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From Yahoo News:
Copying HD DVD and Blu-ray discs may become legal
Jeremy Kirk/ Thu May 24, 7:43 AM ET/
Under a licensing agreement in its final stages, consumers may get the
right to make several legal copies of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc movies
they've purchased, a concession by the movie industry that may quell
criticism that DRM (digital rights management) technologies are too
restrictive.
The agreement, if supported by movie studios and film companies, could
allow a consumer to make a backup copy in case their original disc is
damaged and another copy for their home media server, said Michael
Ayers, a representative of an industry group that licenses the AACS
(Advanced Access Content System) copy-prevention system.
AACS is used on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, the new high-definition DVD
formats, to prevent unauthorized copying of the discs.
The concept, called "managed copy," would undercut one the strongest
arguments against DRM technology, which critics say deprives buyers of
their legal right to fair uses such as moving their content to other
digital systems and devices.
The licensing agreement is under negotiation between the AACS Licensing
Adminstrator, which Ayers represents, and companies using AACS
technology, including film makers. AACS LA members include Sony, IBM,
The Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros., and Microsoft.
AACS LA is pushing the studios to support managed copy and offer
consumers the option of making at least one copy, Ayers said.
"We want to be able to maximize the number of movies that are able to be
offered," he said.
The idea is that the content companies could charge a premium according
to how many copies are allowed, Ayers said. It remains a possibility
that consumers, if given the chance to make three copies of "Spider-man
2" could give those copies to their neighbors, which technically would
qualify as low-volume piracy.
But AACS LA believes that movie studios will see higher sales with the
managed copy option, even with the chance it could be abused, Ayers
said. "Studios will have to take that into account when they select
pricing," Ayers said.
On the technology side, a system of servers, run by the studios or third
parties, could enable the authorization of copies. Newly minted discs
could be prevented from further copying by employing DRM technology from
companies such as Microsoft, Ayers said.
AACS LA is now working out what rights studios and film companies would
have under the complex licensing agreement. "We are optimistic that the
studios will see this as a benefit that will drive sales," Ayers said.
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From Yahoo News:
Copying HD DVD and Blu-ray discs may become legal
Jeremy Kirk/ Thu May 24, 7:43 AM ET/
Under a licensing agreement in its final stages, consumers may get the
right to make several legal copies of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc movies
they've purchased, a concession by the movie industry that may quell
criticism that DRM (digital rights management) technologies are too
restrictive.
The agreement, if supported by movie studios and film companies, could
allow a consumer to make a backup copy in case their original disc is
damaged and another copy for their home media server, said Michael
Ayers, a representative of an industry group that licenses the AACS
(Advanced Access Content System) copy-prevention system.
AACS is used on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, the new high-definition DVD
formats, to prevent unauthorized copying of the discs.
The concept, called "managed copy," would undercut one the strongest
arguments against DRM technology, which critics say deprives buyers of
their legal right to fair uses such as moving their content to other
digital systems and devices.
The licensing agreement is under negotiation between the AACS Licensing
Adminstrator, which Ayers represents, and companies using AACS
technology, including film makers. AACS LA members include Sony, IBM,
The Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros., and Microsoft.
AACS LA is pushing the studios to support managed copy and offer
consumers the option of making at least one copy, Ayers said.
"We want to be able to maximize the number of movies that are able to be
offered," he said.
The idea is that the content companies could charge a premium according
to how many copies are allowed, Ayers said. It remains a possibility
that consumers, if given the chance to make three copies of "Spider-man
2" could give those copies to their neighbors, which technically would
qualify as low-volume piracy.
But AACS LA believes that movie studios will see higher sales with the
managed copy option, even with the chance it could be abused, Ayers
said. "Studios will have to take that into account when they select
pricing," Ayers said.
On the technology side, a system of servers, run by the studios or third
parties, could enable the authorization of copies. Newly minted discs
could be prevented from further copying by employing DRM technology from
companies such as Microsoft, Ayers said.
AACS LA is now working out what rights studios and film companies would
have under the complex licensing agreement. "We are optimistic that the
studios will see this as a benefit that will drive sales," Ayers said.
To unsubscribe please click: [email protected]
To receive the digest mode (one email a day made from all posted that same day) send an email to:
[email protected]