Japan To Charge Copyright Fees On Blu-ray Recorders & Discs
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:59 pmAnyone know how much these fees are? Are talking a huge price hike or just a few Yen?
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asa ... 70201.html
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asa ... 70201.html
The education and industry ministries agreed Monday to impose copyright charges on sales of next-generation Blu-ray DVD recorders and discs, but the debate over digital recording devices using hard disks remains unresolved.
A formal announcement on the Blu-ray products was expected Tuesday.
Manufacturers and copyright holders have engaged in a fierce debate on compensatory charges and the allowable frequency of copying digital TV broadcasts.
To compensate copyright holders, charges are currently imposed on the sales of certain digital recording devices, including DVD recorders and discs as well as mini-disc recorders and discs.
Blu-ray products, which recently won the format war over HDD-DVD, have not been hit by such royalty fees.
The charges are a percentage of the price of the products. Manufacturers shoulder the royalty fees or pass them on to consumers.