Well, then, you should release the movies you make in that form. Let us know how the market responds. John Willkie -----Original Message----- >From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx> >Sent: Jun 25, 2008 8:14 AM >To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >Subject: [opendtv] MPAA wants to stop DVRs from recording some movies > >"MPAA says these studios want to release their movies to multichannel >video programming distributors (MVPDs) 'significantly earlier and prior >to DVD release'-although the trade groups' filing won't say exactly how >much sooner." > >I'd much rather see movie releases on media available to the public be >delayed, as opposed to accelerated but under more direct control of the >movie studios. It is obvious from past experience that those entrusted >with an extra control knob have a habit of abusing that trust. > >Bert > >--------------------------------------------- >http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080608-mpaa-wants-to-stop-dvrs-fr >om-recording-some-movies.html > >MPAA wants to stop DVRs from recording some movies >By Matthew Lasar | Published: June 08, 2008 - 08:01PM CT > >At the request of theatrical film makers, the Federal Communications >Commission on Friday quietly launched a proceeding on whether to let >video program distributors remotely block consumers from recording >recently released movies on their DVRs. The technology that does this is >called Selectable Output Control (SOC), but the FCC restricts its use. >The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) wants a waiver on that >restriction in the case of high-definition movies broadcast prior to >their release as DVDs. > >"The Petitioners' theatrical movies are too valuable in this early >distribution window to risk their exposure to unauthorized copying," >MPAA wrote to the FCC last month. "Distribution over insecure outputs >would facilitate the illegal copying and redistribution of this high >value content, causing untold damage to the DVD and other 'downstream' >markets." Less than a month after the request, the FCC has given MPAA a >public comment period on the question that will last through July 7. > >Expedited distribution-with one, big caveat > >MPAA has pressed its Petition for Expedited Special Relief on behalf of >Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal City >Studios Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Brothers. How did these media >companies get an FCC proceeding so fast? Ars bets that hiring former FCC >Commissioner Kathleen Q. Abernathy as their attorney helped. Abernathy >supported former FCC Chair Michael Powell's drastic relaxation of the >agency's media ownership rules in 2003, along with Kevin Martin, now >head of the agency. > >Movies go through a timeline of staged releases that lasts about three >years. First they go to theaters; 60 days after that they start showing >up in airplanes and hotels; in 120 days from their theatrical release >they transfer to DVD and Internet download; about a month later to video >on demand/pay-per-view; by the end of the year to premium subscription >systems like HBO and Showtime; and eventually to basic cable and free >TV. > >MPAA says these studios want to release their movies to multichannel >video programming distributors (MVPDs) "significantly earlier and prior >to DVD release"-although the trade groups' filing won't say exactly how >much sooner. But in exchange for the accelerated service, MPAA wants >permission to obtain SOC blocking of recording capabilities. The group >promises that once said movies have reached the home video sale/rental >stage, the blocking will stop. > >The movie lobby wants a waiver from FCC rules prohibiting MVPDs from >adding code to digital video streams, that, among other restrictions, >could block copying. Here is the rule: "A covered entity shall not >attach or embed data or information with commercial audiovisual content, >or otherwise apply to, associate with, or allow such data to persist in >or remain associated with such content, so as to prevent its output >through any analog or digital output authorized or permitted under >license, law or regulation governing such covered product." > >MPPA notes that the Commission did say in 2003 that it would consider >adjusting this policy around SOC. "We nonetheless recognize that >selectable output control functionality might have future applications >that could potentially be advantageous to consumers," MPAA observes that >the FCC declared in a late 2003 Report and Order, "such as facilitating >new business models." > >We're here to help > >MPAA argues that, in addition to getting first-run movies to the public >sooner, giving movie studios a break on this issue could also aid the >DTV transition. The enhanced service "will encourage the purchase of >HDTV sets by consumers, and thereby ensure that a greater number of >citizens have the necessary equipment to receive broadcast digital >programming by February 17, 2009." > >But unquoted in MPAA's petition is this passage from the same FCC Report >and Order: "We also recognize consumers' expectations that their digital >televisions and other equipment will work to their full capabilities, >and the potential harm to the DTV transition if those expectations are >frustrated," the Commission observed. "In particular, we are concerned >that selectable output control would harm those 'early adopters' whose >DTV equipment only has component analog inputs for high definition >display, placing these consumers at risk of being completely shut off >from the high-definition content they expect to receive." > >Needless to say, this proposal is likely to get a very cold reception >from groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). EFF already >warns that SOC and "down resolution"-strategically lowering the level of >digital quality-could undermine HDTV. "Many current and novel devices >rely on unrestricted outputs, particularly component analog >connections," EFF says. > >Not surprisingly, the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) opposes SOC >too. "In the long term, imposition of SOC could have the effect of >driving from the market any home interface that supports home >recording," the group observes. Fears that MPAA's proposal represents a >foot in the door to much wider interference with consumer digital >applications may also play a role in this discussion. > >The FCC wants comments and oppositions to MPAA's proposal by June 25 and >replies to comments by July 7. > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: > >- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at >FreeLists.org > >- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word >unsubscribe in the subject line. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.