Macrovision Releases DVD Copy Protection

msblack writes "The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the good folks at Macrovision have unveiled a new system that will thwart 97% of existing DVD copying software while maintaining compatibility with existing DVD players. Macrovision claims that DVD copying results in $1 billion loss for studios out of $27.5 billion in sales. With piracy resulting in only 4% loss, why are the studios making such a big deal? The article also reports (mistakenly) that the market is pressing 100s of billions of DVD annually. Who's buying all those DVDs?" I'm skeptical of their claims, since historically Macrovision's anti-copying measures have been little more than easily circumvented snake oil, but maybe this time they've got their plan down.

First sharpies, now what?

[infinite9]

Because of the DMCA, sharpies were banned with that CD copy protection circomvention. I wonder what 50c piece of office equipment will defeat this one and end up banned?

In other news...

[Torgo's Pizza]

In a just released survey, 97% percent of people who use DVD copying software have switched to software that can copy the newest Macromedia protected DVDs.

Now....

[Valiss]

...where is my marker?

All Bugs Fixed ...

[kaalamaadan]

This time, shift key does not bypass copy protection.

Control+Alt might work, though.

On the bright side, this might be a good challenge for Jon Lech Johansen.

Go Jon!

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[Lanoitarus]

Maybe they accidently included the AOL CDs. Huge business opportunity for macrovision there.... the AOL cd copying business is probably singlehandedly responsible for AOL's continuing downfall.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:It's like the theory of evolution...

[networkBoy]

"killing 97% of them menas nothing. The 3% is most likely the few that are actually worth using."

Actually it means quite a bit. The buggy stuff will go away and we'll be left with good functional software. They just made the QA process better :-)
-nB

"Releases new copy protection?"

[DingerX]

...downloading the torrent now.

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[AviLazar]

What theatres do you go to? The major theatres in my area (KoP Imax, Loews cherry hill, united artists) are running about 9.50 for a ticket... bust out the popcorn, & soda brings my price to almost 20 bucks...not including my date (she better pony up that butt for 20 bucks) ;)

Re:It's like the theory of evolution...

[Lord Apathy]

Hehe. That was my line of thinking. The rest of us will continue using the stuff that works.

With DVD's pushing between 20 and 30 bucks and blanks under 50 cents each, you would be a fool not to make a copy general play. But that wasn't the real thing that pushed me over the edge to making a copy of every DVD I buy. It's the shit they pile on at the front of it.

At first it was insert dvd, get main menu, watch movie. Then it became insert dvd, get previews for upcoming movies, press menu button to get to menu. Then it became insert dvd, fastward through god damn fucking previews, main menu. Now on some its insert dvd, wait through ads, threats, preveiws you don't give a fuck about, can't fastword, menu button doesn't do shit.

GOD DAMN FUCKING BASTARDS!!! I KNOW WHAT FUCKING MOVIES ARE COMING, I JUST WANT TO WATCH THE FUCKING MOVIE!

While backing up the movie, I simply rip the shit out. God Damn Bastards

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[Anonymous Coward]

You'd make your mom give it up?

97%

[mapmaker]

will thwart 97% of existing DVD copying software

Either that's a Homer stat ("47.5% of all statistics are made up on the spot") or there are 33 DVD-copying apps out there and one of them is about to become much more popular than it was.

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[ottffssent]

"Would you be happy buying a 12-pack at the corner store, but having to sacrifice one can/bottle to some guy at the exit door for no apparent reason?"

If the alternative is spending an extra $0.10 a can on beer that tastes funny, I'll toss the bouncer a bottle every trip.

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[Anonymous Coward]

For 20 bucks? You're damn right!

Re:Something tells me...

[PapaBoojum]

The 97%/3% non-working rip software to working rip software ratio will quickly become 97%/3%

Instantly, in fact.

Re:Keep your hands off my purchased media!

[Anonymous Coward]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. In fact, with the Patriot Act, its a requirement.

Analog Hole

[Junior J. Junior III]

Every time I see a movie, I remember it. Then I go around and tell people all about it. I quote lines and re-enact scenes complete with sound effects and pantomime. You can never stop me. [tjdawe.com]

Re:Keep your hands off my purchased media!

[Just Some Guy]

What I find funny is that whenever I've tried to pause to read the FBI warning, the DVD wouldn't let me.

So download a ripped copy off Kazaa and hit pause in MPlayer. That way you can have all the time you need to ensure you're complying with the law.

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[AviLazar]

middle brain actually ;)

Re:Keep your hands off my purchased media!

[Anonymous Coward]

When I copy disks I remove the FBI warning from my copy. That makes it legal, right?.......right?..?

Re:PR0N, people. Don't forget the PR0N industry.

[fuzzybunny]

nobody ever stops me on the street to sell me copies of "Girls Gone Dildo"

You must be hanging out on the wrong streets then.

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[Anonymous Coward]

No, I'd make *your* mom give it up.

Re:Lies, Damn Lies and Macrovision

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh yeah? Heard of economy of scale? When production goes up by 4%, the cost only goes up by 3.14159265% (aka pi rate).