So far, services such as CinemaNow and MovieLink, which sell Hollywood films as online downloads, have been struggling -- and so have their customers. Unfortunately, their customers could watch their downloaded movies only on a computer, not a TV. This was because the downloads were prepared with Content Scramble System (CSS) technology that prevents easy copying onto a DVD or other medium.

Realizing that online sales could become a huge part of Hollywood's future revenue if movie studios could become more flexible about copy protection, the DVD Copy Control Association has proposed rule changes that would allow customers to copy their downloaded movies onto specially made DVDs. See DCCA's pdf press release, Aug. 3. More details at CNET.

via CinemaNow.com One of several downloadable movies you can now copy to DVD via CinemaNow.

Last month, CinemaNow launched a pilot Burn to DVD program. It appears to utilize something resembling the revised CSS technology, even though the program debuted before the DCCA's official announcement.

If your news organization produces TV programs, documentaries, or special video features, keep an eye on this issue. It may broaden your potential market.

(Thanks to Tom Vilot for the tip.)