Media Wonk

Full disclosure from DVD-CCA - November 19, 2007

The DVD-Copy Control Assn. may have decided to hold off on considering managed-copy for DVDs (at least for now) but that doesn't mean it hasn't been busy.

On Friday, the group posted on its web site the final version of the CSS managed-recording amendment authorizing the use of CSS for manufacturing on demand (in-store burning) and electronic sell-through (download-and-burn). It also included a link to a formal "Notice" to all CSS licensees spelling out the amendment's effective date after which a licensee can begin commercial deployment of MOD and/or EST services.

Yet for an effort that was supposed to resolve concerns about the compatibility between burned discs and set-top DVD players, DVD-CCA seems mighty concerned about...well, compatibility issues raised by managed-recording--not to mention its potential liability should consumers end up feeling duped (if you'll pardon the pun).

The notice spells out, in underlined, bold-face capital letters, that "AS A PRE-CONDITION TO
COMMERCIALIZATION OF MOD OR EST SERVICES USING CSS SECURE MANAGED RECORDING AND AS A PRE-CONDITION TO THE SALE OF CSS RECORDABLE DVDs, CSS LICENSEES MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO THE DVD CCA AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT CONCERNING THESE CONSUMER NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE"

The required notification includes the text (this time in bold-face only): "This disc is expected to play back in DVD Video 'play only' devices, and may not play in other DVD devices, including recorders and PC drives"

In MOD implementations, the notification must be disclosed to the consumer in the processing of ordering a disc and before the ordering and payment process is completed. It also must be printed on the packaging of the finished product.

In EST implementations, the disclosure must appear on the packaging of CSS Recordable Discs as well as on the discs themselves. It must be repeated at the time an order for a title is placed.

Licensees can begin commercial operation of MOD and EST services immediately upon the receipt of a signed copy of the Acknowledgment, with one notable exception.

The managed-copy amendment does not apply to Japan, where DVD recorders outnumber playback-only devices and could create more compatibility problems.

That means Japan will likely be using CPRM for managed-recording, as the EST service recently launched there by Warner Bros. and telecom provider KIDDI does.

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