updated March 2, 2010

As of December 5, 2009, the AACS requires that you obtain an ISAN for each Blu-ray title that you plan to replicate. You must also provide a managed copy URL that points to an authentication server for future managed copy functionality.  This URL does not have to actually function as a managed copy authentication server at this time, but it is hard-coded into the disc so it must be ready to function as an authentication server or be re-directed to an authentication server in the future.

Obviously these requirements impact the professional Blu-ray workflow.  As with many aspects of Blu-ray, these requirements are still evolving.  This paper describes what you need to do now as well as what you can expect in the future.  Based on our discussions with AACS LA representatives, the “future” is probably around the end of 2010, at which time the Blu-ray players will actually support managed copy and the AACS LA will have finalized the requirements for the authentication servers.

What is Managed Copy?

Before we dive into what you need to do to prepare for managed copy, let’s review what exactly managed copy is.  Managed Copy allows studios and content holders to allow consumers to make copy/backup their of Blu-ray discs that they purchase based on the region the disc was purchased in.  The studio can choose to charge for the copy.  The copy can take the form of a backup to a home media server, or a copy that can be played on a mobile device such as an iPod.  The actual implementation of managed copy (ie. how the consumer will make the copy and what type of copy they will be able to make) is not yet clear.  It is also not clear which Blu-ray players will support Managed Copy since it is not mandatory for the player to support this managed copy.  What is clear is that it is a required feature of a replicated Blu-ray disc.

What this means for discs you author and replicate today:

If you are sending a Blu-ray disc for replication now, you need to do two things:

1. Include a Managed Copy URL in your disc (you specify this during the authoring process)
2. Purchase an ISAN code and insert that number into your disc (also during the authoring process).

NetBlender DoStudio, Sonic Scenarist and Sony Blu-print support these features.

Understanding the Managed Copy URL

The Managed copy URL is a location on a web server that will (in the future) be used to verify whether the Blu-ray disc can be copied and if has already been copied legally according to the managed copy requirements.  If the allowed copy has not yet been made, then the authentication server will allow the copy to be made.  If the copy has already been made, the authentication server will reject the copy request.

The AACS is in the process of finalizing the specs for a managed copy server.  The AACS will provide managed copy servers for a fee and they will also license the ability to create your own managed copy servers.

NetBlender offers a service to DoStudio customers called the NB Managed Copy Solution that provides a Managed Copy URL that is guaranteed to meet the replication requirements.  Contact sales (at) netblender (dot) com for information.

How to obtain an ISAN

Obtaining an ISAN is easy and relatively inexpensive.  A Blu-ray release requires both a Base ISAN and a Version ISAN (V-ISAN). A Base ISAN contains all core metadata for the title, while the Version ISAN contains metadata specific to the version.  NetBlender has contacted all of companies who are licensed to distribute ISAN and we provide the following list of the lowest cost options.

There are two major types of ISAN codes: Base and Version. Base ISAN codes are used for feature films, episodic TV series, and other original audiovisual works. Version ISAN codes are used for variations of the original content including clips, dubs in other languages, alternate formats, trailers, and more.

Just tell them you need an ISAN number for a Blu-ray title and they will provide you with the correct ISAN/V-ISAN.

You should expect to pay approximately $35 (U.S.) for an ISAN.

We found the lowest purchase price for an ISAN from Secure Path Technology (Los Angeles, CA area, http://www.secpath.com/).  Their price is $34 (U.S.).  ISAN codes purchased from Secure Path can be used by facilities anywhere in the world.

ISANs can also be obtained through these agencies:

ISAN UK (http://www.isan.org.uk/)
France-ISAN (http://www.france-isan.org/)
ISAN-Berne (http://www.isan-berne.org/)
ISAN Canada (http://www.isan.ca/)

The ISAN headquarters in Geneva can be found at http://www.isan.org.

What this means for discs you will author and replicate in the future (end of 2010):

By the end of 2010 you will be able to use DoStudio to specify if and how you want your Blu-ray disc to be copied.   DoStudio will implement the full Managed Copy Specification which allows you to specify how you want the title to be backed up for each of the three Blu-ray Regions (your managed copy settings can be different for each region).  You will also be able to control if the consumer can make a full HD (1920×1080) copy or limit it to a lower resolution.

As long as you comply with the managed copy URL and ISAN number requirement now, these features can be turned on when the full spec is made available by the AACS.

What is an ISAN?

ISAN (International Standard Audiovisual Number), or ISO:15706-1 & 15706-2 (the ISAN standard), is a voluntary numbering system and metadata schema enabling the identification of any kind of audiovisual works , such as films, shorts, documentaries, television programs, sports events, advertising, etc. as well as their related versions such as Blu-ray Disc.

ISAN provides a unique, internationally recognized and permanent reference number for each audiovisual content registered.

The following table summarizes the fees that must be paid, who normally pays each fee, to whom the fee must be paid and how frequently each fee must be paid.