--- Forwarded Message from Scott Williams <[log in to unmask]> --- >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> >References: <[log in to unmask]> >Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 17:14:17 -0600 >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >From: Scott Williams <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: DVD restrictions Hi everybody, I would like to start a discussion about DVD zone restrictions and copyright infringment. Specifically, to what extent does the manner in which the film industry carves up the world into regions, incompatible with each other, constitute undo restriction of access? I DO NOT, however, want this to be a whine fest. Rather, as we approach the next IALLT meeting within the context of FLEAT, I thought this might be an interesting topic to discuss. When Susan Kornfield spoke at the last IALLT in Michigan, it was fascinating to learn how Anglo-Saxon copyright laws were intended more to insure public access to information and art rather than merely protect ownership (which it, of course, also does). In the case of video tapes, there are real quality issues regarding NTSC, PAL, BETA, etc. However, for DVDs it is in no way an objective quality issue, but rather only a tool for controlling the market. Therefore, any film made and sold in, say, Germany that is not also marketed in this country presents undo problems. The consumer is forced to buy a 'special' device to view it. And the industry would like to restrict sales of these devices, too. Even a foreign film that is marketed in the US does not necessarily offer the same features as the same film marketed in other zones. For instance, the subtitled language offerings can change depending on the zone. Is it a reasonable measure by the industry to control distribution and marketing? Or, in this global economy, does it represent illegal collusion infringing on reasonable public access to all works of art? If we, as a group, feel the industry is within its rights, then we must reconcile ourselves to the possibility that we may someday not even be able to buy devices that play all zones. If we, as a group, feel that the industry is overstepping its bounds, then we must consider positive means through which we can help in effecting change. So, what do you think? Scott *********************************************** LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for Language Learning, and The Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning (http://consortium.dartmouth.edu). Join IALLT at http://iallt.org. Otmar Foelsche, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask]) ***********************************************