Cinema’s Owners Sue Century Theatres

The owners of an independent cinema in Palm Springs sued Century Theatres Inc., accusing the San Rafael, Calif.-based theater chain of illegally blocking distribution of major films to their movie house.

Steve Mason, a co-owner of the Cinemas Palme D’Or, alleges in a suit filed in federal court in Los Angeles that a common movie industry practice known as clearance is to blame for his theater being constantly denied major motion picture releases. Under the practice, movie chains ask studios for exclusive screening rights within a certain radius around their theaters. Studios usually get better terms for all of the theaters if they agree.

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Seema Mehta