I'm wondering if anyone has any info on DVD screeners that are marked as having a digital watermark that can be traced. I have a few, and don't know if this is scare tactics, or if there really is some encoding on the DVD that traces the DVD to me (or more appropriately, the person I got them from). Can i check the DVD in some way to find out if something is there? If so is there a workaround for this? a way to remove it?
It is possible for a DVD Screener to have that kind of software inside it (Such software actually exist), but take in consideration what it needs to work, somewhat useless but I guess it's better than nothing. I can't assure you how many of the actual DVD screeners have this type of security (If they ever use it), but in my opinion, this tactic is more suitable to track the "Distribuitor" rather than the thousands of people who get a copy from it.
Besides, I'm quite sure most of the scene groups (If not all) will get rid of these things before releasing it, knowing how they work it's almost obvious that it will happen.
they put the digital watermark on the disc for each academy member that receives that disc and only that disc has that watermark so they can trace back who leak it or gave away to somebody that gets caught with it. here is a link with more info about this
Screener - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
the dvds i am asking for are not things i have snatched from the torrent world, rather physical DVDs, so in this case i would be the distributor.
and torrentbeast, thanks for the link! anyone know anything about how to get rid of one on a DVD?
Originally Posted by shoeshine
not 100% on this but this is one i found mate ripping watermarked screeners. also are you getting them from a source or a friend of some kind
thanks. i'll check this out. seems useful. and its a mix, some are things i have, others are things people gave me. But in either case its all kind of small time movies, not hollywood/studio stuff but mostly independent/arthouse kind of fare. the small scale of it is what made me think the traceable claim on the DVD was bluffing.
I'll be honest buddy, I wouldn't risk being the distributor if I were you. Not only do they do watermarks you can see, but sometimes they encrypt them to where you only notice them with the right equipment. Not only that, but they are finding even sneakier ways around the whole "watermark" thing by sending out DVDs that have certain scenes missing, certain actors not mentioned in the credits, audio sounding different, and more stuff like that. Even if you got rid of the watermark there is still not a 100% guarantee they would not be able to trace it back to you or whoever gave it to you. Like I said, I would avoid distributing them at all costs. The organizations like RIAA and MPAA are relentless, especially the MPAA.
If the dvd is not obviously watermarked (no visible logos, codes, etc..) then if you rip the dvd, and re-encode, it should get rid of any hidden watermarks, unless they use the tactics of 'missing scenes' or altering the credits etc. such as what Bane mentioned.
If ur worried the screeners will be traced back to you, just file a report at lost and found at a police station, bus / taxi company. leave out a lot of details, just say u dont remember, mention the dvd titles and keep the report safely, then after a week upload it using an ip thats not traceable directly to you.
and dont forget to destry or safely hide the original discs.
Last edited by Sigma9; 07-18-2010 at 11:28 PM.
Don't destroy it asap, keep a real backup of it first because it's a rare copy. And imo, MPAA doesn't chase for small budget movie because those studio don't care/have enough money to pay the service of MPAA.
About the risk to have it, sometimes it's challenging to have the real source but still never use copyright protected (DRM) equipment to replay it and cut off your internet if you'll use it with your PC. And when you want to upload it, use "anonymous" in private tracker of your chosen.
Some suggestion, if you want to live in harmony, try to avoid screener from hollywood movie and become a releaser.
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