Piracy Bill's Language Protects DVD Movie Filters
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It's acceptable for consumers to use software that edits out nudity or bad language from a DVD movie -- but they had better leave the commercials and promotional announcements in, according to legislation adopted by the House of Representatives this week.
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The British Parliament is considering new legislation that would give ISPs the right to ban users over the downloading of pirated material.
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(InfoWorld) - 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 theÂ 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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WASHINGTON -- Using video cameras to record films in movie theatres would become a federal crime punishable by up to six years in prison under a bill passed yesterday by the House.
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Tussle over next-generation DVD format could alienate consumers.
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The US Librarian of Congress is recommending that Congress officially recognize that engineering intended to expose flaws in DRM schemes on audio CDs to be non-infringing. Soon, the type of work engineers like Mark Russinovich and Ed Felten performed to expose DRM flaws, will be protected by law.
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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&#39;ve purchased, a concession by the movie industry that may quell criticism that DRM (digital rights management) technologies are too restrictive.
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A patent application has been filed for  a disc that would play two competing high-definition DVD  formats which, if successful, could help appease a battle that  has divided Hollywood and confounded consumers.
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Several movie studios choose a side in the battle of DVD formats.
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Companies will offer a service that authenticates movies, music, and games.
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The popular video rental service casts its vote in the DVD format war.
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U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill on  Thursday that would protect children from indecent television  programs by forcing cable and satellite providers to offer a  modified form of la carte programming or make other changes in  the way they operate.
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Imagine. As of today you are able to burn a movie on your PC   without worrying about it turning into a federal case.
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A senior U.S. lawmaker said on  Wednesday he had introduced legislation designed to prevent  broadband Internet providers from unreasonable interference  with subscribers' access to content.
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A senior lawmaker said on Wednesday  he had introduced legislation designed to prevent broadband  Internet providers from unreasonable interference with  subscribers' access to content.
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A copy of the early draft language of the revised H.R. 1201 shows the revised legislation would add six new exemptions to US Code section 1201, which had been amended by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. But the language in the new draft of the Boucher Bill is shorter and simpler, and perhaps more prone to broader interpretations.
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A company that sells ripping software for high-definition disks operates through a corporate maze reaching from Ireland to Antigua. Good luck, MPAA. In 27B Stroke 6.