Disney Licenses MS Windows Media DRM

securitas writes "CNet/ZDNet reports that Walt Disney has licensed Microsoft's Windows Media DRM technology for use in online movie distribution via the Internet. Reuters reports that Disney plans to sell movies online in late 2004 or early 2005, while AP reports that the multi-year license for Microsoft's digital rights/restrictions management and copy-protection software will let Disney distribute content on mobile phones, PDAs and portable media players (mirror). The companies are expected to officially announce the deal later today (Monday)." Conspiracy theorists, start your engines; kidding aside, this is something to watch, as these are two titans of industry.

Comments

Not Important

[Cyclopedian]

Disney is not going to be a "titan" any longer. They're on the decline. Unless Eisner and the current board of directors are gone, Disney will be run into the ground. At that point, we won't have to worry about Disney DRM or their Senate Lackeys.

-Cyc

Re:Not Important

[NixLuver]

I agree that the quality of Disney productions is declining, but Disney will continue to be the pre-eminate supplier of Children's content until some one steps up to fill the gap.

Also, let's not forget Touchstone, either. Or their licensing business, which is still doing a stunning trade, judging by the number of Winnie-the-pooh and Tigger products I see.

Re:Not Important

[andih8u]

Disney was on the decline for a long time in the 70s and 80s, and then picked up again with The Little Mermaid, etc. They're on the decline again with their recent poor animated movies and losing the Pixar contract, but at some point they'll produce another few winners and be back on top of the pile again. Aside from the movies, they still have all of the theme parks and the merchandising.

So, this is the other show dropping.....

[Selecter]

From the Pixar/Apple deal gone bad. Eisner is going to try to punish Jobs for dismissing him.

Vain egos often make bad business decisions. Pixar does not need Disney any longer, and most of Disney's recent ventures have been pale imitations of Pixar's work.

Re:So, this is the other show dropping.....

[chod]

The timing of this decision is definately suspect. After Mike and Steve had that public spat. It reminds me of Dr. Seuss's Zax:

"And I'll prove to YOU," yelled the South-Going Zax, "That I can stand here in the prairie of Prax For fifty-nine years! For I live by a rule That I learned as a boy back in South-Going School. Never budge! That's my rule. Never budge in the least! Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east! I'll stay here, not budging! I can and I will If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still!" Well... Of course the world didn't stand still.

Only time will tell who really needed the other person. But from this spot, it certainly looks like Disney is making one bad decison after another and Eisner may run Disney into the ground before he gives up the controls.

Titans yes, monopolies no.

[dada21]

Thank you for using the proper term here: titans. Disney and Microsoft are surely powerful in their industries (right now, today). But everyone here has the choice to not purchase or support these products. No one is forcing you to buy Disney products, watch ABC television, or wear their licensed gear. No one is forcing you to buy products using MS DRM technology.

Remember that before you suggest that either is a monopoly. Look at things in your life and find out where the real monopolies are.

Can you bow out of Social Security? Are you forced to eat at McDonalds? Do you have to pay into federal unemployment insurance? Did you pick your car insurance company, or was it "granted to you" by the voting majority?

Re:Titans yes, monopolies no.

[mr.capaneus]

Do you know what a Monopoly is? Extending the definition to include social security and unemployement insurance is really a stretch and not really in any way useful. We have a different word to describe what you are talking about. It is "government". There's really no need to make it any more complex than that.

and this will help disney?

[zboy]

The only Disney movies I've actually paid to see in the last few years were all Pixar animations. Now that Pixar's gone, Disney doesnt have much left, and I dont think a little cell phone screen is going to make their animations look any better. I think they need to focus on creating quality features before they try and start selling them...unless they're trying to bypass stores all together and go to a direct-to-phone distribution..

Disney vs. Apple

[heironymouscoward]

Or rather, Eisner vs. Jobs.

They hate each other.

Jobs is determined to become the next Disney.

And Disney is turning to Microsoft. I almost feel sorry for them, no-one (and I mean no-one) has ever done a deal with Microsoft and not regretted it later.

Seems rather early

[SparafucileMan]

Considering most people in the U.S. don't have broadband, this seems rather premature. And would those with broadband really want to wait an hour or ten to watch what, compared to a DVD, is pixelated crap? Would you really want to invite your gf to watch some grainy compressed video or would you splurge on the $3 DVD rental?

Re:Great News!

[LehiNephi]

copy-protection software will let Disney distribute content on mobile phones, PDAs and portable media players

Does anyone around here have an interest in watching a movie on a 1.5" (4 cm) lcd? I guess some people may like it, but for some reason I have a hard time believing people are going to shell out their hard-earned cash for a movie that will only play on their cell phone.

I had a vision last night

[teamhasnoi]

of a mouse in chains. But it wasn't any ordinary mouse - this mouse was gigantic and fat. It ate everything it saw, and stomped on the things it couldn't bend down to eat.

The mouse was very old; seemed like it had been around forever. Whenever anyone talked about the mouse, it'd better be good or *stomp*! No one was allowed to take a picture of the mouse or fashion its likeness in any way.

All the people around the mouse were tired parents in chains - as long as you put chains on when you were in the presence of the mouse you were safe. As soon as you took the chains off - *stomp*!

I really have to lay off the homemade guacamole.

Re:Great News!

[BJZQ8]

Don't forget the fact that not only will they allow you to watch movies on a tiny screen, they'll cost you $7 a pop, and only be watchable for 48 hours before they evaporate...the real purpose of DRM in this case is not to prevent copying, it is to facilitate per-view fees and the "rental model" for movies.

Re:Turn on PBS instead of the Eisner Channel

[NixLuver]

Lots of good stuff without the marketing dollars behind Disney. I'm not a Disney fan, I assure you, and my child watches PBS and Nick Jr., not the Disney Channel. But we have quite a few of the old Disney movies - can't deprive her of Dumbo and Winne the Pooh :).

I would love to see PBS with the budget that Disney has. :)

Diznee == old and busted, PIXAR == NEW HOTNESS!

[Thud457]

You overlooked a crucial player -- Pixar. They just ended their distribution contract with Disney, who took an unfair share of the profits.

Look at their comparative output in the last ten years. PIXAR is the new Disney. (Well, at least in the animated feature arena. To be fair Disney has several other allied businesses that Pixar is not in. Yet.) And Disney, lacking any real vision or innovation, it resorting to anti-consumer DRM lockin. Just the kind of strategy you'd expect from a company that's lost it's edge.