DVD Copy Control Association to lighten DVD restrictions

It only took them, what, 10 years? The DVD Copy Control Association is finally setting about loosening some of the restrictions they've had on DVD copying -- at least to an extent. It doesn't sound like they have any plans to expand usage rights for consumers (perish the thought!), so we're guessing burning copies of a disc for backup purposes is still going to be less than legit. What they are planning to do is license their Content Scramble System (CSS) to Online distributors and makers of in-store kiosks, to allow for the burning of full-fledged DVDs from legal downloads. They're also in talks with media manufacturers to produce CSS-compatible blank DVDs for use with the services. We're guessing this new tact will bring some improved compatibility for services like CinemaNow, who already offers DVD burning with their download service, and hopes are high for a DVD burning feature from Apple for that eternally-rumored movie download store.

[Via DVD Newsroom, thanks Ann]

[David @ Aug 10th 2006 12:22PM]

I guess someone finally told them about cassette tapes :)

[Chow @ Aug 10th 2006 12:22PM]

Oh good, expanded licensing of CSS!!
Cuz it's been so successful at stopping copying of current DVDs...
CSS is dead!!! Long live CSS!!!

[Roopesh Sheth @ Aug 10th 2006 12:27PM]

Is it just me, or is this just irrelevant nnow? I mean, with HD DVD out there, which is protected by other means than CSS, why even bother talking old DVD format stuff?

[Vertigo @ Aug 10th 2006 12:30PM]

This is like muggers now saying they will let you keep the bussiness cards when they steal your wallet.

[rico @ Aug 10th 2006 12:31PM]

it's still allowed to make 1 back-up of your legit dvd in the Netherlands...

[AbbydonKrafts @ Aug 10th 2006 1:49PM]

This is a joke, right? That has nothing to do with lightening restrictions. As the article says, they intend on LICENSING CSS. The restrictions are exactly the same for everyone. The licensing just makes it possible for other companies to create CSS-protected discs on the fly. I want to see them truely lighten up. I've seen many $20 Disney DVD discs, as well as any other DVDs aimed at kids, get maimed due to improper handling by 5 year olds. Not being allowed to make a backup is insane. VHS tapes are actually better for kids because they are more durable to rough handling. DVDs can't make it past most adults. Just go to Blockbuster and examine the discs. It's amazing how people just can't figure out how to handle them. What's even more amazing is that they are allowed to handle children. So.. I look forward to the day when copies can be legally made. Until then, I'll continue treating my DVDs like fragile china and store them away when not in use.

[catboy17 @ Aug 10th 2006 2:04PM]

Roopesh, for one thing, there's still a format war going on, it'll be a while especially before burners become cheap, there are tons of people without HDTVs and therefore no need for HDDVD or Bluray. Hmm, that turned out to be several things...

[Wes @ Aug 10th 2006 2:23PM]

I prefer to make backup copies of my DVD's also. I know this is not relevant to this article but who came up with the insane idea to make something as delicate as a dvd (or cd for that matter) to store data? Wouldn't it be a little more logical to cover it at all times like a floppy disk? The whole idea of having unprotected optical media is stupid. So, i vote they stop trying to secure the data on the disc and start making a more durable medium so people will not have to have a backup copy.

[neXus @ Aug 10th 2006 3:11PM]

I agree Wes. But, didn't Sony try that with the MiniDisc?

[tiuk @ Aug 10th 2006 3:26PM]

Wes - When I first read about bluray in 2001 or 2002, all discs were going to be in caddies, much like minidiscs. They also tried this with CD-ROMs, but it never took off. I'm pretty sure I read that they dropped the caddy requirement when they decided to use TDK's durabis coating, which is supposedly incredibly durable (go figure).

[Wes Felter @ Aug 10th 2006 3:34PM]

I wonder how much these CSS-enabled blanks will cost. Anybody remember the special audio CD-Rs that cost twice as much as regular CD-Rs because they include the AHRA tax?

What would be more useful IMO is allowing managed copy of protected DVDs (e.g. Kaleidascape).

[Zachary A. Kroll @ Aug 10th 2006 3:38PM]

When I first saw this article, I figured it would have had something to do with how much the user can do with a specific title.

I am always ticked off when I try to access the menu, right from the start, only to be told when I can, and can not do such an action with something that I purchased.

I don't feel the need to view a warning every single time I start up a movie. If I buy something, I expect to be able to use it how ever I want.


This is something that should change, very soon.

[Kevin @ Aug 10th 2006 4:31PM]

But CSS is a joke, right? What's the purpose of any of this except to try and legitimise a long-discredited protection mechanism? Nobody cares about what the copy control association has to say about how you should watch a DVD - In fact I can't imagine anyone would have anything positive to say about them. I'm just glad my DVD player lets me skip the promos and legal arm-bending. The only effect that allowing the creation of CSS-'protected' discs will have is to introduce more people to the idea of using a DVD ripper. The first (legitimate) thing anybody's going to do when offered a downloadable film is to ask, "how can I make a backup of this?" Who wants to download something when there's no guarantee that it can be downloaded again if the copy fails at some point because somebody left it in the car window, or the dye layer got scratched?

[Kevin @ Aug 10th 2006 4:42PM]

Case in point, the first advertising link that GMail gave me when I went to verify my previous post was to "Burn Copy -protected DVDs".

[happyguy @ Aug 12th 2006 9:49PM]

I dont think copying your own DVDs should be legal.

[happyguy @ Aug 12th 2006 10:10PM]

I dont think copying your own DVDs should be legal.I think you should have the right to do so.I back up all of my DVDs.When you have something break in to your home and steel a lot of stuff,and you lose 2 or 3 thousand dollars worth of DVDs.You should have them back up.I back up mind now,I hide the real ones and use the back up ones.If the kids mess one up,I can made another one.If the back up ones get stole I can replace them,now.Piss on Hollywood.