It was only a matter of time. The Motion Picture Association of America and movie theaters have updated their guidelines to officially ban Google Glass and other wearable technology that s capable of recording. In other words, as always, the copyright-conscious industry doesn t want people recording movies.
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward using any recording device while movies are being shown, the MPAA and the National Association of Theatre Owners said in a joint statement.
How binding are the rules for movie theaters, and how will they be enforced as wearables pop up on people s heads and temples and wrists and who knows where else? The groups said they d leave that up to theater owners.
At least one theater has dealt with Glass before. Earlier this year, an Ohio moviegoer was yanked out of a theater and questioned by law enforcement for watching while wearing Glass. He wasn t recording; he was relying on the prescription lenses, and later given free movie passes for the trouble. Moral of the story? If you re a vision-challenged Glass owner, you might want to take along another pair of specs when going to the movies.
Still, as Glass becomes indistinguishable from regular glasses — and other wearables become ubiquitous — theaters are bound to have their hands full as they try to enforce the updated rules.
For those keeping track at home, here are some places we know of where Google Glass has been banned, and where its use has been encouraged. Yay:Burning buildings, and maybe the bedroom. At least one opera house. In an operating room. A hotel bar. Nay: Movie theaters, obviously. A car. A bar. Another bar. And finally — (snicker) — Google s shareholder meeting.
Photo by Ole Spata/AFP/Getty Images
