IP: Prisoner of DVD

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: jspira () basex com
>
>
>
> Dave, with all the talk about CDs actually complying with the CD 
> specification, I thought you might find my DVD viewing experience of interest.
>
> This evening I viewed the movie "Next Stop Wonderland" (Miramax, 
> 1998).  After the FBI warning, a preview for the movie "Guinevere" 
> started.  Surprisingly, the DVD's stop function was disabled (by the DVD) 
> during this preview.  My only choice was to watch the preview in order to 
> watch the movie.
>
> Usually, the disabling of the stop function is reserved for copyright 
> messages and the like, but the idea that Miramax (or whoever puts the DVD 
> together) is forcing the viewer to watch the preview is rather disturbing, 
> on a variety of levels.
>
> I wonder whether others have been force fed similar messages - and what 
> the implications are in other areas.  I can just imagine being forced to 
> watch a commercial for Bounty paper towels before installing a piece of 
> software.
>
> Shame on Miramax!
>
> Best.
>
> /s/ Jonathan
>
> Jonathan B. Spira
> Chairman and Chief Analyst
> Basex. What's in IT for you (tm).
> Phone: +1 212 760-1555 x113
> E-mail: jspira () basex com
> Web: http://www.basex.com
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

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