As if Apple's policy of selling copies of digital music for .99c per copy were not bad enough, now when you buy a computer you can get one pre-loaded with Hollywood blockbuster movies. Dell signed a deal with Paramount today to offer PC's with copies of Iron Man for an additional $20. The idea of selling digital files of any sort with or without digital copyright protection(DRM) is fundamentally flawed. It seems that traditional production companies simply cannot get their balance correct. Putting digital copies of movies on computers off the shelf, sends the wrong message, somehow movies are on your computer for free. There could not be a more subversive message to the interests of movie investors.

On one hand, Industry production companies condemn the act of consumers making digital backups of the media that they buy, which they are legally entitled to do. On the other hand, they are the first in line to sell those files, on disk or in iTunes' case by download. Neither of these policy's is the correct, balanced approach. The fundamental flaw in selling DVDs is that a customer is given a disk that they paid for, then told that they don't own the content on the disk. It's simply counter-intuitive for consumers.  The same logic applies to digitally distributed files. The consumer pays for an object, a file that they then believe they own in perpetuity.

We believe consumers are inherently law abiding and that given the choice, they will choose lawful means of media access, so long as it is provided easily and affordability.  The Stardust Channel's policy is that customers pay for access to media.  They pay per performance, playback or duration of their access, not for an object. It's inherently clear that when you see a play, that your ticket is for that performance only. You can get season tickets but you do not get to take the performance with you when you leave, without an object, you've got an experience.  The Stardust Channel aims to bring your content to you, where ever you are and at any time you require, to share or experience for yourself. The access is yours, by cell, TV, computer or XM Radio.

 

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