HBO/Cinemax Cut Off Recording of On-Demand Programs

Control Group writes "Arstechnica has an article up explaining that HBO and Cinemax are poised to prevent recording of on-demand programming, even via analog outputs, on 'compliant digital recording devices' (specifically, digital recorders meeting the Content Generation Management System for Analog, or CGMS-A, specification). HBO claims that since you can get the programming on demand, you don't need to time shift, so don't need to make even one personal copy. And, since the FCC has so far decided not to regulate subscription video-on-demand (SVOD), this is legal: while normal, linear cable comes with the right to time-shift, SVOD does not. Of course, there's nothing preventing a sufficiently determined person from using a non-CGMS-A-compliant device, so odds seem good that this will only inconvenience otherwise-legitimate customers."

Comments

That's it....no more Colgate.

[Sean Johnson]

I am going to boycott Colgate until they pull thier heads outta thier arses and realize people want to copy tubes of toothpaste for moroe than one use. This brushing on demand one-use policy is rediculous. I am switching to baking soda until they realize they can't do this. C'mon slashdotters, ARE YA WITH ME? Together we can take down the virtual monopoly Colgate has on the personal hygiene market.
You are either with me or against me. If you harbor Colgate in your homes, you are as guilty as Colgate themselves. .....Wait....I think my rant was supposed to be against HBO for this week. oh well...Colgate still sucks!