They were always illegal, claims the Cuban government, and now it is simply clamping down to ensue that the rule of law is respected. It is referring to the many small, private cinemas and video game centres recently set up in the country under licenses intended for restaurants and taxi services. But the ban will end access to whole genres of film for inhabitants of the island nation.
This is not about censorship, it is claimed, as Cubans will still be able to visit state owned cinemas. These venues, however, rarely show the Hollywood films that most people want to see. The country's Culture Ministry argues that as these are generally frivolous they have no real value.
The ban will also mean that Cubans have no opportunity to see films screened in 3D.
"The showing of movies, including in 3D salons, and likewise the organisation of computer games, has never been authorised," said the government, although many investors in the private cinemas believed they were operating legitimately.
Cinema owners are also protesting because the ban involves immediate closure, rather than giving them time to wrap up their businesses, so their financial losses are severe.
