Digital copy
A digital copy is a commercially distributed
Features
There are three types of a digital copy. The first is a copy made in advance and included on the disc. The second is created dynamically from the DVD content itself. In both scenarios the publisher decides which content, formats,
In the past with the first two types, the digital copy files based on existing files included only the main audio track (often only
Digital copy files based on transcoding solutions can use the correct audio track and
Most often, digital copy solutions mainly offered
With audio compact discs, the original intent of having a digital copy of the album on the same disc was to discourage piracy by only allowing the ripping of a version of the album in a proprietary file format with digital rights management. Due to a number of factors, including the controversial inclusion of rootkits on albums associated with Sony Music labels, along with the proprietary files and interface generally being able to be easy to bypass with a simple keystroke to access the CD versions of the track and rip them to MP3, the inclusion of separate digital copies has been completely deprecated in the music industry, though a download code for a digital version compatible with phones, portable media players, or rights to a higher-bitrate copy on a digital music service might be included for an analog format purchase of an album, such as an LP record or cassette tape.
To limit the number of free copies, the disc typically comes with a single-use
Reception
Technology industry analyst Michael Gartenberg described the digital copy initiative as "a smart move" providing an easier alternative to customers compared to converting the files themselves using software such as HandBrake. Gartenberg was critical of Sony for restricting themselves to files for the PlayStation Portable that were not widely compatible with more popular personal media devices, such as iOS devices.[3]
Fred von Lohmann of the Electronic Frontier Foundation described digital copy schemes as "stealing your fair use rights and selling them back to you piecemeal", disputing claims by Hollywood studios that it is illegal for customers to rip a personal copy of a DVD to put on a portable video player, even if they own the DVD.[4] Jon Healey of the Los Angeles Times pointed out that, with DVDs, consumers were being asked to pay more for uses they had before at no extra cost with CDs and cassette tapes.[5]
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols of ComputerWorld.com describes digital copy as "nonsense, a feature that is no feature at all." He criticizes it as an attempt by the industry to sugar-coat DRM, complaining that viewers should be able to watch the movie they have bought on any device they want, and that media companies should change their business plans to meet their customers' legitimate needs.[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Digital Copy". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-20.
The Digital Copy on The Dark Knight, for example, expires on December 9, 2009, one year after the DVD/Blu-ray was first released.
- SONY. Archived from the originalon 2008-05-11.
The complimentary Unlock Code must be redeemed by the date printed on the insert included in the disc packaging.
- ^ Mike Musgrove (April 18, 2008). ""Digital Copy": New DVDs and Blu-ray Discs Bundled With iPod-friendly Files". The Washington Post.
For many consumers, if it doesn't exist in the iPod-iPhone-iTunes ecosystem it might as well not exist at all," he said. "There are a lot fewer PSPs out there than there are iPods.
- ^ von Lohmann, Fred (October 10, 2008). "Why Hollywood Hates RealDVD". Legal Analysis. Electronic Frontier Foundation. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. von Lohmann, Fred (November 29, 2006). "Stealing Fair Use, Selling It Back to You". Electronic Frontier Foundation. Archived from the original on 2007-11-23.
- ^ Jon Healey (November 29, 2006). "Wal-Mart's not-so-super downloads". Los Angeles Times.
So from the perspective of the studios and federal officials, consumers have to pay for the privilege of doing the sorts of things with DVDs that they're accustomed to doing with CDs (and LPs and cassettes).
- ^ Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols (December 7, 2008). "Digital Copy: A feature that's no feature". Computerworld. International Data Group (IDG). Archived from the original on December 9, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2010.