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StudiosNine Studios to Release Movies on iTunes on Same Day as DVD ReleaseAuthored by Ned Sherman on May 2, 2008 - 10:55am.
Cupertino, Calif. - Nine major Hollywood studios said that they will begin releasing their movies on Cupertino-based Apple's iTunes on the same day they're released on DVD. Hollywood Studios Approve New Technology for Movie DownloadsAuthored by dmw on January 4, 2007 - 2:31pm.
Los Angeles - The AP reported today that Hollywood studios have approved a new technology and licensing approach that would make it easier for consumers to burn movies purchased digitally over the Internet onto a DVD that will play everywhere. Introduced today, the solution - named Qflix and developed by Sonic Solutions – provides a standard digital lock to DVDs burned in a computer or a retail kiosk.
Warner Bros. TV Group Launches Digital Studio for Short-Form ContentAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on September 5, 2006 - 5:26pm.
Burbank, Calif. - Warner Bros. Television Group announced on Tuesday that it has formed a new digital production venture, which will create original live-action and animated short-form programming for broadband and wireless platforms.
Studios Approve Burn-to-DVD Movie Downloads With Encryption UpgradeAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on August 11, 2006 - 1:08pm.
Morgan Hill, Calif. - Hollywood movie studios will soon allow downloaded movies to be burned to DVD, following changes made to the encryption technology used to protect DVD movies from piracy.
Four Hollywood Studios Sign On to Support Toshiba HD DVD FormatAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 29, 2004 - 4:19am.
Tokyo -- Further increasing the competition between competing next-generation DVD formats, Japanese electronics firm Toshiba announced on Monday that four Hollywood movie studios have agreed to release movies on its high-capacity HD DVD format. Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Studios all said on Monday they would support Toshiba's HD DVD format, while none ruled out the possibility of also releasing titles on Sony's rival Blu-ray Disc format. Both Toshiba's and Sony's next-generation DVD formats use blue laser technology and offer capacities of around 30GB per disc, up from today's standard 4.5GB DVD disc. Toshiba expects HD DVD players to begin shipping in late 2005, when Universal says it will release select titles in HD DVD format; Paramount plans its first releases on HD DVD in 2006.
Hollywood Studios Sue Movie File-Swappers, Launch Anti-Piracy CampaignAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 16, 2004 - 5:17am.
Washington -- The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced on Tuesday that it has filed its first wave of copyright infringement lawsuits against alleged Internet movie file-swappers. The suits were filed against an undisclosed number of defendants, who could be liable for up to $30,000 for each movie traded, and up to $150,000 if "willful infringement" is proven. The MPAA did not state whether it would offer settlement deals to accused infringers, as the recording industry has done in its legal campaign. "The future of our industry, and of the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports, must be protected from this kind of outright theft using all available means," said MPAA CEO Dan Glickman. The MPAA's new campaign also includes anti-piracy trailers and posters that will be displayed in 10,000 video rental stores, through an agreement with the Video Software Dealers Association. The group will also soon offer free software that it says will identify potentially infringing movie and music files on a computer, along with any file-sharing applications, and offer to delete them. The MPAA said this information would only be visible by a user of the program, and "would not be shared with or reported to the MPAA or any other body." The MPAA also cited raids on street vendors in Los Angeles and New York, in addition to actions in five other countries, as well as its backing of movie theater anti-camcording laws in 18 states and the District of Columbia as other examples of its campaign against movie piracy.
Movie Studios Plan Copyright Suits Against Internet Movie-SwappersAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 4, 2004 - 9:08am.
Los Angeles -- The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced on Thursday that it will follow in the steps of the recording industry and begin filing copyright infringement lawsuits against individuals suspected of sharing movies on peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. Although paling in comparison to the amount of music traded online, the MPAA said an average of between 115,000 and 148,000 movie titles are traded daily in the U.S. on peer-to-peer services. While on average a movie takes between 12-18 hours to download on Kazaa, the MPAA says newer services provide downloads in 3 to 6 hours and emerging technology could lower the wait to just 6 seconds. "People who have been stealing our movies believe they are anonymous on the Internet, and wouldn't be held responsible for their actions," said MPAA president and CEO Dan Glickman. "They are wrong. We know who they are, and we will go after them, as these suits will prove." MPAA member studios plan to file against as many as 230 defendants in their first wave of movie-swapper lawsuits on Nov. 15, seeking damages of between $30,000 and $150,000 for each alleged illegal movie offered online. "The movie industry has contributed immeasurably to California's economic strength," said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "It has also helped many of my own dreams come true. We cannot let illegal movie piracy continue or it will cripple this important industry and seriously hurt California's economy."
MPAA Settles Copyright Suit With Defunct DVD Copying Firm 321 StudiosAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on August 10, 2004 - 3:16am.
Washington -- The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced on Tuesday that it has settled a copyright infringement suit that member studios brought against 321 Studios, the developer of DVD-copying software that recently announced its intention to close its doors. The settlement, terms of which were not disclosed, follows two federal court injunctions against the sale of St. Louis-based 321's DVD X Copy software, as well as a ruling last week lodged against the company's similar product that can copy video game discs. That ruling was accompanied by the 321's announcement it would shut down. "321 Studios built its business on the flawed premise that it could profit from violating the motion picture studios' copyrights; the courts have been amply clear -- there is no leniency for violating Federal copyright laws," said MPAA CEO Jack Valenti.
Following Court's Ban on Game Copying Software, 321 Studios Shuts DownAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on August 3, 2004 - 3:50am.
St. Louis -- Following a federal court's ruling last week banning sales of its software that let users make copies of video game discs, St. Louis-based 321 Studios has ceased operations, according to a note on the company's website. 321 was sued by game developers including Electronic Arts, Atari and Vivendi Universal Games for its GamesXCopy software; a judge issued an injunction against the sale of the application on Thursday. The company also lost two publicized lawsuits filed by the major movie studios over its DVDXCopy software, which allowed consumers to defeat copyright controls to make copies of DVD movies. "Despite 321 Studios' best efforts to remain in business, injunctions entered against 321 Studios by three US Federal courts earlier this year has resulted in 321 Studios no longer being able to continue operating the business," reads a note on the company's website. The company is holding an online close-out sale for its remaining inventory, save for those products whose sale is banned by court order.
Macrovision Wins Injunction Against DVD Copy Software Firm 321 StudiosAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on May 20, 2004 - 7:51am.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Macrovision, a provider of CD and DVD copy-protection technologies, announced on Thursday that a federal judge has granted its request for a preliminary injunction against 321 Studios, which distributes controversial software that can make perfect copies of DVD movies. 321 has already suffered two federal court losses in suits brought by Hollywood movie studios, which resulted in a halt to distribution of its DVD X Copy software, and subsequent release of a program that does not defeat the copy-protection software on DVDs. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Macrovision argued that 321's software violates the patent on its DVD copy-protection software when it makes an unlicensed copy of the software in the process of defeating it. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Owen's injunction is the third court order barring St. Louis-based 321 from distributing its products.
Better Business Bureau Warns on 321 Studios' DVD Copying SoftwareAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on April 21, 2004 - 4:09am.
St. Louis -- The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning to consumers regarding St. Louis-based 321 Studios, distributors of the controversial DVD X Copy software that can defeat encryption on DVD movies to make perfect copies. However, several movie studio lawsuits have resulted in federal court rulings stripping the company's product of its ability to defeat movie encryption. The Better Business Bureau has warned consumers to use caution when purchasing 321's products, advising that it has received over 70 complaints about 321, mostly pertaining to problems with rebates and customer service. In its defense, 321 said that the complaints represent "only 0.05 percent of the rebates 321 has sent to customers," which have totaled over 150,000 since January 2002.
"Unreal" Developer Epic Games Merges With Scion StudiosAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on March 19, 2004 - 4:58am.
Raleigh, N.C. -- Epic Games, a developer of 3D game engine technology and titles including the "Unreal" PC multiplayer game series, announced that it has merged with fellow developer Scion Studios. Scion is responsible for titles including the U.S. Army's multiplayer title, "America's Army," which uses Epic's Unreal Engine technology. Former Scion CEO Michael V. Capps will head Epic's development and production management in his new role as president of Epic Games, while Epic chairman and CEO Tim Sweeney will retain his current roles. "This will increase Epic's ability to develop multiple games, including those in its award-winning Unreal franchise, internally for both PC and console platforms," the company said, in a statement.
DVD Copying Software Firm 321 Studios Faces New LawsuitAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 18, 2004 - 8:26am.
Los Angeles -- The DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA), a DVD security technology trade group, has become the latest in a string of companies to file suit against 321 Studios, a provider of software that can make copies of DVD movies, PC games and other software. The DVD CCA claims that 321's DVD X Copy software infringes on its patented Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption scheme, during its process of defeating the security measure to make a copy of a DVD. "In taking this legal action, DVD CCA is turning its focus toward those who produce and broadly distribute products in the marketplace that facilitate the widespread infringement of the copyrights on motion pictures that CSS was designed to protect," said DVD CCA attorney Steven Reiss. St. Louis-based 321 Studios has also been sued for copyright infringement in both New York and California by a group of Hollywood movie studios, as well as by Macrovision, a distributor of DVD copy-protection technology. 321 has stated that Macrovision's claims of patent infringement and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act are without merit.
Studios Sue Actor Who Allegedly Leaked "Screener" Movies Onto InternetAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 29, 2004 - 2:19am.
Los Angeles -- Two Hollywood film studios have filed copyright infringement claims against veteran actor Carmine Caridi ("The Godfather: Part II"), an Academy Awards voter who allegedly allowed copies of "screener" movies sent to him to be leaked onto the Internet, the Associated Press reported. Warner Bros. is seeking a minimum of $150,000 in damages for each of its two films that were leaked online, "The Last Samurai" and "Mystic River," while Columbia Pictures is asking for similar sums for infringement of its films "Something's Gotta Give" and "Big Fish." Caridi, 70, told law enforcement he sent the films to a friend and purported film buff, Russell Sprague, who was indicted last week on criminal copyright infringement charges for allegedly posting the films online. Caridi has not been charged in the incident, which highlights the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) growing problem with Internet piracy. The group tried last year to ban distribution of such screeners -- sent to those who vote on film awards like the Oscars -- but the ban was later struck down by a federal judge.
Court Tosses Suit Brought by ReplayTV Owners Against Studios, NetworksAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 12, 2004 - 3:48am.
San Francisco -- A federal court has thrown out a case brought by owners of ReplayTV personal video recorders against Hollywood movie studios and TV networks, which asked for a ruling declaring that device features like skipping commercials and forwarding shows to other ReplayTV owners are legal. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper on Friday ruled that essentially there was no need for a "declaratory" ruling because Hollywood had already dropped its case against ReplayTV maker Sonicblue, so ReplayTV owners had no legitimate fear of being sued. The ruling did not legalize the controversial features however, which were deleted from newer ReplayTV devices when Sonicblue was acquired by the parent company of Japanese consumer electronics firms Denon and Marantz.
Studios File Second Suit Against Maker of DVD Copying SoftwareAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on December 3, 2003 - 6:43am.
St. Louis -- 321 Studios, a distributor of software that circumvents the security code on DVD movies to allow users to make back-up copies of the discs, said on Wednesday that two movie studios have filed a second copyright infringement lawsuit against the company, this time in the United States District Court in the Southern District of New York. Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount filed their lawsuit against 321 on Nov. 17. Previously, St. Louis-based 321 sued nine Hollywood studios in Northern California in April 2002, asking a judge to declare its software legal; the studios then countersued under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which makes it a crime to circumvent the copyright security on a digital device, such as a DVD. "Fox's and Paramount's actions can only be construed as legal manipulation of our justice system and further proof that the studios intend to get their way despite consumer wishes, judicial authority, or proper venue," said 321 president Robert Moore. The company has also been sued in the U.K., by that country's Motion Picture Association.
Studios' Indie Film Units Oppose End to Academy "Screener" CopiesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on September 30, 2003 - 9:41am.
Los Angeles -- The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), a trade group representing the major Hollywood movie studios, is currently debating a plan to help thwart piracy by ending the long-running practice of distributing "screener" copies of films up for Academy Awards on VHS and DVD to Academy members who vote on the Oscars. Although the studios were reportedly close to ratifying the notion on Monday, the independent film units at these studios and others are against the idea, proposed by MPAA CEO Jack Valenti, IndieWire.com reported. Specialty film companies within the major film studios include Miramax, Sony Pictures Classics, United Artists, Paramount Classics, Fox Searchlight, Focus Features, Warner Independent Pictures, New Line Cinema and Fine Line Features. "Obviously, it's a savage blow to any non-wide release film with Academy aspirations," Magnolia Pictures chief Eamonn Bowles told IndieWire. "If a film is not readily available to Academy voters, it will suffer greatly. Since the complex, higher-quality films are rarely the ones given saturated releases, obviously they'll be the ones hurt the most, regardless of their worthiness."
Movie Studios File Suit Against More DVD-Copying Software DistributorsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on September 18, 2003 - 6:35am.
New York -- Two major movie studios yesterday filed lawsuits against the makers and distributors of software that allows consumers to make perfect copies of DVD movies. Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox on Wednesday filed suit in federal court in Manhattan against Tritton Technologies, distributor of the CopyWare application, as well as QOJ, World Reach and Proto Ventures. The companies sell software they say allows consumers to make legal backup copies of their DVD movies. The studios argue that the software illegally circumvents the anti-copying technologies embedded on DVD movies -- a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The lawsuit asks the court to halt sales of Tritton's and the other firms' software, and seeks unspecified monetary damages. The Motion Picture Association of America is also embroiled in a lawsuit against 321 Studios, makers of DVD X Copy, a similar DVD copying program that can currently be purchased at CompUSA.
321 Studios Files Motion Against Movie Studios In DVD Copy Software CaseAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 27, 2003 - 2:21am.
St. Louis -- 321 Studios, provider of the controversial DVD X Copy software that has been sued by Hollywood movie studios for facilitating piracy, said on Thursday that it has filed a motion to counter the studios' motion for summary judgment in the case. 321 says its software lets users make perfect copies of DVDs they have purchased as backups. The company initially sued the movie studios in April 2002, and then was countersued under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by the studios in December 2002. "This is a lawsuit about rights; First Amendment and consumers' fair use rights," said 321 Studios' attorney, Daralyn Durie. Studios that have filed suit against 321 include MGM, TriStar Pictures, Columbia, Time Warner Entertainment, Disney Enterprises, Universal City Studios and Saul Zaentz Company. http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?day0/230585049&ticker=
Kazaa Sues Labels, Studios, Alleging Collusion and Copyright MisuseAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 28, 2003 - 4:48am.
Los Angeles -- The owner of the Kazaa file-sharing service sued the recording and motion picture industries in federal court on Monday, accusing them of antitrust violations and colluding to deny licenses to offer their popular songs and movies on its peer-to-peer network. Sharman Networks, which recently lost a jurisdictional argument and will stand trial in the U.S. on alleged copyright violations by its Kazaa service, asked a judge to determine that the major record labels' and movie studios' copyrights should be invalidated because of their misuse. The accusations stem from meetings Sharman partner Brilliant Digital Entertainment -- which runs the copyright-authorized Altnet file-sharing service -- had with major record labels and movie studios in trying to license content for its service. Napster also made similar arguments in its legal wrangling with record labels, but the company declared Chapter 11 before the allegations of copyright misuse could ever be addressed in court.
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