[weegee]

The question remains, is it the duty of the police to arrest people for this behavior? The theater owner has the right to evict any patrons that he wishes to (and he can call the police to intervene if they still won't leave).

It used to be up to the movie studio to prosecute the man for any copyright violation. Now cities will have to pay for the prosecution.

Hollywood and toy companies have also gotten US customs agents to check for "contraband" like imported versions of movies (Disney has been cracking down on importation of legally released unedited versions of Hong Kong action films). There was even a limit on the number of Beany Babies that could be brought in luggage (no more than 2 of any doll).

[Revolting cat!]

It gets worse, 15 or so years ago, the crooks at the RIAA bribed enough crooks at Congress to ban imports of any audio recordings that were already available in similar releases here. For example, you couldn't import or sell the original British albums of the Beatles. There was hardly any peep of protest in the country at the time.

[Cultural Jihad]

I see your point about the broader community policing for the rights of a private company, but that is the duty of Constitutionally-authorized law enforcement agents, to protect the rights of all Americans.

[Alberta's Child]

The question remains, is it the duty of the police to arrest people for this behavior?

I guess that's a function of whether the person who violates copyright laws is committing a criminal offense or not. If this person is committing a crime, then of course the police have a duty to come and arrest him. Otherwise, you'd have to give the theater the right to detain him, interrogate him, etc. -- how else would they know whom to prosecute?

It used to be up to the movie studio to prosecute the man for any copyright violation.

I suspect this was only true if the "man" in question was being sued for damages in civil court, not prosecuted in criminal court.

[breakem]

why would they have to pass a law about this. Isn't it already illegal and couldn't the theatres already check bags if they wanted?