An appeals judge ruled that companies like CleanFlicks, who edit movies to remove offensive language and scenes, are breaking copyright laws by providing this service to their customers. It appears that in this case Justice really is blind, since every one I know with kids has said at one time or another — “its a really great movie when they show it on network TV, why can’t I buy that version in the store?” This ruling is being noticed and ridiculed all around the world, including this excellent post from a blogger in Australia.

For example, take the move My Cousin Vinnie. This is one of my favorite movies, its ‘falling off the couch’ funny when you watch it on network TV. But watch the DVD and the foul language will turn your ears red! I’m no prude, but language and sex have thier place and many of the movies that Hollyweird produces are actually better without most of it.

This is another example of judges legislating from the bench. A single judge can destroy an industry that is obviously needed and appreciated and that is just plain wrong. The studios are making their money from these sales, they are not pirated movies, and any claims to artistic integrity can be refuted by the prevalence of ‘director’s cut’ releases, network TV cuts or edited versions for airplane viewers.