Poor HollywoodA recent study conducted in a variety of technologically advanced nations (i.e. nation’s that have DVD players and recorders) revealed that one in three individuals copies DVDs. This is not exactly news, but there is some substance to this study. As is probably obvious, this particular study was commissioned by a company who has a vested interest in DVD sales (Macrovision). Evidently, the studios and DVD makers alike are not making “enough” money off of their cinematic endeavors, at least as of last year (2007) when DVD sales began to sag. The thing is, I do not believe that DVD copying is to blame for this sag in sales and this is why.
For one, the advent of Bluray has surely curtailed regular DVD sales to a degree. Eventually when everyone has a flat screen TV capable of outputting HD, Bluray will more than likely be in every household in the world. That is to say is not the natural progression towards Bluray what the major studios and DVD makers want? If one has not noticed, Blurays tend to cost a “bit” more than your average DVD, which leads to me to believe that Hollywood will start to see profits skyrocket in good time.
Second, many high profile movies are now available for download or streaming from such companies like Apple (iTunes) and Netflix. For the foreseeable future, it is fair to assume that these alternative formats will take a good chunk of the market share away from DVDs. Not to mentioned that Netflix actually rents out DVDs in mass quantity, which if one figures, also dents the profits of Hollywood. If I can view a movie for $2 instead of having to buy it brand new for $20, I like many others am going to lean towards the $2 method.
Copying a DVD is not illegal either, only as long as you actually own the DVD that you copy for “backup” purposes. Many complain that they do not want to sit through “forced” previews and the other garbage that studios pack on DVDs. In order to get around that, they simply burn their copy of the disc onto a new one where the previously mentioned garbage has been magically erased- nothing illegal about that. But one can get into trouble if a DVD is copied and distributed or copied from a disc that an individual does not own (i.e. from a movie rental establishment).
The point is that I find it amusing that Hollywood has a complete breakdown if they fall a few hundred million dollars short in a “staple market.” Every year, those in Hollywood get richer and richer, regardless of what they say. Maybe giving the “poor public” a break here and there would not be so bad in the long run. But what do I know? Maybe income disparity is just a myth.
For one, the advent of Bluray has surely curtailed regular DVD sales to a degree. Eventually when everyone has a flat screen TV capable of outputting HD, Bluray will more than likely be in every household in the world. That is to say is not the natural progression towards Bluray what the major studios and DVD makers want? If one has not noticed, Blurays tend to cost a “bit” more than your average DVD, which leads to me to believe that Hollywood will start to see profits skyrocket in good time.
Second, many high profile movies are now available for download or streaming from such companies like Apple (iTunes) and Netflix. For the foreseeable future, it is fair to assume that these alternative formats will take a good chunk of the market share away from DVDs. Not to mentioned that Netflix actually rents out DVDs in mass quantity, which if one figures, also dents the profits of Hollywood. If I can view a movie for $2 instead of having to buy it brand new for $20, I like many others am going to lean towards the $2 method.
Copying a DVD is not illegal either, only as long as you actually own the DVD that you copy for “backup” purposes. Many complain that they do not want to sit through “forced” previews and the other garbage that studios pack on DVDs. In order to get around that, they simply burn their copy of the disc onto a new one where the previously mentioned garbage has been magically erased- nothing illegal about that. But one can get into trouble if a DVD is copied and distributed or copied from a disc that an individual does not own (i.e. from a movie rental establishment).
The point is that I find it amusing that Hollywood has a complete breakdown if they fall a few hundred million dollars short in a “staple market.” Every year, those in Hollywood get richer and richer, regardless of what they say. Maybe giving the “poor public” a break here and there would not be so bad in the long run. But what do I know? Maybe income disparity is just a myth.
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