The felony piracy charges against a woman who accidentally taped a few minutes of the film “New Moon” while taking videos of her sister’s birthday party have been dropped. The incident occurred at a theater in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, and Cook County prosecutors announced today that they have dropped the case.

Even the film’s director was on the woman’s side earlier this week, defending her in an e-mail to the Chicago Sun-Times.

There is, needless to say, a difference between trying to protect the copyright of a film and making an unfair example of someone who clearly seems not to have any intentions towards video piracy,” Weitz wrote.

Director Chris Weitz was interviewed before the charges were dropped.

Charges dropped in Illinois taping of ‘New Moon’ [AP]
‘New Moon’ director defends woman accused of piracy [Chicago Sun-Times]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.