Free Culture @ NYU

The Honor of a WSN Editorial

Friday, 09.14.2007  –  Category: Links, News

David Aragon, an editorialist at the Washington Square News, has written an Op/Ed on our Boycott of Regal Cinemas:

The Washington Post pounced on the story. Sejas was cast as the wide-eyed victim, a whimpering child who offered in her defense, “I’ve never been in trouble before.” The police, unsatisfied, reportedly informed Sejas that the penalty for such a crime tops out at a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. Come to think of it, that about matches the domestic gross of “Transformers.” DreamWorks should cut Jhannet a deal.

David actually nails it — DreamWorks should have cut Jhannet a deal, for helping promote their film that actually grossed $311,381,546, certainly nothing close to matching her potential fine of $2,500.

Also, it should be noted that the law enforcement in this case were not unsatisfied, but actually befuddled by the aggressiveness of Regal. Even the state’s top prosecutor was confused by how serious everyone was taking the case:

Arlington County’s top prosecutor, Richard E. Trodden, tells THREAT LEVEL he was pressured by Regal Entertainment Group, the world’s largest movie exhibitor, to prosecute a 19-year-old Virginia woman for filming 20 seconds of Transformers.

… Trodden, the county’s top prosecutor, conceded Sejas’ crime was minimal.

Anyway, the case is ancient history at this point, but we’d just figured we’d point you to another opinion in the NYU community.

UPDATE: And another opinion! We just noticed that the above article ran opposite this opposing editorial from Anthony Marek. I guess when it rains, it pours. Marek says:

But is anyone else uncomfortable with treating a college sophomore no differently than a bona fide thief? Indeed, the prosecutor explained to Wired magazine that counsel from Regal Entertainment Group pressured him to throw the book at the unlikely perp.

And much, much more!  If any of these issues strike your fancy, and if you want to discuss this issue (from any side you want) we’ll be announcing our next meeting shortly.