Managed Copy Due Next Year

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"The requirement that studios include managed copy on Blu-ray discs means that virtually all Blu-ray discs released after the first quarter of 2010 will offer consumers the ability to make one full-resolution backup copy...."

Cubist commentary

Managed copy was one of the features which has been touted from the beginning of Blu-ray. As this article points out, there are still a few kinks to be worked out: players don't yet have this capability, studios may yet charge for the right to make a copy, the central server managing such authorizations will not be ready until 1st quarter 2010 and the copy is intended as a 'full resolution' back-up to select types of destinations which do not include iPods, iPhones and similar devices. Still, this is progress and may make a small, if significant dent in the continuing problem of illegal duplication by consumers, not just for 'back-up' purposes, but for casual redistribution. The movie industry loses over $20 billion (link to PDF of full report) per year due to movie piracy. If consumers are presented with a legitimate way to move their content to alternate locations, then this problem might see a rare decrease. On a more personal and meaningful level, consumers also get more control over the content they buy, which numerous surveys have noted as being of high importance. We think that this will make even more sense once consumers are able to take their content with them to any device. That should address both issues at once.

File under: Blu-ray News