Andrew Marcec » Digital Copy…Digital Crap

Digital Copy…Digital Crap

Oct 22, 2009 | 2 Comments | @andrewmarcec

If you’ve purchased a DVD or Blu-ray disc in the past year then you are familiar with the sham that is known as the digital copy. Advertised as a special feature, this is the studio’s newest way to try and take control of DRM (digital rights management).

With our growing reliance on portable technology and entertainment, the digital copy was created to allow you to be able to take the movie you purchased anywhere. However, the idea of the digital copy is much like communism…great on paper.

The studios want you to believe that after you shell out your hard earned money on their overpriced discs, that this “bonus” disc is a little treat for your eyes. However it is just a huge scam. After you place the disc in your PC (works with Mac or Windows) you are prompted to insert an activation code which is provided to you in the casing. Once that activation code has been entered you unlock the film on your laptop and is viewable on Windows Media Player or iTunes. You can also transfer the film to an iPod as well.

Sounds great right? Wrong. What happens when your friend would like to put that movie on his or her ipod? What happens when you you get a new computer? What happens when you try to view this film using a different copy of iTunes? Nothing. By using the activation code the first time, you have bound the film to that device…no questions. So what does this mean?

This means that the movie studios are telling you how you can watch the movie that you rightfully own! This is atrocious and, I feel, pours fuel on the fire of piracy. Why can’t I do what I want with my film?

Be forewarned the next time you pick up a movie with the Digital Copy “bonus feature”, remember it’s just the studio playing big brother even more.