Digital copies that come with Blu-Ray actually expire (2 Viewers)

Mike_G · Oct 8, 2009

Hi all,
I bought Risky Business on Blu-Ray and popped in the digital copy DVD that came with it, only to be told that the offer expired. EXPIRED.
Apparently, the offer expired on Sept. 16 but they still sell the discs, so if you have any digital copies lying around, it would be best to get them taken care of ASAP.
But this is what I don't understand - why bother expiring a DIGITAL COPY? What does WB lose if the offer expires Sept. 16, 2009 or Sept. 16, 3009? They're not losing money off this.

ManW_TheUncool · Oct 8, 2009

I imagine they don't want to devote online resources to hosting them indefinitely. However, yeah, one would think they should host the DCs for longer than merely a year or so, especially if they're gonna tout them as special features and possibly charge a little extra for them.

_Man_

Mike_G · Oct 8, 2009

The movie comes on a disc, all they need to do is host the validation, which doesn't take up a lot of resources.

LarryH · Oct 8, 2009

So is this expiration prominently displayed on the packaging?? If not, this would appear to be a pretty blatant case of false labeling.

ATimson · Oct 8, 2009

Originally Posted by LarryH

So is this expiration prominently displayed on the packaging?? If not, this would appear to be a pretty blatant case of false labeling.

I know that at least on some titles, like Dark City, it is. I was wondering if any company was going to actually pull that. Apparently the answer is "yes".

ManW_TheUncool · Oct 8, 2009

Originally Posted by ATimson ">[/url]

I know that at least on some titles, like [i]Dark City[/i], it is. I was wondering if any company was going to actually pull that. Apparently the answer is "yes".
[/QUOTE]I don't remember any of them labeling an expiration date on the outside, but then again, I didn't look carefully for that. I'm pretty sure if it was labeled, it'd be on some sticker on the plastic shrinkwrap, which would be thrown out as soon as you open the BD. Well, I suppose it could also be stuck to a slipcover in some cases, but I really don't remember seeing expiration dates for those either.

I've personally only ever noticed/seen the expiration notice in the DC paper insert (w/ the code) inside the case.

Sounds like this could easily become cause for some class action suit against the studios.

ManW_TheUncool · Oct 8, 2009

Originally Posted by Mike_G

The movie comes on a disc, all they need to do is host the validation, which doesn't take up a lot of resources.

True that at least for most cases near as I can tell. Some people have reported that some DCs require actual download of the DC content, not just authentication, though I don't know if that's really true.

_Man_

Mike_G · Oct 8, 2009

My Dark City is still wrapped. It says "BONUS DIGITAL COPY" (open here for full restrictions). Of course you then have to open it in the store to read it, which lessens the adhesive. Anyway, inside it says it expires on July 29, 2009.

Lame.

I mean, they go through the trouble of MAKING it, why not just allow people to download it?

I took pics of the label, but I'm too tired to go through the trouble of posting it to flickr.

Ron-P · Oct 8, 2009

I wish we didn't have to pay for these when buying some Blu-ray titles. I don't use them yet have no option to spend less and get a Blu-ray without a digi-copy.

Cees Alons · Oct 9, 2009

Originally Posted by Mike_G

I took pics of the label, but I'm too tired to go through the trouble of posting it to flickr.

Mike,

On this new platform, you can upload a picture directly when posting.

(And, lame indeed, to have the DC expiring.)

Cees

Christian Preischl · Oct 9, 2009

Virtually all digital copies that I have received with my Blu-rays (I'd say about 30-40 or so) expire approx. 1 year after release. It's always hidden in the fine print. Basically that means that after 1 year you have another worthless coaster lying around. Yup, real environment-friendly. But hey... at least we have eco-friendly packaging now.

Sam Favate · Oct 9, 2009

Yet another reason why "digital copies" are just a gimmick, not to mention a waste of everyone's time. I have never known anyone to use them. If they want to go this route, a better way is Disney's added DVD copy of the film, which lets people use that in a car for kids, or on a TV without a BD, etc.

cafink · Oct 9, 2009

I competely agree with Sam. Personally, I would get much more use out of a DVD copy than a "digital" copy, in which I have precisely zero interest.

David_B_K · Oct 9, 2009

I know one guy who uses them. I usually give mine to him. I have no interest in watching movies on a teeny screen.

Mike_G · Oct 9, 2009

I've never tried a digital copy so I don't know how "gimmicky" it is. I can tell you that my Macbook Pro doesn't have a Blu-Ray drive, so I think the word "gimmicky" is off here.

At least until I can watch movies directly on my laptop.

And even then, I like to watch movies while at the gym to pass time. When you've seen a movie 1000x, you're not lessening the experience by watching it on an iPhone.

ManW_TheUncool · Oct 9, 2009

Originally Posted by Mike_G

Yeah, I too wish more studios would just include the DVD version like Disney does, instead of a DC, if they really want to do something like that. But oh well...

_Man_

dpippel · Oct 9, 2009

Originally Posted by Mike_G

I've never tried a digital copy so I don't know how "gimmicky" it is. I can tell you that my Macbook Pro doesn't have a Blu-Ray drive, so I think the word "gimmicky" is off here.

Digital Copy is distributed on a standard-def DVD. It doesn't require a Blu-ray drive or player.

Andrew Pierce · Oct 9, 2009

All the more reason we need to be able to rip and resample these things to play on whatever hardware we like, like we can with DVDs. You bought it, you own it, and I don't care what the RIAA says. So now we just need some enterprising Blu-Ray-Jon to come along and let us have it.

ATimson · Oct 9, 2009

Originally Posted by Andrew Pierce

All the more reason we need to be able to rip and resample these things to play on whatever hardware we like, like we can with DVDs. You bought it, you own it, and I don't care what the RIAA says. So now we just need some enterprising Blu-Ray-Jon to come along and let us have it.

Unfortunately, Blu-ray was designed so that manufacturers can continually update the security. Many older discs can be ripped already, though.

Will_B · Oct 9, 2009

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