Managed Copy End-User Blu-Ray Copy Permissions Coming Next Year

Blu-ray player manufacturers are planning to allow users to make one “backup” copy of their Blu-ray discs. Most of the current generation of Blu-ray players out there will not be able to support the feature though. Check it out:

The requirement that studios include managed copy on Blu-ray discs means that virtually all Blu-ray discs released after the first quarter of 2010 will offer consumers the ability to make one full-resolution backup copy, AACS-LA chair Michael Ayers said. Before the final license takes effect, studios, manufacturers and others who license Blu-ray must approve it.

Once it does take effect, it’s unlikely that most Blu-ray owners will be immediately able to make a copy—the current generation of Blu-ray players and other BD devices don’t have the ability to make managed copies, and hardware suppliers aren’t expected to get new players out until the first or second quarter of 2010 at the very earliest.

In addition, content owners will be in tight control of the backups made. Studios can choose to charge for the copy and can offer, or sell, additional copies.

Initially, managed copies can be made to recordable Blu-ray or DVD discs, as a download to a Windows Media DRM-compatible portable player or hard drive, on a memory stick, SD card or as a bound copy, such as a digital copy file on the disc, Ayers said.

Downloads to iPods, iPhones and other Apple devices are not approved, and the AACS-LA has not received a submission from Apple to make Blu-ray copies to Apple devices, though Ayers said Apple could apply at any time. The final AACS license allows for additional copying formats to be added.

The amount of limitations for the content really stresses the fact that the real solution is still yet to come: steaming to everything. Still, a step in the right direction – away from disc-based media. Thanks to VidBiz.