Disney came up with a new policy that delays DVD rentals for 28 days after the DVD goes on sale. Disney believes that by doing this, they can make more money by forcing consumers to buy the DVDs if they really want to watch it. Netflix and Redbox join together in an effort to defy Disney's new policy. They found a loophole around the policy and chose to buy the DVDs from other retailers. The "first sale" legal doctrine does not allow studios to prohibit companies from renting DVDs that they legally purchased. However, by buying the DVDs, both Netflix and Redbox won't be making as much money as they normally would.
I chose this article because I personally rent my DVDs from Redbox. I am also a huge Disney fan and I make every effort to watch new Disney movies. It's important to know about this information if you're like me. Most people like to rent their movies instead of buying them, unless it's really a movie that they would like to own. If someone really wants to watch a movie, they would want to be able to rent it as soon as the DVD goes on sale. Disney's new policy would force Disney movie lovers to wait it out, unless they want to buy a $29.99 DVD.
As a student, this information does not really affect me. However, as a future filmmaker, I could make use of this policy. Disney's policy makes sense, actually. When I make my first movie, I would like to make a lot of money out of it. By exclusively selling the DVDs, I'd be getting the profit that DVD rentals would instead be receiving. On the other hand, as a consumer, I hate this policy. I don't want to have to wait 28 days to watch I movie I want to see. That is way too long of a wait! I've already waited a long time for the DVD to come out and now, I'd have to wait another 28 days. I most especially do not want to have to pay for the movie. I'm most likely going to watch that movie once and never watch it again for a long time.
I would hate for all studios to start adopting this policy. According to the article, 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. also have a policy similar to Disney's. The next thing you know, the film industry might make this policy become a new nationwide law. That's the last thing I want to happen. Also, if Redbox starts to buy their DVDs from other retailers, I'm almost definitely sure that their rental fee is going to increase. After all, they still need to make a profit. The same goes for Netflix. I do not want rental fees to start to become unreasonable. Redbox usually rents out its DVDs for $1 to $1.50. I'd like for it to stay that way.
Whats wrong with Disney?! Don't they already make enough money? If Redbox and Netflix increase their fees, not only will Disney and those rental places increase their profit, but it would also in crease the profit of pirated movie sales.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your viewpoint as a consumer; I also use Redbox regularly which is very convenient because it is quite easy to manage as well as cheap. Yet, I can also understand Disney's side of the story, because as you mentioned, they work hard on all their movies and so they take pride in them, so it is only fair that they earn the right to reap the benefits of such hard work which is through money. But, since I am not a filmmaker yet, this piece of information will impact me more as a consumer because I would suffer the consequences of having to pay Redbox more if they do indeed raise their prices in order to gain some profit after being forced to buy original copies from retailers.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you ! I myself am a Disney fan and rent movies both from Redbox and Netflix because I'd rather pay $1.50 then the $30.00 to actually own the film on DVD. It's incredible that Disney is coming up with these ridiculous policies.
ReplyDeleteI had to read the article to make sure I understood your blog. Disney, is not, prohibiting rentals 28 after a DVD is release. Disney is DELAYING rentals until 28 days after release of the DVD on sale. Yes, this is not good for the consumer but why not wait 28 days? What is the harm to the consumer? People who want to purchase the DVD will do so, but I'm not going to freak out for a month just because I have to wait to see a film.
ReplyDeletewith this economy i cant afford buy every Movie even if i really NEED to see it. Thank god for loop holes i'll be still getting my movies on the day of release at red box.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Jachelle. I and my family aren't rich and have money to waste on DVDS how Disney probably expects. We get movies at redbox because they are recent and affordable, I don't want to spend $30.00 on a movie I'm only going to watch once or twice a year. I have Finding Nemo at home and I hardly even watch it. I watch it more when it comes out on Disney Channel then with my DVD. I totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I am also a Disney fan, and rent movies from redbox not only because its $1.50, but because its easy to rent and not out of the way. Its crazy how Disney is coming up with these different policies!
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