NEW YORK (AP):

Secretly videotaping movies in a New York City cinema for illegal sale on the street would be a misdemeanour, with penalties including possible jail time, under a bill approved by the City Council on Thursday.

Movie bootlegging cost major film studios more than US$6 billion in 2005, according to the Motion Picture Association of America, an advocate of the motion picture, home video and television industries. The association says more than 90 per cent of pirated films are generated by people who record them in theatres and then sell the duplications for mass reproduction or post them on the Internet, sometimes just hours after the movie has premiered.

Authorities say New York is a major source of film piracy, with more than 40 per cent of movies that are ripped off and resold in the United States being generated in the city.

"We have an opportunity here to respond to that illegal activity in a way that could help support the film industry far beyond the five boroughs," City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said.

Legal enterprises

Currently, when someone is caught recording a movie in a city theatre, the violation carries a US$250 fine. Under legislation passed by the City Council, the crime would become a misdemeanour punishable by up to six months in jail and fines of up to US$5,000.

"Videotaping a film is stealing from legal enterprises, and the penalty for that action should be strict," said Councilman David Yassky, who sponsored the measure.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg supports the bill, a spokesman said. He also is urging state lawmakers to support a bill that would similarly classify theatre videotaping as a misdemeanour but also make the second offence a felony.