Sony DADC is introducing into the European market its Digital Copy solution which enables one-click digital file transfer to other devices such as laptop computers, games consoles and portable media devices.

Digital Copy integrates a Postscribed ID technology (PID), which is applied to each disc during the manufacture process. The PID is automatically read by the player and does away with the need for cumbersome serial codes. Digital Copy with PID is applicable to a range of disc formats, including DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

The instructions stored within the PID are defined by the publisher: the end-user is free to make as many copies of the content as the publisher prescribes. So, at the click of a mouse, the consumer can copy the movie over to a laptop hard drive or many other media storage devices.

“The traditional form of Digital Copy does still have its Achilles heel,” says the company. “It requires the user to input a cumbersome 16-25 character alphanumeric key before the file transfer will happen. Furthermore, there are significant marketing opportunities presented by this approach to DRM such as email marketing and cross promotions, which have not been exploited by traditional forms of Digital Copy.”

Digital Copy with PID comes with eBridge Analytics, a Sony DADC online platform that shows detailed statistics about the usage of Digital Copy. This means that once the consumer has opted into this system, each disc can be identified and the user’s media usage can be tracked and interpreted accurately via an internet connection.

In a short time, the publisher can construct a sophisticated profile of the consumer base, understanding like never before how they interact with their movies and what their preferences are within a diverse media driven world.

Revolver Entertainment is the first UK distributor to provide digital files on its DVD releases, City Rats, protected with Digital Copy.

Story filed 15.06.09