Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

If studios have the nerve to use them to raise the price of a disc, or if they are considered some sort of special feature, then the fucking code shouldn't have a god-damned expiration date.

That is all, carry on.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

They shouldn't exist in the first place. Who really wants to watch a movie on a tiny little screen ?

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I agree. Since the DCs are quietly built into the price, there should be no reason why they would no longer be available to the consumer after a certain timeframe. It is just a gimmick to advertise limited time only on their product, and create an urgency among the consumer to buy it sooner.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Why are they even on a separate disc? Why not just have the code printed on a slip of paper, and then download it from the studio site or itunes or whatever.

The way everyone is so obsessed with being "green" -- even to the point of having these shitty "eco cases" with big holes in them to save plastic -- why include all of these fucking extra DVDs in the first place?

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

But that way the studios can sell you FOUR DISCS!!! It's like going all the way to 11... :D

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Scott Pilgrim and Inception both have the "digital copies" available to download from a website rather than a disc (the DVDs included in the combo packs of the Blu-rays are the full retail versions).

I believe Disney's Step Up 3D will be the same practice.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

You don't have to watch them on 'tiny little screen' and they are convenient for travelers.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

While I have never taken advantage of a single digital copy from any of my purchases.. I would agree they should not expire..as for the most part.. it was part of the purchase.. I do understand they "license" this copy for only a certain period of time, but then there should be accomodations for those that buy them after that time or like me have yet to use them... just sayin....

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I fucking agree. Gosh darn iceholes!

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

It's weird that we've never had a thread bitching about Digital Copies before.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I currently have no use for them but in the back of my mind when I get a Blu-Ray with a digital copy there's part of me that realizes if I ever want to use that digital copy in the future I'd be screwed because of the arbitrary expiration date.

So I guess I concur with the OP!

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

DCs were originally offered as a compromise to appease consumers who wished to be allowed to rip their DVDs but were prevented by copy protection and MPAA regulations. The problem with the way things are right now is that only consumers who buy the first batch of a release and redeem in a certain time frame get the DC; everyone else is right back at square one without a legitimate avenue for having a portable version of the titles in their library.

I blogged about all this here if anyone's interested.

P.S.: It is exhausting trying to explain to people that they are not restricted to watching a DC on a 3" screen.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

They should let you download them to your Blu-ray player's hard drive or Xbox 360 hard drive.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I lost all my digital copies in a hard drive crash a few months ago. Got them all back except one that had expired and another where I couldn't read the disk (even tried on multiple computers). The fact that I don't recall either title gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that I just don't care. :D

I don't use them. I've put them on my phone to check it out. But have never actually watched a movie on that screen. Still, someday I may want them and now I don't have to worry about them expiring.

And unlike some, I'm glad they're there as an option. You don't like them? Ignore them.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

There are downloads in other forms that don't expire.

And they wonder why we turn to "alternate" means.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I hate digital copies and they always remind me of this:

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wKiIroiCvZ0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wKiIroiCvZ0?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Most Blu-ray players don't have hard drives.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Often times, the expiration date isn't true. We installed some digital copies recently that were supposed to have expired quite a while ago, and out of about 5 that were expired, at least 3 of them still worked.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I have never used my digital copies so I always thought the expiration date was for how long you have for downloading them. So the digital copies themselves expire? That sucks. Why do they charge an extra $5 to $10 then? What a rip.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

You still shouldn't need the DC. You bought the damn movie, you should be able to transfer it to your ipad, cell phone, laptop without the need for a separate disc and code.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Unless Seantn has experienced something I've never heard of, he meant that the codes had expired, but he was still able to redeem three of the five. The files DO NOT EXPIRE.

Agreed. But this is the bone they've tossed those of us who have a desire to have a portable, digital version of our libraries.

Also, to whomever suggested that DCs should be able to be downloaded to our Blu-ray players: For what possible purpose? If I was going to have to take my Blu-ray player with me to watch DCs elsewhere, wouldn't I just take my Blu-rays with me, too? And the whole purpose of DCs is to not have to carry cumbersome equipment to watch movies on-the-go. A Blu-ray player requires access to a TV. The only way this makes sense is if you looked at Flavor Flav's clock and thought, "You know, maybe portable should be clunky."

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I never cared about the Digital Copies until I bought an iPad. Many of them still worked long after the expiration date on the cover. I put them all on my computer and then transfer them to my iPad as needed. It came in very handy on a trip to Germany a couple of months back. I agree that they shouldn't expire. Just got a Blu-ray with a Digital Copy disc from Amazon last week and it was expired and didn't work.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Wow, I had never seen that before. Priceless! :D

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

This is me too. I never had a need for DC but now that I have an Ipad and travel for work, the DC actually comes in handy. And, yes, while there are alternate methods, It is rather time consuming.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

You should be able to just stream them through your iCloud now and not have to continually transfer them to your iPad. At least, that's the way I understand it.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

That's incorrect. You can't stream, but you can download from iCloud. Ultraviolet DCs can be downloaded or streamed.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Amen. I have never used a digital copy for anything, but my first thought when they started appearing was a studios attempt to brainwash buyers into forgetting they can just rip the movie themselves.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Duly noted.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I feel it's necessary to correct what I said. I had forgotten about Apple TV. You can stream with that. Granted, we were talking about using digital copies on portable devices, but still, that may explain why you thought what you did, Min.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

iOS 6, which is likely to be released the third week of September, adds streaming for music tracks in iTunes Match. I would imagine it will be the same with video, but who knows.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Weird. I contacted Warner Bros. customer service in early 2011 about the Digital Copy code for "The Matrix" having expired before I bought the box set in which it was included. They responded, essentially saying, "Sorry, you're out of luck. Once they expire they expire."

About 10 minutes ago, almost a year and a half after my original email and three years after the code expired, Warner Bros. emailed me again to say they've reactivated the code and that I can now redeem it.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Yeah, my Inception digital copy code was expired for like 9 months, and then they suddenly reopened the redemption site again and let people use their codes. WB used to be the most inflexible studio when it came to DC expiration date, but it seems like recently they have been relaxing the policy.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

So...not to create the illusion that I love "Ultraviolet", but I do like the idea that you redeem the code once and you can re-download the film on multiple devises without having to worry about expiration. (I assume. I'm still figuring it all out.)

But as far as the code's expiration goes, they should just turn it off. What dangers do they pose if we bought the film today or five years from now? They should remove the digital copy logo on the blu-ray and DVD if its a limited time offer.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

That's how Digital Copies work, if you redeem the code before it expires. I can even stream most of my Digital Copies to my Apple TV straight from Apple.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Because the studios don't want to be committed to having to provide that infrastructure and support indefinitely. Technologies come and go, initiatives wax and wane, studio executives change, contracts expire. They put the expirations dates on there so that there's no obligation for them to provide anything for it past that date.

That's the problem with DRM-laden online digitally delivered content. You're at the mercy of the studios and companies to maintain that. You said love your Ultraviolet without expiration. Well, guess what? What happens if Warner Brothers decides to pull out of Ultraviolet in 2 years, and pulls all its content from there? There's your expiration. Same goes for Apple content. Let's say in 20 years, Apple somehow goes out of business, and all its FairPlay servers come down. You'll never be able to redownload that movie from iTunes or re-authorize it on any new devices. My Blu-ray disc though? It'll still work in a Blu-ray player in 20 years. Even if the studio AND the player manufacturer have gone out of business.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

I have a question about Digital Copies and iTunes:

The DVD drive on my PC, where iTunes resides bit the dust. So I have no way to copy the Digital Copy files that come on the DVD.

If I were install iTunes on my laptop and log in to my iTunes account from that computer, would I essentially be able to download the movie(s) to the laptop, the move the Digital Copy files to them PC and have the movies work on their where I sync my iPad?

We plan to upgrade our PC situation, but probably not until the end of the year (Black Friday perhaps?) and I travel several times for work before then and I'd like to have stuff to watch.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Digital Copies have been showing up in the iCloud for a while now. I can't guarantee you that every movie you've downloaded will be there, but go ahead and install iTunes and check out your Purchases within the iTunes Store. Should find them, ready to re-download at your convenience.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Yes, it will work exactly as you describe.

Also, replacement DVD drives for your desktop PC are pretty cheap.

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

Ditto on Todd B and Mr Salty's answers. As far as removing the logo, that's what the "Digital Copy" slipcover is intended to do--the studio can keep producing the disc without the slip after the date is past. Of course they can't control how much stock retailers have and whether they continue to display the slipcover version after DC expiration.

I recommend the thread in the HD forum for more DC info:

Check your Digital Copies to see if they've expired

Re: Digital copy codes shouldn't expire
 

The Matrix set is getting a new release, which would explain that.