Copy protection: Is it worth your money?

Everyone in the industry, from the RIAA, record labels to individual filmmakers are trying to put a stop to illegal downloads and pirating of movies and music. It is no surprise that copy protection technologies are such hot topics among them. We are asked all the time, does it really work? Let's first talk about how to apply it.

Preparation/Cost
Copy protection is usually applied in the DVD authoring stage, and requires a DLT (digital linear tape) to be submitted at the time for DVD replication. Nowadays most masters can be submitted as a DVD-R, but if you need copy protection DLT is stlll required, which means additional cost for generating a DLT. Some copy protection will incur a flat fee and some charge per disc, this also added to the total cost of replication.

Does it really work?
The rate that copy protection is hacked is faster than the blink of an eye. A true story that I've heard: someone incorporated copy protection onto his DVD, he was given a check disc to verify during replication, he could not copy it in anyway. However, by the time all his DVD were produced, he found a way to hack it. So you'll be the judge.

Are we doomed?
While it could be fairly easy for someone who is computer savvy to download or copy a disc effortlessly, for the rest of the population, copy protection is still somewhat effective. If you have the budget and concern, copy protection is still a good option and give you the peace of mind. Alternatively, invest in unique packaging, create a collector's edition for the DVD. Pirates rip movies, but they rarely can afford to copy the packaging too. Design a customized DVD box and inside packaging, give people some good reason to buy the DVD.