LEGAL DVD COPYING A POSSIBILITY

Reuters reports that a group of media and technology companies, including such big-hitters as Microsoft, Warner Bros, Disney and IBM have agreed in principle that consumers should be legally able to make copies of next-generation DVDs as back-ups and to enable their content to be stored on portable players. This marks a major change in attitude by the film industry, though software and computer companies have been pushing for such a move. However, this is not technically possible yet as a new form of copy-protection, to be called Advances Access Copying System, that will allow selected copying, must be developed and is expected to be available later in the year.



The IPKat notes that this isn’t exactly open season for pirates. It seems that only copying that does not interfere with the basic market for the DVD will be allowed. Moreover, copy protection, albeit of a more discerning type, will remain be in place.



Indulge in a bit of home-copying here

More on next generation DVDs here, here and here