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September 6, 2008 9:23:49 PM CDT

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DVD Pirates Outwit Hollywood

Posted Oct 26, 07 7:18 AM CDT in Business,  Technology,  Arts & Living,  US 

(Newser) – The high-profile Oscar hopeful American Gangster opens next week—but it's already available as a pirated DVD for $5 or for free via internet file-sharing sites. American Gangster is the latest example of the upper hand that bootleggers have gained of late in their war against security measures, the Wall Street Journal reports. And the bootlegs are pristine quality, too.

In recent years, the studios' heightened security successfully staved off pre-release movie piracy. This year, however, Ratatouille, Sicko and Hostel: Part II have all appeared online before their cinema release. Studios have suspected in the past that some leaks came from Academy members who screen films to recommend them for Oscars, but no copies of American Gangster were sent out.

Source Wall Street Journal

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The facade of the Apollo theatre is seen where the Premiere of "American Gangster" was held Friday, Oct. 19, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)   (Associated Press)
Flo, a DVD sniffing dog, drops a case in exchange for her reward of a tennis ball after finding a box of pirate discs during a demonstration in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007. While the dogs have...   (Associated Press)
Flo, a DVD sniffer dog, waits for her reward after finding a box of pirated discs in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007. While the dogs have been lauded for their efforts in helping authorities crack down...   (Associated Press)
In a file photo pirated movie DVDs are seen on sale beside a sidewalk in Beijing Tuesday Nov. 14, 2006. The Chinese government on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 criticized U.S. plans to file World Trade Organization...   (Associated Press)
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