Academy to use encrypted DVDs

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is planning to offer its 6,000 voters a chance to view many of this year’s Oscar-eligible films on a custom DVD player that has been programmed to play encrypted screeners -- a move intended to limit the pirating of Oscar screeners.

Academy President Frank Pierson has sent a letter to his members saying that the DVD players will be provided free of charge by a company called Cinea, which will underwrite the costs and connect the devices.

Pierson warned that not every studio or distributor, however, will choose to use the encryption technology on their screeners. He said some companies may, instead, decide to send DVD or VHS screeners with other kinds of tracking technology, or they may choose to go with no security whatsoever.

Piracy fears last year prompted the academy to ask its members to sign a pledge promising to safeguard the screeners. No such pledge will be required this year.