Technology that makes DVDs self-destruct in a few hours or days has already been developed, raising the prospect of a world without late fees.
In one recent promotion, Atlantic Records made a limited run of DVDs containing footage of the hip-hop group Nappy Roots that was viewable only for a few hours before the disc “expired.”
MGM Studios used self-destructing DVDs with music videos and trailers to promote the new James Bond movie, “Die Another Day.” Movie critics were told the DVD would self-destruct in 36 hours — a nod to 007′s gadget-providing character Q.
And self-expiring discs also showed up at MTV’s recent Latin American awards show in Miami.
While self-destructing DVDs would give content providers more control over distribution, it still wouldn’t prevent illegal copying.
“It only takes a half an hour to rip a DVD,”
