bingo83
29/Mar/06, 06:36 PM
Universal Pictures has announced what it says is the world’s first “download-to-own” film service online.
The service, to be launched April 10, marks the first legitimate means of downloading and owning a movie release, according to the company. Currently, movies can be legally downloaded for a short rental period.
Consumers will be able to access a film, at midnight on the day the DVD is released. It will be provided in three formats: a file for downloading to a computer, a file for use on a portable device, and a DVD copy sent by mail. The downloads will not expire.
“Consumers are becoming more and more demanding. This service offers instant access and flexibility for consumers to watch films wherever they like,” said Eddie Cunningham, chair of Universal Pictures UK.
The films will be available on the Lovefilm and AOL websites.
The service will begin with a collection of 35 films including King Kong, Pride and Prejudice, The Bourne Supremacy and Bridget Jones's Diary. The latest releases are priced at £19.99 ($40.46), with older films selling for £9.99 pounds ($20.23).
Universal plans to have all of its 6,500 movies available for downloading.
The service will use Microsoft’s digital rights management technology, designed to prevent people from duplicating the films, burning them to disc or uploading them to the Internet.
Downloading is expected to take 40 minutes to an hour.
“The time is only 12 to 18 months away when you will be able to put the kettle on, get the kids ready and then have a great movie to watch,” said Lovefilm CEO Mark Livingstone.
I wonder how long it will take the pirates to crack this.
The service, to be launched April 10, marks the first legitimate means of downloading and owning a movie release, according to the company. Currently, movies can be legally downloaded for a short rental period.
Consumers will be able to access a film, at midnight on the day the DVD is released. It will be provided in three formats: a file for downloading to a computer, a file for use on a portable device, and a DVD copy sent by mail. The downloads will not expire.
“Consumers are becoming more and more demanding. This service offers instant access and flexibility for consumers to watch films wherever they like,” said Eddie Cunningham, chair of Universal Pictures UK.
The films will be available on the Lovefilm and AOL websites.
The service will begin with a collection of 35 films including King Kong, Pride and Prejudice, The Bourne Supremacy and Bridget Jones's Diary. The latest releases are priced at £19.99 ($40.46), with older films selling for £9.99 pounds ($20.23).
Universal plans to have all of its 6,500 movies available for downloading.
The service will use Microsoft’s digital rights management technology, designed to prevent people from duplicating the films, burning them to disc or uploading them to the Internet.
Downloading is expected to take 40 minutes to an hour.
“The time is only 12 to 18 months away when you will be able to put the kettle on, get the kids ready and then have a great movie to watch,” said Lovefilm CEO Mark Livingstone.
I wonder how long it will take the pirates to crack this.