The logic of this is quite simply lost on me.

Here's how the system might work:

At the store, someone buying a new DVD would have to provide a password or some kind of biometric data, like a fingerprint or iris scan, which would be added to the DVD's RFID tag.

Then, when the DVD was popped into a specially equipped DVD player, the viewer would be required to re-enter his or her password or fingerprint. The system would require consumers to buy new DVD players with RFID readers.

Seems to me the movie industry might want to consider the fact that alienating their audience won't help them make more money. What is the ultimate cost of this type of move? Sure you might stop some piracy... at least until someone figures out how to get around it. (and yes they will figure it out - that is a given) But the real problem is that you will make your customers angry.

Accusing (even indirectly) someone who is actually shelling out the money to buy your product, of being a thief is not a good way to win friends and customers. And let's face it, is Hollywood putting out a product that is worth going to all that trouble? What happens if you stop the movie in the middle to hit the bathroom or talk on the phone? No, not even my favorite movies would be worth all that trouble.

If they do decide to go with this system... look for a gut wrenching drop in the number of DVD's being sold. Hollywood thinks they are invincible, that people will always want their product. So, bring on the fingerprinting and RFID tags - let's put it to a test.

Hat Tip Slashdot

Posted by: Teresa in Film at 09:46 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 301 words, total size 2 kb.