According to an article in Ars Technica, film piracy thieves have rigged a system to capture and record the sound of films in a movie theater.

The individuals were charged with one count of “Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Copyright Infringement,” four counts of “Criminal Copyright Infringement,” and one count of “Distribution of a Work Being Prepared for Commercial Distribution.” Each count brings a maximum penalty of up to 5 years in prison.

The thieves allegedly canvassed their local area for theaters that carried infrared or FM radio hearing loop systems. Using a small camera and the loop receivers around their necks, the individuals used a home built system to directly stream a film’s sound to a hidden digital recording system that was brought into the theater.

Later, they would allegedly edit the images and sound together and illegally upload the films to a website for public sharing and distribution.

SOURCE: Ars Technica