I had seen this in an ad a couple of weeks ago, but was unable to get any info until now.
LIVE FREE AND DIE HARD [the 2 disc edition] will contain a DIGITAL COPY of the film
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6491970.html.
At the IndieEXPO At Sea [you really need to attend next year], I asked Sean Bersell, EMA/iDEa's VP of Public Affairs and the legal beagle for all of us, and he is looking into my questions, which are below.
A similar file is promised for the 2 disc edition of HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX.[The VIDEO BUSINESS article can be found here
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6488490.html?industryid=47214&q=HARRY+POTTER ].
Here is an except from a Video Business article about it.
...The digital Live Free copy will come in two versions, one for the PC and one for portable video players featuring Microsoft Windows’ PlaysForSure technology. However, the file’s digital rights management is currently not compatible for playback on Apple products, such as video iPods...
...Consumers access their Live Free copy by placing the second disc into a computer. They will then be prompted about their transfer options to PC or portable device. Prior to receiving the copy, users will have to register their DVD’s individualized serial code found inside the case.
...Fox management is not concerned that the copy offering will flood the market with used Live Free physical discs, as consumers could be tempted to sell back DVDs after retrieving the film copy. The file is mainly intended to boost the convenience of the overall product, said Kaye...
Since this is DRM free [at least the DIE HARD version], the key here is that you need a separate code, which is in the packaging, to download this.
Again, the DRM free question comes in a couple of parts:
1) This means that this file will be available to every person who rents or buys the 2 disc edition. In theory, it also means that it will be able to be copied multiple times, since, other than the 16 digit code tied to that copy, there seems to be no other way to control it.
2). This means that renting the 2 disc edition allows your customer to download the film to their computer or their portable before returning the film to your store [If you rent it out with the box art and inserts.
3) It also allows some sharing between a customer who buys it from you, either as a a new title or as a PVT
4) It also means that, in theory, when you sell the PVT off, you will need to match the physical copy to the proper 16 digit "key", or the download shouldn't work.
While I don't know if this will have any great effect on sales or rental, since it doesn't allow for standard TV veiwing, you have enough techheads who will be intrigued in the ability to try to move these from their hard drive to the home entertainment center.
These may also seem to allow buring to DVD on compatable computer drives, since they are DRM free, but neither article is real clear about whether that is a possibility, and at what quality.
So, the final question is, since we as an industry have been staunchly in favor of good copy protection, does this open the doors to a sanctioned way to move files?
In addition, I then have the talk about the "elephant" in the room: Does this file fall under the accepted First Sale Doctine protection of DVD media, or is it a computer file, and then possibly not protected.
As I mentioned earlier, Sean Bersell is looking into this, and as soon as he knows, you will, since any response will be posted at idealink.org.
That is why iDEA is a great thing for your businesses. The ability to get answers and get them fast and correct.
Adrian Hickman
TLA Video
iDEA. Board of Trustees, secretary
Independent Retailer since 1983
Adrian Hickman
