A Calgary man has become the first person convicted under the Criminal Code's new anti-camcording provision. The man received a $1,495 fine and was placed on probation for one year. He is also prohibited from possessing any video recording equipment outside his home during the probation. The Canadian Motion Pictures Distributors Association had hoped for jail time.
Calgary Man Receives Fine Under Illegal Camcording Conviction
November 14, 2008
Tags: camcording / cmdpa / copyright / Counterfeit / counterfeiting / film / movie piracy / movie piracyMovie Camcording
Share this post
6 Comments

Law Bytes
Episode 273: Rebroadcast of the Globe and Mail’s The Decibel on Canada’s First Steps Towards a Social Media Ban
byMichael Geist

June 22, 2026
Michael Geist
May 25, 2026
Michael Geist
Search Results placeholder
Michael Geist on Substack
Recent Posts
New Rights, New Powers, Long Delays: Bill C-36’s Seven-Step Process for Privacy Reform to Take Effect
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 273: Rebroadcast of the Globe and Mail’s The Decibel on Canada’s First Steps Towards a Social Media Ban
Midnight Madness: The Government Rushes Lawful Access Bill Through the House Without Debate or a Recorded Vote
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Bill C-36 Modernizes Canada’s Privacy Law, Then Delays It to 2030
Gary Anandasangaree’s Vic Toews Moment Shows the Government Has Lost Its Way on Lawful Access

While I agree upon the fine amount since the person should know better, what I don’t agree with is that anyone should get any jailtime over this (at least the judge had some common sense), or any other industry bought and paid for laws. The police in Calgary and anywhere else for that matter have more important things to take care of instead of protecting MPAA interests. They should bill all investigative costs right back to the movie theatre. Another thing is, what happens if some kid takes out their cellphone and records a clip from a bigscreen film? I’m guessing they’ll foolishly receive the same exact treatment. Other questions arise too, such as did this guy have any intent to redistribute the film to others? The whole business of the “crime” beginning in the theatre is just downright foolish.
life in prison
NOW
once we have them all locked up we canmake zillions
hahahahahahaa
Canadian Motion Pictures Distributors Association hoping for jail time ????? no kidding AHAHAHAHA common get a life
heading should read
STUPID WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY NABS {{ONE}}PERSON IN A YEAR
—-most useful law of the year goes tooooo
Give me a break he was arrested for having a camcorder outside his house, well if he has been arrested for that maybe they should arrest the town council in every town villiage and city across the country because I dont recall voting in cameras on every corner, isnt that a violation of our rights?? Isnt this a Democracy where we are suppose to vote these things in?? I dont recall anyone asking me..DO U? What next?? are we going to be arrested while on vacation for using the camera to record or holiday?? Time to speak up and stand up and get our voice back before we are forbidden to blink.
Are you serious, a camcorder, just another way to make money
Give me a break, a camcorder,jail time?
Unbelievable….
http://www.torontosuites.com