And then there's this news that kind of ties all the aforementioned together: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398480,00.asp
An organized front against (primarily) Netflix (but also Redbox, etc.), may screw libraries in the process, that is, if an exemption isn't made - but, if money is money, and the movie ecosystem must fight to find a way to feed itself (so as to produce), libraries might be seen as a necessary casualty > a speck of a fleck on a larger animal they hope to restrain. Interesting (socio-culturally, etc.) that studios are taking a very aggresive stance now with "technology" (embodied in this case by Netflix, streaming, and different access and release methods, etc.), and are attempting to shape or direct its course rather than sitting back and reacting to it. Showing them who's boss. Or attempting to at least. I wonder it they will cut it even further to the root and reactionarily devolve somewhat in the process by not releasing some films (such as the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises - which Cristopher Nolan has spoken of as designed to be an optimal Theatrical experience and a reminder of what makes the movie-going experience so unique) on DVD until later than usual. That would be, admittedly, reactionary and perhaps seen as more a punishment to fans than providers such as Netflix, but it might not be so farfetched to seem them try to truly take more control of their product, and at the points where they have a more firm hold. ben malczewski Adult Reference Librarian Ypsilanti District Library Ann Arbor, MI 48105 bmal...@aol.com -----Original Message----- From: Brown, Roger <rbr...@oid.ucla.edu> To: videolib <videolib@lists.berkeley.edu> Sent: Tue, Jan 10, 2012 12:53 pm Subject: Re: [Videolib] Studios with embargos Fox and Universal also started this with Redbox and Netflix in April, and I believe it's still in force. "New releases" aren't available for 28 days for rent. http://gigaom.com/video/redbox-agrees-to-28-day-windows-for-fox-universal-titles/ If Warners manages to get the rental players (Netflix, Redbox, Dish/Blockbuster) to increase it to 58 days as reported (http://consumerist.com/2012/01/report-warner-bros-will-stretch-new-release-rental-window-from-28-to-56-days.html) others may fall in line. I can't imagine restricting the ability to rent films for 2 months will increase sales of DVDs as much as force customers to get other content or pirate what they want day-and-date rather than wait. We'll see. Roger Brown Manager UCLA Instructional Media Collections & Services 46 Powell Library Los Angeles, CA 90095-1517 office: 310-206-1248 fax: 310-206-5392 rbr...@oid.ucla.edu From: "Jaeschke, Myles" <mjae...@tulsalibrary.org> Reply-To: "videolib@lists.berkeley.edu" <videolib@lists.berkeley.edu> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:22:29 -0800 To: "'videolib@lists.berkeley.edu'" <videolib@lists.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: [Videolib] Studios with embargos The only one that is currently using this practice is Warner Bros. Fox attempted it a few years back and then abandoned it. Myles From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Ball, James (jmb4aw) Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 2:20 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: [Videolib] Studios with embargos Hi All, I’m sure I have this somewhere but I can’t seem to dig it up. Does someone have a list of the studios that have a 30-day embargo (or longer) on video sales to rental operations and libraries? I want to say it’s Warner and Sony. Cheers, Matt ______________________________ Matt Ball Media Services Librarian University of Virginia mattb...@virginia.edu 434-924-3812 VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues elating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, reservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and elated institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective orking tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between ibraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
