copy files at high speed from other computers on different networks.

Locating the files is difficult for the casual computer user and downloading is extremely time-consuming for most machines. Meanwhile, the poor quality of the bootlegged footage makes it unlikely there will be any impact on the movie's box-office gross when "Clones" debuts Thursday.

Industry observers said movie piracy may hurt videotape and DVD revenues when those more distinct formats become available to duplicators.

Lucasfilm Ltd., which produced the movie, said it was submitting the piracy report to the Motion Picture Association of America for an investigation. If the trade organization identifies whoever is responsible, the company plans to prosecute, Lucasfilm spokeswoman Jeanne Cole said.

"It's an extremely serious threat," said Jean Murrell Adams, head of the litigation department at DreamWorks SKG. "I'm not surprised that it's on the Internet. I talk to pirates because I want to find out why they're doing this. And what I've been told is that they were eagerly anticipating who would be first to do this. It's a challenge for them."

The previous "Star Wars" installment, "Episode I - The Phantom Menace," also was available online before its official release in May 1999. The current blockbuster "Spider-Man" appeared on the Internet a day before its official premiere.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2002

Answers

Barefoot,

Hubby cannot wait until it comes out. I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to stop him from going opening weekend. I'll remind him exactly how much he hates to sit in a crowded theater. Heck, we want to see spiderman too, but are waiting a couple extra weeks for people to jump on the Star Wars movie before we go.

Bet both will be good!

apoc

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2002