Are DVDs Software Or Films?

NewsWatcher writes: "In Australia a court case with international ramifications will decide if DVDs are software or films. If they are designated as software, rental prices will go through the roof, if they are films their distribution cannot be limited under copyright laws. This article explains the ins and outs ." Unrelated incident -- FatRatBastard writes: "C|Net News is reporting that the new Warner Bros Powerpuff Girls DVD is infected with the FunLove virus. Note this only effects those who install the supplemental Windows software that comes on the DVD. The article claims that "The virus only affects PCs that load the disc, not DVD players" so I'm not sure if the DVD auto installs software if loaded on a Win PC, or if infection only happens if the user chooses to install the supplemental software."

Comments

Its the Content, Stupid.

[TheDick]

If the CONTENT is a MOVIE, then it is a film. Its all bits one way or the other, but its the INTENDED USAGE of those bits that counts.

Im going home to watch Redhat 7.2 now, Don't post any spoilers.

Both, but Powerpuffs have a virus?

[WillSeattle]

Some DVDs are film only. Some are software only. Some are films with minor menu software. Some are films with game software.

It depends.

But the thing that's disturbing is that the Powerpuff Girls have a virus. It must be the work of that villain MoJo JoJo! Quick, call the mayor's secretary, she'll know what to do!

Re:Both, but Powerpuffs have a virus?

[zeus_tfc]

I knew they had a virus, but I thought it was cooties.

Re:Both, but Powerpuffs have a virus?

[srvivn21]

So the DVD has a virus. Big deal. Just take it to a friend's house who has AV software and disinfect it. Duh!

&LT/humor&GT

Re:Both, but Powerpuffs have a virus?

[Russ Steffen]

Unfortunately that would violate the DMCA.

Congratulations, you're now a terrorist.

Re:Is a CD music or software?

[ConceptJunkie]

You're going about this all wrong, AC. You're applying logic to the question. Stop it. Hasn't legal precedent WRT intellectual property taught you that logic is not required or even desired when rendering decisions?

DVD's will be defined as whatever will end up making the MPAA/RIAA/Bill Gates/the Illuminati/the Stonecutters/Ted Turner the most money.

Mojo Jojo Strikes Again

[Bonker]

Mojo: Hahaha! Now the powerpuff girls cannot sell their DVD because the software contained inside it is infected with the virus I infected the software contained inside the DVD with. Now the Powerpuff girls' goody-goody reputation will be tarnished because nobody would beleive that the goody-goody Powerpuff Girls would do something that would tarnish their reputation like distributing a DVD that was infected with a virus!

Blossom: Not so fast, Mojo! The DVD runs just fine under linux if you use DeCSS!

Re:Powerpuff Girls DVD is infected with FunLove

[Bonker]

Man... I would really like to infect the Powerpuff girls with my fun love...

Man, you need to seriously get out and meet some real (adult) women. Besides being anthropomorphic ink splotches, they're kindergartners for heaven's sake!

virus == terrorism

[zentigger]

wouldn't this mean that Warner Bros is guilty of terrorism under the new patriot act? If so wouldn't that mean that the US military should head in and start bombing the snot out of them?

I guess this doesn't count?

[Anonymous Coward]

So I guess the virus on the disc woulnd't count as an Easter Egg ;)
http://www.dvdeastereggs.com

Re:Is a CD music or software?

[ryanr]

Exactly. And should it be determined that being classified as software is more financially beneficial to the copyright owners, then all audio CDs will start shipping with a copy of FunLove, too.

Are DVDs Software Or Films?

[sharkey]

Neither. They are plastic.