Yahoo Movies Google Glass Banned In UK Cinemas
The UK cinema business is to follow the lead of the US in banning Google Glass.
Movie-goers will not be allowed into theatres wearing the new apparatus, which was launched in its prototype form last week, over piracy concerns.
“Customers will be requested not to wear these into cinema auditoriums, whether the film is playing or not,” said Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association.
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Google, however, has asked cinemas to treat them like they would mobile phones, urging them to reconsider a ban.
“We recommend any cinemas concerned about Glass to treat the device as they treat similar devices like mobile phones: simply ask wearers to turn it off before the film starts,” read a statement.
“Broadly speaking, we also think it’s best to have direct and first-hand experience with Glass before creating policies around it.
“The fact that Glass is worn above the eyes and the screen lights up whenever it’s activated makes it a fairly lousy device for recording things secretly.”
The technology, which is worn as a pair of glasses and allows users to take pictures, view websites and emails and, crucially, record video, can record for 45 minutes at a time on its current battery life.
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The equivalent movie exhibitor’s body in the US, The National Association of Theaters Owners and the Motion Picture Association of America, banned use of Google Glass when the technology was released last year.
It said at the time: “As part of our continued efforts to ensure movies are not recorded in theatres, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward using any recording device while movies are being shown.
“As has been our long-standing policy, all phones must be silenced and other recording devices, including wearable devices, must be turned off and put away at show time.
“Individuals who fail or refuse to put the recording devices away, may be asked to leave.”
A cinema-goer ignoring such rules in Columbus, Ohio, was taken for questioning by Homeland Security officials in January.
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Photo: PA
