Not surprisingly, the latest Potter took $58.18 million in North America, including the record Tuesday midnight screening tally of $22.2 million, and a further $45.85 million in 33 international markets for a record breaking one-day global total of $104 million. The international figure includes a staggering $7.6 million (?4.7 million) opening day in the UK from 1,305 screens, which is the third biggest opening day of all time and the biggest Wednesday on record. The opening day was 35% bigger than that of the previous Potter.
The numbers in Italy, Australia, Brazil, South Korea and Netherlands have been path-breaking as well. With the Friday-release in Germany, Mexico and Russia the numbers will only sky-rocket further.
Overall, Half-Blood Prince launches in 54 international markets this weekend, which are expected to account for the bulk of the film?s total overseas box office by the time it has completed its run. Potter becomes the most successful film franchise ever, after Bond. But then Bond is 22 films old.
Getting tough on piracy
Online piracy of movie content has assumed alarming proportions in recent years. Within hours of a film?s theatrical release it becomes available for free streaming, downloading and peer-to-peer file sharing, impacting cinema admissions and home video sales.
Recently Sweden incarcerated and fined the founders of The Pirate Bay after finding them guilty of facilitating file sharing. In a strong move to combat online piracy Taiwan and France enforced their controversial ?three strikes and you?re out? law whereby copyright infringers, after three written warnings, would be debarred from using the Net. Countries like Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan have also come up with tough laws against online piracy. The UK, adopting a relatively softer stance albeit, has proposed new powers for media regulator Ofcom to force internet service providers (ISPs) to notify customers if they are infringing copyright. If they continue to offend, ISPs will hand over their details to the rights owner and a civil action can be pursued.
Cam-cording is still the principal source for counterfeit copies of new releases. Not only does cinema staff need to turn camcorders away but numerous countries where cam-cording is still not a criminal offence need to change laws pronto.
These days, film production and distribution outfits have been hiring anti-piracy companies to zap hundreds of peer-to-peer sites on a daily basis. To combat physical piracy, designated crackdown groups periodically raid high street outlets and persons vending pirated material.
It is heartening that governments are aiding the creative industries to flush out the inexorable rise of online piracy, however, legislative measures alone will not eradicate the film mafia. Active consumer education and technology are as crucial to tackle the menace that is swiftly destroying the world?s entertainment industry.
Bollywood so far
With New York, Kambakkth Ishq and Shortkut generating mixed consumer feedback and dissimilar box office results in different markets, all eyes are on Luck and Love Aaj Kal, both eagerly awaited titles with diametrically opposite genres. As Ramadan sets in next month, Life Partner and Kaminey will be the final releases before Bollywood embarks on its month-long holiday.
?The author heads marketing, syndication & distribution for the UK & Europe at Studio 18, and can be reached on garg.tan@gmail.com