Movielink to allow burning to DVD

DamnedIfIknow used our news submit to tell us about the latest developments in movie downloading realm.  Movielink has been offering legal movie downloads as rentals or purchases with the same drawbacks as every other download site: the DRM requires the films to be watched on your computer.  Sonic Solutions has developed a system by which movies can now be transferred complete with DRM to DVD for use in home theaters or even travel.  DamnedIfIknow had this to say: "Yeah! About time!"

Movielink, which distributes movies over the Internet, is close to fixing one of the main drawbacks to downloading films over the Web. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Movielink has purchased technology from software company Sonic Solutions that makes it possible for customers to transfer the movies they download onto DVDs, according to a Sonic Solutions" spokesman. In the past, top Hollywood studios--fearful of illegal copies being made by pirates--demanded that movies be protected by strict digital rights management software (DRM), which prevents movies from being copied to DVD. The problem with such a strategy was that many customers resented being forced to watch them on their PCs, analysts say. Now, Sonic Solutions is providing DVD-burning software that comes equipped with DRM protection, which would prevent the making of numerous copies, according to a statement from Sonic Solutions.

While it's still unclear on just when this will be released it seems to be the next logical step in legal download portability.  One of the major complaints from those that download movies legally is that they are penalized by having to watch the movie on their computer while their illegally downloading counterparts have full control over the films they download.  There will obviosuly still be DRM so there will still be limitations, but it's a sign that the companies are hearing some of the major consumer complaints about this emerging industry.  The full story can be read here.  Thanks to DamnedIfIknow for the news!

Source: C|net