Comments

IanG wrote on 11/13/2006, 10:25 AM
In a word, no! The big commercial companies haven't been able to do it, so we've got no chance! The advice usualy offered here is to put a copyright notice in your DVDs and (tactfully!) make sure people know that they're not allowed to copy them.

Ian G.
Chienworks wrote on 11/13/2006, 3:39 PM
Agreed. The only useful answer to this question is "no." The other answer is, "if you don't want them copied, don't produce them in the first place", which is more accurate, but hardly useful.

Make sure people want to get the discs from you in the first place. Make them want an original from you instead of a copy. Put your discs in a nice display case with a colorful, professional looking insert. Get an inkjet or thermal printer that prints on the discs and make them look good. Include a card inside the case that has the track list and program notes. Maybe include a few photos of the cast, musicians, participants, bride & groom, etc. These are all things people won't get when they make their own copies.

The single biggest issue you have to tackle though is price. If you charge $30/disc, you won't sell many. People will happily forgo the extras to save a few bucks by making their own ugly copy. Charge as low as you possibly can so that it's not worth their effort to copy. Make up the difference by charging more for recording the event.