DIVX is dead

Breakdown was the first to send the word that DIVX is dead. Hooray! Now, I think I might finally be able to get off of their mailing list. And, if you purchased a system before June 16, 1999, you get a 100$ rebate. Update: 06/16 01:09 by CT : They cite lack of interest from studios and other retailers. They also say that most Circuit City consumers bought DivX (they gave away 5 free titles and the cost difference was almost negligible so I found that amusing). All I can say is R.I.P. DivX.

Comments

Geeks To Consumers: We Were Right After All

[Effugas]

An ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure, eh? Check out the press release:

All Divx discs, including those previously purchased by
consumers and those remaining in retailer inventories, can be viewed on
registered players anytime between now and June 30, 2001.

The significance of this cannot be overlooked. This is empirical proof that any system that places consumer property under the access control of a remote body can, will, and just did repossess control of those goods, despite the (promised!) expectations of the customer.

Told you so.

The Geek Community was quite clear on this: DiVX gives corporations excessive control over the viewing habits of customers, and was generally an awful idea. Truly, we have the media outlets and electronic stores--corporations in their own right--to thank for realizing the inevitable result of any technically dependant system such as DiVX and protecting as many consumers as possible from what the Geeks always recognized as Bad Mojo.

What can we learn from this? SDMI--the MP3 competitor--is flat out doomed to fail if it attempts any sort of protection dependant on contacting anyone anywhere for permission to play a song.

After decades of ripping off artists, lets hope they don't move onto ripping off consumers. (Again. Spoiler Signal What?)

Yours Truly,

Dan Kaminsky
DoxPara Research
effugas@best.com



Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend.