jsl used our newssubmit to tell us about an article on CNET. The legal music download services are finally getting a bit mature. Next should be the movie studios, but there seem to be a lot of problems.
Of course there are the legal issues, with the studios who don't want to give too much. Also there are technical difficulties. But the most important obstacle seems to be the low demand. Guess this isn't the case with illegal movies It's a pretty long article, but very interesting.
The major Hollywood movie studios are finally getting serious about delivering movies over the Internet, but their performances still could end up on the cutting-room floor. |
Movielink--a joint venture among MGM, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal and Warner Bros.--last week announced technology partnerships with Microsoft and RealNetworks to help power its movie-rental service on the Net, set to launch by December. The deals represent crucial final edits to a venture long overdue, and they lend credence to promises that the movie studios will open film vaults to widespread Internet distribution.
By offering a legal service, Movielink could also thwart online piracy of movies and help Hollywood evade "Napsterization"--that is, tumult like that which file-swapping site Napster let loose in the music business.
But despite Movielink's access to premium Hollywood content, industry executives and analysts say the imminent service will face the same challenges that darkened similar sites: limited demand, technology limitations and legal questions.
Source: CNET
