Digital movie copy restrictions

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casewindow

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Topic # 85299 16-Jun-2011 19:59

I have a couple of Family Guy star wars parody movies that I got from Amazon UK.
I can transfer the digital copy to Windows Media Player using the unique serial code.

If I try to do the same in iTunes I get told that the code is only valid in the UK/Ireland stores.

I can't think of a way around this in order to get the movie onto my iPhone?

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Reply # 481989 16-Jun-2011 20:01

May I refer you to our forum usage guidelines?

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=1046

* the post contains references or instructions that allows sharing mechanisms that circumvent revenue streams of service providers;

gzt

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Reply # 481990 16-Jun-2011 20:04

Not tried it, but I guess one option is getting an iTunes UK gift card so you can create a login for the iTunes UK store. Works if you can spend the credit on something useful.

jonherries

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Reply # 481991 16-Jun-2011 20:06

This is likely because your iTunes account is a NZ one. If you have a UK credit card you can get a UK iTunes account, same as US.

You can also sign up for a US/UK iTunes account without a credit card on an iPod/iPad/iPhone, buy a free app and sign up for an account with an address in the US or UK.

Oh I don't know this personally, just heard about it from somewhere on the tubes.

gzt

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Reply # 482011 16-Jun-2011 20:27

In light of rscole86's moderator comment:

I doubt the OP is looking to remove copy protection (a quick google could give many methods for that), the OP is wanting to find out if it is possible to achieve this functionality without removing copy protection/DRM.

From memory, there have been discussions on geekzone before about the legality of using an overseas iTunes account when downloading content in NZ.

I have not been able to locate these discussions, but I think the outcome was that it is a violation of Apple's 'Terms of Service' which you agree to when you access the store.

So, perhaps the answer is to comply with the terms of service you will need to access the UK store next time you are in the UK (or maybe from an address in the UK), rather than accessing it from NZ.

Maybe someone can clarify that.

freitasm

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Reply # 482013 16-Jun-2011 20:36

It's a grey area... One may be breaking Apple's ToS, but certainly I don't think one is breaking any law.

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casewindow

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Reply # 482020 16-Jun-2011 20:46

Yeah I'm not trying to pirate anything or break any laws (that I can see).
I purchase all my music, all my movies and all my software legitimately.

In this circumstance Amazon UK are happy to sell me the DVD which happens to contain a digital copy. Amazon UK even offer free delivery to NZ at the moment so it's rather a good deal.

I can redeem the digital copy to Windows Media Player but not iTunes due to my account being a NZ one.

It isn't really that big of a deal and I don't want to do anything that could stuff up my main NZ iTunes account.

Behodar

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Reply # 482173 17-Jun-2011 11:44

Sign out of your NZ account, then go to the iTunes Store home and switch the country to UK (it's at the bottom of the page). Then try to redeem the code and it it'll ask you to sign on or create an account. Choose to create a new account. Since you're doing a redemption it shouldn't ask for any payment details.

It's been over a year since I did that so I don't know whether it still works, but it should do so long as you create the UK account while attempting to redeem the code (don't try making a standalone account beforehand because it'll ask for a UK credit card).

As mentioned above, it's a grey area. Delete my post if it's crossing the line :)

jjnz1

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Reply # 482195 17-Jun-2011 12:59

Yes, that may work, but what happens when he wants to sync his UK iTunes with his iphone?

Won't it first delete the sync between his NZ iTunes and iPhone?

In this particular instance, it proves that we are still in a time where piracy is committed not because of lack of money, but because there is simply no other viable method.

Maybe, download the content (by any means) then send a cheque to the studio for the content. Maybe get the newspapers in on it too. ;)

(don't steal.)

Behodar

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Reply # 482196 17-Jun-2011 13:03

jjnz1: Won't it first delete the sync between his NZ iTunes and iPhone?

No. You can have multiple accounts attached to a single library.

jjnz1

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Reply # 482204 17-Jun-2011 13:11

Behodar:
jjnz1: Won't it first delete the sync between his NZ iTunes and iPhone?

No. You can have multiple accounts attached to a single library.

Oh ok, but you can only have one library/itunes computer right?

Behodar

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Reply # 482205 17-Jun-2011 13:13

There's no UI inside iTunes itself for multiple libraries but you can switch between them by holding Option as you start iTunes (probably Alt on Windows).

timbosan

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Reply # 482221 17-Jun-2011 14:21

Behodar: There's no UI inside iTunes itself for multiple libraries but you can switch between them by holding Option as you start iTunes (probably Alt on Windows).

That would be SHIFT when starting iTunes - I have multiple libraries and use this often.

gzt

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Reply # 482229 17-Jun-2011 14:49

Behodar:
jjnz1: Won't it first delete the sync between his NZ iTunes and iPhone?

No. You can have multiple accounts attached to a single library.

I can confirm this is correct, no problem.

From memory, I have had to switch accounts occasionally when getting updates for applications purchased with account x when I am logged in with account y Other than that, no issues.

Can anyone explain (with quotes from TOS) how having two (or more) accounts in different countries with the same library (or multiple libraries) is a problem for Apple's terms and conditions?

casewindow

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Reply # 482343 17-Jun-2011 19:51

We have two accounts as well - my wifes account and my account and we use Home Sharing to share them. Apps purchased on either account require the use of the right ID when updating (bit of a PITA).

I have had a think about how I would redeem my movies and the best way I can think of (which I am not going to do) is to setup iTunes on another machine fresh, then follow the procedure discussed earlier in this thread where you can sign up for an account in another country by downloading a free app from that store & you don't have to provide a credit card. Then I would home share that library.

But I am not going to do it as I am sure buried somewhere deep in the terms & conditions will be something prohibiting this and they might close our main accounts (which just isn't worth it for a couple of digital copies of movies for which I have the DVDs anyway).

As a last ditch attempt I went to the Fox Digital Copy Serial Support site and basically submitted a support request explaining the situation and whether or not I could somehow exchange my serial numbers for NZ ones.

Personally I suspect the most that will happen is the DRM department will print it out my request and stick it on a wall to laugh at over Friday drinks.

kyhwana2

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Reply # 482374 17-Jun-2011 21:33

Sadly this is why it's still easier just to illegally download stuff. None of that pesky DRM.

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