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Quebec Movie Chain Sued Over “Abusive” Search

Posted on July 31st, 2007 at 8:52 by John Sinteur in category: Intellectual Property -- Write a comment

[Quote:]

Cinema Guzzo, a leading Quebec movie chain, is being sued for a rough search of some of its patrons (Guzzo searches has been the subject of some online discussion here, here, and here).  La Presse reports that a Montreal woman is seeking $60,000 in damages for the way the theatre chain searched her bags.  The woman’s lawyer argues that there are less invasive ways to search for camcording equipment, such as x-ray detectors.  Vincent Guzzo responds that such machines cost $70,000 each (though he also claims that the issue costs the theatre one million dollars annually) and that the theatre typically prefers to target its searches to males between 18 and 35 with backpacks.  He adds that the theatre includes clear signage indicating that they reserve the right to search bags.  Bill C-59, the new anti-camcording law, creates new penalties for camcording, but does not grant theatre owners any new rights to search patrons.

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