It's all about semantics: E-Bay sellers have discovered a new, crafty way to sell theatrical screeners online.
It's against the law to sell the videos -- which are clearly marked with the warning "This is a screening copy. Not for sale or rent."
But in at least one case, an E-Bay seller who goes by the screen name Trader721 found an underhanded way to sell a screening copy of "American Beauty."
Trader721's description says the copy of "American Beauty" is free to bidders on a video copy of Disney's "Dumbo." "You are bidding on the 'Dumbo' video and will receive, at no additional charge, a factory sealed VHS advanced video of 'American Beauty,'" it reads.
As of Friday, bidding on "Dumbo" -- along with the "free" copy of "American Beauty" -- stood at $56.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com