Piracy prevention does not begin once a film has wrapped production. Here are a few ways filmmakers can protect their movie throughout the entire development and production process.
Secure the Proper Rights to a Film in Advance
Filmmakers who did not create the film they are producing should obtain all necessary rights to make it in advance. This is one of the most important ways to protect a film from piracy because it grants one person the right to produce and distribute specific projects. Lots of confusion can start when more than one individual believes that he or she has the legal right to distribute a particular film.
Filmmakers can avoid the misunderstanding by securing the rights to screenplays, concepts, treatments and other relevant material that is connected to projects they are working on. The movie rights to a life story of someone living or deceased is another important element to obtain proper rights for filmmakers who are producing biographical films.
Give the Film Away for Free
Distributing movies to the public free of charge is another way to protect a film from piracy. This can be done in the form of open access public screenings, DVD giveaways and utilizing online video websites to stream films over the internet. A movie that is already being given away for free may be less likely to become pirated by those planning to cash in on the latest film release. Giving a film away for free may also reduce consumer interest in piracy because audience members do not have to pay for access to selected movies.
Keep Track of all Related Footage
All film stock or video footage connected to an independent film should be in possession of the person who has distribution rights. In many cases, this is the filmmaker who made it on low-budget productions. Keeping track of every piece of footage is another way to protect a film from piracy. This can prevent video thieves and staff members from making their own version of the same film and releasing it for profit.
Closely monitor who has access to the footage. This can prevent someone other than the rights holder to release a film on his or her own terms without the proper clearances.
Do not Email or Transfer Digital Clips
As technology evolves, piracy becomes more of a threat to independent filmmakers who display films online. Be selective about who will receive the full film or clips of a project through email or file transfers on video websites. While completed films may be easier to steal, filmmakers should still be weary of emailing footage of their project to anyone, including unknown distribution companies that claim they have interest in a film.
Be Cautious when Releasing Film Screeners
DVD screeners are one source of film piracy that can be difficult to avoid. Mainstream Hollywood films have been pirated after a screener was leaked or accessed by people with ulterior motives for these movies. If studio based films can be pirated this easily, independent films have an even bigger challenge when dealing with screeners. Filmmakers should be careful to only provide screeners to film festivals, reviewers and other relevant people who are trustworthy.
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