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New Zealand’s booming film and TV industry in a ‘golden era’ thanks to Covid safe haven

by Stuff.co.nz — October 24, 2020

In special effects studios in Miramar and on sets in Lower Hutt, behind shipping container shields in Auckland and in the surrounds of Queenstown, screen workers are busy filming or finishing a slew of new movies and dramas.

Global cinema reopenings a healthy sign for Vista Group

by Stuff.co.nz — October 22, 2020

The world's struggling movie industry threw listed film solutions company Vista Group for a loop, but the company is now banking on cinema attendance returning to normal next year

The Digital-Piracy Dilemma

by Harvard Business Review — October 19, 2020

In the world of film, one of the most important things copyright owners can do is market their content online to increase awareness and revenue. At the same time, they have to protect their content from internet piracy, which chips away at sales. This is an often-discussed dilemma — but two recent peer-reviewed papers suggest that these two goals may not always be in tension.

UK Sci-Fi-Drama ‘Infinitum’ With Ian McKellen Gets UK & Aus/NZ Deal

by Deadline — October 16, 2020

UK sci-fi-drama film Infinitum: Subject Unknown has been picked up by Blue Finch Films for distribution in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Disused highway near Nelson the perfect location for apocalyptic film

by Stuff.co.nz — October 16, 2020

Bollywood in the hills behind Nelson and an apocalyptic fight for survival on the Whangamoa Saddle – a burgeoning low-budget filmmaking collective is creating interesting plot twists in the top of the south.

Queenstown Lord of the Rings location opens to public in Kelvin Heights

by NZ Herald — October 16, 2020

Some of New Zealand's most spectacular and film-famous backdrops will open again to the public, after 11 years.

The Japanese Film Festival Returns With Free Virtual Edition This December

by Scoop.co.nz — October 15, 2020

The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) returns for its 24th year from 4 December to 13 December, with JFF Plus: Online Festival, a free streaming event available to audiences across Australia and New Zealand.

Hollywood border exemptions lead to ramp-up of NZ film industry

by NZ Herald — October 6, 2020

The Film Commission says border exemptions for Hollywood actors and crew have kickstarted what could be a record year for the New Zealand screen industry. More than 200 overseas cast and film workers were allowed into New Zealand in the three months to July.

CONTENT BUFFET

REPORT: Illegal pirate subscription services become a billion dollar industry in the United States

by Digital Citizens Alliance — August 6, 2020

New Zealand’s Ongoing Copyright Review: What Does the Change in Objectives Signal? ?

by Hugh Stephens

New Zealand’s Copyright Act review, a long time in coming, has been underway now for more than a year. I commented on the review when it was first launched, noting the heavy emphasis on evidence-based economic impact in the request for submissions.

World IP Day: Time to Forge a Global Solution to a Global Problem (Blocking of Pirate Streaming Sites)

by Hugh Stephens — April 20, 2020

One Movie Settled the “Debate” About Climate Change

by David Newhoff, The Illusion of More — April 17, 2020

Small town Thames is the hot new location for film-makers

by Teresa Ramsey

Unique locations, historic buildings and friendly crowds has put the historic Waikato town of Thames firmly on the books for film-makers.

Netflix, Amazon, and Hollywood studios shut down maker of “free TV” box

by Jon Brodkin

Why movie piracy is much more dangerous than you think

by Ben Falk

Safer Internet Day

by saferinternetday.org

An annual, global campaign, for the past 16 years, Safer Internet Day celebrations aim to raise awareness of both a safer and a better Internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology not just safely but also responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.

The Breaker Upperers stars explain the New Zealand comedy revolution

by Joanna Robinson

Digital piracy in New Zealand – Summary of research report

by The Navigators

Research shines the spotlight on New Zealand

by The Navigators

Site blocking around the world

by --

A guide to which countries have site blocking and how it is administered. Features a UK case study measuring site blocking efficacy and changes in consumer behaviour.

Standing on the shoulders of giants

by Victoria Kelly

Antipiracy Enforcement in Malaysia and Jakarta

by Brett Danaher

Last week I visited both Jakarta and Malaysia to discuss antipiracy enforcement in general (what works and what doesn’t?) and, in particular, to discuss some of our research on the effectiveness of piracy website blocking.

There is no internet freedom without responsibility

by Neil Turkewitz

The CEO of the Turkewitz Consulting Group contends that content creators have fuelled the digital age while being economically marginalised.

POLICY BITES

Site-blocking keeps New Zealand in step with Australia and other countries

by Andrew Brown QC

The fair use or fair dealing debate continues Down Under

by Hugh Stephens

New Zealand has just launched its long-anticipated Copyright Act review, releasing an Issues Paper on November 23. This paper kick-starts a consultation process that will continue through to until next April. The release of the paper is the first stage of consultation in the review of the Act, and involves “identifying problems with the way the Copyright Act is operating or opportunities to improve its operation”.

More Unfair Claims about Fair Use This Time in New Zealand

by George Robert Barker

On the Internet, Everyone Is A ____(fill in the blank)

by

Lots of words come to mind, none of which I plan to explore here other than to note, in passing, that the likelihood of the blank being filled with a word not generally used in proper company is likely to produce fundamental changes in internet governance.

New Zealand and Canada seek solutions to offshore piracy

by Hugh Stephens

While site-blocking for copyright infringement is proving effective in 42 countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada are looking at adopting this remedy.