Self-Destructing DVDs Face A Breakdown With Consumers

321 Studios Survey Reveals The Average DVD Viewer Finds New Self-Destructing DVD Technology Unfavorable

20-Jun-03

In a survey released by 321 Studios, makers of DVD-copying software, 76 percent of respondents stated that they would not be interested in renting a self-destructing DVD. This survey was conducted in response to the recent reports that Flexplay and The Walt Disney Co. home video unit, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, will launch a DVD rental program this August that makes DVDs unreadable after 48 hours. When the 321 Studios survey asked consumers, ""Would you consider renting a self-destructive DVD?,"" 3,839 respondents answered ""no."" The results of the survey demonstrated that consumers are not only uninterested in the rental of impermanent home entertainment technology, they also find the concept unfavorable to their rights as consumers. ""This move to create self-destructing DVDs by Buena Vista Entertainment implies that consumers are dishonest in their use of technology, and consumers are not pleased with this implication. Customers should not be criminalized when they go to rent a movie,"" said Robert Moore, President of 321 Studios. In addition, consumers are displeased with the negative environmental impact of these products. The creation of these non-recyclable, one-use products will create unnecessary landfill waste or release harmful toxins into the air when trash is incinerated. Environmental experts agree that self-destructing DVDs are extremely harmful to the environment. Instead of producing a disc that would be used when rented by 50 to 100 persons, the resources and energy used to create that disc will be multiplied by 50 or 100 times. Consumers that rent DVDs--such as the 5,051 respondents that participated in the survey--overwhelmingly prefer to either to purchase or rent traditional DVDs. ""This survey demonstrates that consumers do not react favorably to corporate irresponsibility by movie studios or manufacturers. The self-destructing DVD business model only benefits the makers of these unnecessary products, and the losers are the environment and consumers,"" Moore stated. ""We at 321 Studios are proud to give consumers a voice through surveys such as this and our campaign, Protect Fair Use."" The survey results: - 76 percent (3,839 respondents) of DVD users surveyed stated that they would not be interested in renting a self-destructing DVD. - 15 percent (758 respondents) replied that they would rent a self-destructing DVD only if the price were low.- Nine percent (454 respondents) stated that they would consider renting a self-destructing DVD. 321 Studios administered a national survey targeting consumers that have Internet access. This survey was conducted with the purpose of uncovering information from consumers about DVD replacement. Industry studies by design involve small samples of participants for exploratory research purposes. This survey was administered on 321 Studios' Web site and via an opt-in option. The survey garnered participation from 5,505 unique visitors to the 321 Studios Web site. 321 Studios is a leading provider of DVD authoring software with its DVD X Copy product. The company is currently in a lawsuit filed by the major movie studios. For more information about the company, visit www.321studios.com or www.dvdxcopy.com. In addition, 321 Studios is fighting to preserve fair use through their advocacy group, ProtectFairUse.org. Consumers can make their voices heard at www.protectfairuse.org.

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http://www.protectfairuse.org
http://www.321studios.com