20th Century Fox and Apple have introduced iTunes Digital Copy. Customers who purchase an eligible DVD receive an additional iTunes-compatible digital copy of the feature film. Like films purchased from the iTunes Store, the copy can be transferred into iTunes and viewed on a PC or Mac, video-capable iPod, iPhone or Apple TV. The first DVD to include iTunes Digital Copy is the DVD premiere of the Family Guy Star Wars parody “Blue Harvest”, released today. Fox and Apple plan to release many more DVDs with iTunes Digital Copy during the year.
“One of the most requested functions missing for DVD buyers has been the ability to transfer purchased feature films into their iTunes library,” says Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment. “We are delighted to offer our customers such an incredibly simple way to get more value from their DVD purchase. We look forward to releasing many more DVDs with iTunes Digital Copy this year.”
“Film fans can now easily transfer a complimentary copy of the feature film they purchased on DVD into iTunes,” says Apple CEO Steve Jobs. “DVDs that include an iTunes Digital Copy allow film fans to watch a copy of their feature film on a computer, iPod, iPhone or Apple TV.”
To transfer the copy, the customer inserts the purchased DVD into a computer and enters a dedicated code in iTunes. The application then creates a copy of the feature film in the user’s iTunes library. The digital copy is included with the DVD and supports the viewing options available for existing iTunes Store video content. Each DVD’s iTunes Digital Copy can be transferred into only one iTunes library.
Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes films worldwide through Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Atomic and Twentieth Century Fox Animation. The group also includes Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, which handles worldwide marketing, sales and distribution for Fox films and television programmes on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray Disc, as well as acquisitions and in-house productions.
