Managed Copy: Over Before it Began

Reports claim that when the AACS content protection system gets finalized this summer - a full year after the self-imposed due date - Managed Copy is not expected to be a part of it. AACS is a mandatory protection system used on Blu-ray, and was initially supposed to include the ability to copy Blu-ray movies onto computers - a process that was named Managed Copy.

If reports end up being true, this functionality may never be a part of the Blu-ray spec.

Studios have taken matters into their own hand. Both Fox and Lionsgate have included digital copies of the film with some high profile Blu-ray releases, allowing those who purchase the release to also have a standard definition version for their PC or portable media player.

Sony is planning to introduce a similar function on their Blu-ray releases. When a specially defined Blu-ray release is placed in a PS3, it will be able to send a digital copy directly to a connected PSP.

While the Managed Copy functionality could be added by way of an amendment to the spec, it is unlikely to ever be implemented at this late in the game.