“Macrovision” copy protection technology has been incorporated in DirecTV’s receivers as a measure to stop unauthorized video recordings. Many a times, DirecTV subscribers are in a dilemma whether to use the “Save to VCR function” of DVR is akin to being a “pirate”. This cannot be called a piracy. However, unauthorized recording of content and distribution is illegal. To prevent this, DirecTV uses Macrovision copy protection technology.
DirecTV satellite service delivers entertainment channels throughout the United States. Such extensive broadcasts are not results of DirecTV’s solo efforts. The diversified entertainment channels reach subscribers’ home via collaborative works of satellite TV providers, content providers, copyright holders, TV networks and many more.
TV entertainment programming is the outcome of joint venture of different business groups such as content providers, TV networks, electronic equipment manufacturers and others. As a result, satellite TV providers like DirecTV bear business responsibilities to these groups. Satellite TV providers should oblige terms and conditions of their business relations with content providers, TV networks etc. Unauthorized recording and illegal distribution of TV content are reported in many places round the globe. In order to prevent such illegal recording of TV content, Copy protection technology is put into force. Copy protection technology prevents reproduction of software, movies, music and other media. Copy protected content cannot be recorded into DVRs or VCRs and other recording media. Also, certain DVRs sustain recordings for a certain period of time only.
All DirecTV receivers are equipped with Macrovision copy protection technology. Macrovision provides a multitude of technologies for electronics devices particularly those with recording capabilities. Such devices can stop recording of video done via analog interface of electronic devices. Macrovision’s home entertainment technologies are incorporated into majority of DVD players, digital cable/satellite set-top boxes, personal computers, Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) such as TiVo, and Portable Media Players (PMPs) such as the iPod. A DVR equipped with Macrovision copy protection technology will pause recording of copy-protected content.
DirecTV satellite service has their receivers equipped with Macrovision copy protection technology. DirecTV has incorporated such technology to comply with content owners’ concerns about potential unauthorized recording and subsequent distribution. If DirecTV is not able to comply with such restrictions then they would be denied access to the content of content providers. It should however be noted that DirecTV do not intend to use the Macrovision copy protection technology to control subscribers viewing. DirecTV would activate the Macrovision technology when content owners request to activate for their specific programs.
DirecTV or the Macrovision technology does not decide on limiting recording of TV content. The owner of the copy-protected content makes the decision whether their content should be protected from unauthorized copying. If content owners choose to have their content copy protected, there are laws and regulations that apply. The laws and regulations regarding the copying of copy-protected content are written by governmental entities and not by Macrovision. In the United States, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibits the evasion of technological measures taken to prevent unauthorized copying. Other laws, regulations and directives also apply in the U.S. and elsewhere. Macrovision is only involved in providing technologies to the content owners to protect against unauthorized copies. And Satellite TV providers such as DirecTV have certain business responsibilities towards the content owners and therefore have provided subscribers Macrovision compatible receivers that can check recording of copy-protected content.
The Macrovision technology or other such technologies check unauthorized recordings and distribution of contents which is also known as “piracy”. Such anti-piracy technologies are included in DirecTV or other TV services for paying their concerns towards the safety of content of content owners.