Here’s Looking At You, Strawberries

Nice touch, but soo..illegal. Be careful the FBI really does take this kind of copyright infringement seriously. They don't care if you are doing it out of the kindness of your heart and it appears that you are not making money from it. They just swoop in and take it all. Equipment such as projectors, DVD players, etc. all go away. And the fines can be enormous.

http://www.mpaa.org/contentprotection/public-performance-law

thankfully this didn't violate the public performance law. everyone enjoyed their dinner, treats and sangria until 9pm, and then the place closed up. after that, the owner put on a movie to enjoy with his neighbors while he did dishes. that's how i understand it.

Yes, OhHum is so right, and I'm surprised that Manjares didn't know about this. The only way you can do this and NOT get fined or worse is by having an "Educator" there to speak about the film.

Some folks really know how to take the joy out of living. If this was a "bustable" offense and actually enforced, I'd have to ask, who's paying attention to real crime?

Maybe there was an "educator" speaking at the film's showing...either way, I hope Manjares will continue finding innovative ways to stay in business and continue serving as "Westvill's "living room."

Truth Avenger - We don't get to choose which laws we can ignore. Although many people break the copyright laws every day and are not caught it only takes one article in the media for a struggling entrepreneur to lose it all. I've seen it happen. One can roll the dice and see what happens. Messing with the MPAA and their deep pockets is a lose,lose, situation. If they choose to make an example of you they can ruin your life. It's only business.

Also, I guess copyright infringement doesn't qualify as "real crime" to TruthAvenger. He must not be a struggling artist, nor know of anyone who is or has been. Intellectual property should always be protected and it seems as though it's a no-brainer to have at least checked into it.

The MPAA site listed by another commentator makes it very clear that viewers should be personal friends or guests in a private home. That wasn't the case here, especially because the email flyer that was sent out asked others to forward the invitation, to spread the word. So, this must be an "after-hours" venue?

Good idea, just do it within the legal constraints of industry. Announce who the Educator will be and presto, you're good to go.

Whoa... Take a breath folks. Do you crime busters know for sure that laws were violated. Who exactly was injured? What, if anything was stolen? Do we have a real case here of copyright infringement, or breach of performance law, or just idle speculation by folks with too much time on their hands?

Truth Avenger - I am trying to make Manjares aware, that if the article about his monthly movie fest is accurate and in a hypothetical world, he didn't pay for a license to show Casablanca to the patrons of his restaurant, he might find himself in a situation he couldn't dig out of. I'm sure he knew he needed a license and paid for one, so he need not worry.
You're not doing him a favor by scoffing at what has been said in this thread. in any event, someone other than Manjares might receive some information that would save their bottom.

OhHum... I appreciate your looking out for Manjares. Would their interests have been better-served by your picking up the phone and offering your sage advice privately, rather than in an open forum where speculation sometimes creates perception and concerns are raised that,quite possibly, are completely unhitched to the reality of the situation? Just to correct the record, I am not scoffing. I just refuse to borrow trouble where non may exist and would be the first to agree that if they were somehow in breach of laws, they should cease and desist. Until that "fact" has been established, I will continue to look forward to tasting one of those delicious-looking sangrias pictured in the article and try to steer clear of the entertainment police.

I am assuming that Mr. OhHum a/k/a Mr. Know It All or Mr. Buzzkill has a valid license to practice law in the State of Connecticut. I am sure that he would never engage in the unauthorized practice of law which, itself, is illegal.

If he indeed is licensed to practice law, I am sure that he would never dispense any legal advice by simply shooting off his mouth without first investigating all of the applicable facts and then applying the law.

speaking as someone with a passing familiarity with maritime law, my advice would be to take to the sea!