I noticed that on the back of the Sideways cardboard slipcover there's a square hole instead of a UPC barcode. just wondering if this was an error at manufacturing, or perhaps a new theft deterrant strategy (by allowing scanning what's underneath)? sure ruins the otherwise nice slipcase.

the copies at BestBuy and Target were all like this.

sounds like a screener copy...where did you get it

I went to WalMart today and ALL of them were just like what the OP said. There were dozens of them, and all of them had the hole in the slipcover. I didn't buy it today at WalMart just because of this.

So is it safe to say that it's just the store that did it, and not all of the DVDs everywhere?

Got mine from Amazon today, and it's the same. A bit weird but I didn't give it much thought really.

just a thought, since it has been ruled out that it is not a screener....i have notice that many of the Public domain titles with slipcovers have started using holes where the upc is found on the actual box.....

the reasoning is, so you can't slide a criterion with an msrp of 39.99 into the cover of a dvd that cost say 4.99...

not sure how this translates to sideways, since the price margin is different...but thats all i can think of

It appears to be at the manufacturer. (Fox)

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=417234

For what it's worth, at Best Buy recently, I noticed this was done to one of the Warner Brothers classics that just recently got a DVD release (Broadway Melody, or one of those discs that uses the old poster art for the cover). It was obviously cut, too...because the edges weren't smooth. Initially I got pissed at Best Buy (even though I wasn't even considering purchasing the disc at the time), but it looks like it's a widespread thing.

I don't see why the companies can't simply shrinkwrap the slipcover along with the keepcase. That'd prevent this whole theft problem they seem to be having...and they wouldn't have to take a knife to a perfectly good slipcase.

-JP

this is so ridiculous. the trendy eye-catching slipcovers have now introduced a theft problem, so how do the studios respond? by cutting holes on the backs. would've been simpler if they simply not use them in the first place.

same with Elektra DVD, has also the barcode hole in the back

Sounds reasonable to me. The eye-catching slipcovers are still there, and they avoid the theft issue. Best of both worlds

Mine is like that too.

I agree. It was pointed out in some other thread I was reading awhile back that one could easily replace the dvd in the slipcover with a more expensive one. I assume there are plenty of people that have done that. It doesn't really bother me that they are starting to cut a hole where the upc is on the slipcover. The only time you will really notice is when the slipcover is off. Now, I do have a problem with them putting stickers all over the slipcovers, but I guess that is for another thread.

Yup, that's why they went this route. to avoid the cover slip change/stealing problem.

why don't they shrinkwrap the slipcovers in with the actual dvd case?

Now since I'm a bastard DVD collector, I took the slipcase and threw it out. Unless the slipcase has something original on it and it's not a reprint of the actual DVD cover, it's completely worthless to me.

"Look at me. I'm Matthew and I'm throwing this slipcover out. Oh, it's got a hole where the barcode is. Who cares? Toss."

My guess is that the slipcover is supposed to have a different shine to it to attract your eye, and shrinkwrapping would lessen the shine.

The reason they use slipcovers is so they can put stickers on them to make us angry when we have to take them all off.

My Canadian Region 1 arrived today and it also has the rectangular hole at the back to let the barcode through.

Easier solution.. Stop printing barcodes on the slipcovers.

My guess is that would make it tougher to boost first-week/month/whatever sales by having retailers remove the slipcovers after a certain amount of time.

They do seem to be disappearing from shelves faster and faster. I don't think Bambi's even made it a week anywhere I've looked. I'm not sure if they're actually being removed or if it's just a first-shipment-only thing, but it's definitely a new layer of limited-editioneering.

Then that means cashier's have to take the time to pull the keepcase out of the slipcover to scan. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it increases transaction time

Stop it! You're going to start a whole new Dumpster Diving craze in Vegas!!

Pretty soon it's gonna be

No hole in the slipcover = No sale

yea I was wondering about that today as well. picked up my copy from Target and all the copies of the DVD had the barcode on the slipcase cut out. super super lame.