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Cross-country drive on 2 gallons of gas
CHICAGO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Charges were dropped Friday against a Chicago woman accused of illegally taping "Twilight: New Moon" during her sister's birthday party at a suburban theater.
Samantha Tumpach, 22, had been charged with a felony and could have faced three years in prison for copyright violation, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. She spent two days in jail after her arrest Nov. 28.
The arrest at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont became national news. Chris Weitz, who directed the movie, e-mailed the Sun-Times to say the felony charge was an over-reaction.
"There is, needless to say, a difference between trying to protect the copyright of a film and making an unfair example of someone who clearly seems not to have any intentions towards video piracy," he said.
Tumpach's video camera contained footage of guests singing "Happy Birthday," ads and previews of coming attractions, along with a few short clips from the movie. She said theater employees did not warn her before she entered the theater about taping.
The law is aimed at people who surreptitiously tape new releases for bootleg DVDs and videotapes.
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