Managed Copy Coming to Blu-ray Discs

Consumers will be able to make one full-resolution digital copy of Blu-ray discs, thanks to a licensing agreement that was made on June 5, reports Video Business. Hardware that supports copies, however, won't be available until the first or second quarter of 2010.

Initially, managed copies can be made to recordable Blu-ray or DVD discs, as a download to a Windows Media DRM-compatible portable player or hard drive, on a memory stick, SD card or as a bound copy, such as a digital copy file on the disc.

Downloads to iPods, iPhones and other Apple devices are not approved, and the AACS-LA has not received a submission from Apple to make Blu-ray copies to Apple devices, though Ayers said Apple could apply at any time. The final AACS license allows for additional copying formats to be added.

The AACS is the Advanced Access Content System License Administrator, a consortium of studios, hardware manufacturers and technology companies that licenses the AACS copy protection used on Blu-ray Discs.