How can we protect

[Danny Santos]

our work? We put in so many hours creating ths wonderful DVD and people out there can just copy it.


I am not sure if this been discussed before. Are there any software out or any post production process we can use to protect our work?

Thanks.

[Stefan Scherperel]

It depends on what DVD authoring software you use. I know that in DVD architect it allows you to add copy protection to the disc. However, just like with hollywood movies, people can still crack this protection and make copies. All you can really do is copyright your disc and allow people to know that making copies is illeagal. Thats about all you can do.

[Edward Troxel]

DVD Architect does NOT add any copy protection. If you are burning a DVD, expect it to be copyable. If you are preparing a DVD to be pressed, you can add copy protection but it will cost you money and your DVD can still be copied.

[Richard Alvarez]

Basically, you're in the same boat as the big boys, but without a legal department to hunt down infringers.

The best thing you can do, is honor other people's copyrights. Not just in DVD's, but in music, software and print as well. And speak out, (softly but gently) when others do it.

Professional courtesy and respect, breeds the same.


(Insert comment about the "golden rule" here.)

[Rob Lohman]

With DVD there is no way. However, some computer formats (like
Windows Media) support DRM (Digital Rights Management) which
you can control how many times someone can view something or
if it can be copied or not. This technique has not been cracked
(thusfar), but ofcourse does not work with DVD players. It does
cost you money to use this though (no idea how much).

But in the end nothing is save:

- books can be copied / scanned
- video tapes can be copied (even with macrovision protection)
- dvd's can be copied (even with CSS protection)
- DRM protected files can be copied (by pointing a camera at your computer screen for example)

Richard's idea is better. As is trying to convince people to buy the
product (if you have the money the legal system can help here)
and offer a nice DVD (printed (professionaly) booklet, pressed
DVD for 100% compatability etc. etc.).

[Brandon Greenlee]

The main reason I copy protect all of my dvds I create is just to keep 'normal' people from trying to see if they can copy it in their new dvd burner that came with their computer.

Sure anybody with decent geek experience can take what they want, but if they want it that bad I say let 'em. They aren't as common as the lay people you are producing for.

95+% of people out there will have no idea how to break CSS or Macrovision.

[Rob Lohman]

Brandon: although I mainly agree I must say that this has changed
quite much in 2004. People I know who are absolute "noobs"
with comptures and windows got a DVD Copy program with some
magazine and are now copying their DVD's without any problems
at all.

(it is legal here to make copies of your own discs, so such programs
are not illegal, ofcourse copies out is....)

[Barry Lajnwand]

Silly question, but how do you guys go about copyrighting your material?

Must everything be "yours" for the copyright to hold?

[Brandon Greenlee]

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Lohman :People I know who are absolute "noobs" with comptures and windows got a DVD Copy program with some magazine and are now copying their DVD's without any problems at all. -->>>


For example if I set copy protection in Encore to "allow no copies of this dvd" will a program such as this still be able to copy it or how does all of that work?

[Hayden Rivers]

Basically if you set any sort of copy protection in any DVD program, all it will do is add in CSS Encryption. CSS encryption was broken a few years ago and now it's possible to simply download a program and copy the DVD.

So basically, if you're finishing to DVD, they can copy it.

[Rob Lohman]

<<<-- Originally posted by Hayden Rivers : Basically if you set any sort of copy protection in any DVD program, all it will do is add in CSS Encryption. -->>>

That is incorrect. All it will do is FLAG files that CSS encryption
SHOULD occur. You cannot do this yourself, your replication facility
needs to do this.

However, the second part is correct. It has been broken a long
time ago and a copy program I was talking about easily copies
such (and all) discs.

You just can't protect your work, on any format.