Japanese Matsushita to test pirate-proof rental DVDs

As part of the trial, InterPia will give out free teaser DVDs
containing movie clips and other kinds of entertainment. To view the full
content, users will have to pay between 300 yen (£1.5) to 500 yen to
download the missing pieces from the Internet. The downloaded content will
be erased automatically after a given time, thanks to built-in
software.

This method of movie
distribution could curb illegal copying of the DVD, as the disc does not
contain the whole movie. At the same time, viewers are saved the hassle of
returning the disc to the rental store.

If the user wishes to watch the
movie another time in the future, the movie will have to be downloaded --
and paid for -- again.

The report said Japan Wave is
developing the technology to make the movies copy-proof while Matsushita
will devise a payment and revenue model for the project. The back-end
server networking requirements will be handled by Oki
Electric.