the futility of DRM (Re: DMCA Crypto Software)

[Joseph Ashwood]

Adam stated one avenue rather well, but I believe he missed a far more
important one; provide services for licensed copies. Something as simple as
access to early previews, discounts on merchandise, creative input on media
to be produced, etc. Use these options to take advantage of the p2p model,
sell a DVD for $15 (already very feasible) the DVD has a license card in it
(one time use 10 digits number or similar), sell licenses on a per movie
basis for $5. Let the p2p networks do all the real work, and the content
providers make all the real money. This gives better market research (you
not only know the monetary threshold for the target audience better, but you
get direct feedback from them about future media), and cheaper overhead (you
actually have to produce fewer DVDs, which lowers expenses and increases
profits because of the second channel). Already many movies are partially
paid for by advertising, simply ratchet this a little bit higher, make it
more pervasive (e.g. feature the products in the script of TV shows), this
lowers the actual risk of production, and the end profit is higher with much
higher margins. Of course you build a tiered system into this, with
licensing for private home exhibition of new movies being a few hundred
dollars, public viewing licenses being several thousand, old movies driving
quickly towards $5, I'm sure a movie executive could supply much stronger
numbers, and these numbers could even be changed on a per movie basis. If
anyone has a contact at the MPAA feel free to inform them of the idea,
hopefully they see that p2p networks can be used to actually increase their
profits.
                Joe

Trust Laboratories
http://www.trustlaboratories.com


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