"Rental" Copy? Say what?

[BTM]

So, I got the film Scott Pilgrim vs The World a few weeks back from Netflix (a GREAT movie, BTW), and when I put the dvd in it had this notice on saying this was only a RENTAL copy of the movie, and that it did not have any of the bonus features, and in order to see those I had to buy a regular copy of the film somewhere.

Say what??

I clicked on Special Features and it had a whole list of them, but anything I tried to play I, once again, got the "This is a rental copy" thing.

Has anyone ever seen/heard about this before?

I mean, I've rented movies where Netflix would have two discs, one with the movie and the other labelled Bonus Features, and I've rented films where they'd just have the movie and a selection for languages but I figured it was one of those "Bare bones" edition of the films where they release that and then come up with an "ultra" edition or some such later.  But now I'm starting to wonder if maybe some of the previous films I've gotten were rental copies as well.  

For instance, when I got the new Nightmare on Elm Street (2009 version) I noticed it had "Netflix Copy" printed on the disc and, again, no bonus features.  Also noticed Kick Ass had no features on it, even though I remember seeing an ad for the DVD that promised an alternate ending and several extra scenes among other things.  Didn't think too much about it, just figured again, the cool extra stuff was on another disc.

Does anyone know the logic behind making discs without any extra features?  I mean, is this to cut back theft of rental DVDS or something?  And what do they do with these things when the store doesn't need them anymore?  I mean, if I bought a DVD, I want all the bells and whistles with it, not just the basic package.

[Criswell]

It appears Netflix is getting greedy. Blockbuster never had rental copies!

[Pilgermann]

I've gotten DVD's from the Red Box that are the same way (Curious Case of Benjamin Button), but it makes sense to me.  I'd imagine the thinking behind it is that if someone enjoys the film enough and wants to dig into featurettes and whatnot, then they'll probably end up buying a retail copy.

[Mofo Rising]

Basically, the studios think they are not making enough money selling DVD's. They blame this in part on the rise of Netflix and Redbox. I would imagine that they cut a deal with Netflix to ship stripped down DVD's as "rental copies."

Studio interference is also the reason you have to wait 28 days after a DVD release to rent it on Netflix.

[Jack]

Never heard of that before, can't say it surprises me though.  I suppose next they'll start putting commercials in the rental version, and if you want to watch it commercial-free you'll have to buy it.  Oh well, all the crap I watch is made by people who can't afford to release multiple versions of the DVD anyway.

[Rev. Powell]

I've gotten DVD's from the Red Box that are the same way (Curious Case of Benjamin Button), but it makes sense to me.  I'd imagine the thinking behind it is that if someone enjoys the film enough and wants to dig into featurettes and whatnot, then they'll probably end up buying a retail copy.

Yeah, I think it makes sense from the studio's perspective, and it's actually sort of clever.  I think it doesn't bother most people who never look at the special features, but might convince a few collectors to buy a copy rather than just settle for a rental viewing.  Gotta do something to get people to buy DVDs in an age of cheap rentals and free downloads.   

[Skull]

Somewhat true... but I believe it's less sinister then that...

I've been renting from netflix for almost 3 years and I have seen several saying "Copies" and so far I believe I had 15 (or more) broken DVD's thru the mail. So I believe it's better for Netflix to ship "copies" then originals since they can always reproduce a missing/broken DVD and it'll be much cheaper on the rentor.

[The Burgomaster]

When I was about 10 years old, I won a Bobby Vinton album from a radio "call in" show.  When it arrived, it had a stamp at the bottom of the cover that said, "Promotional use only.  Not for sale."  But I digress . . . 

[the ghoul]

Who cares!  I don't need no steenking special features!

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Somewhat true... but I believe it's less sinister then that...

I've been renting from netflix for almost 3 years and I have seen several saying "Copies" and so far I believe I had 15 (or more) broken DVD's thru the mail. So I believe it's better for Netflix to ship "copies" then originals since they can always reproduce a missing/broken DVD and it'll be much cheaper on the rentor.

Another possibility is that volume rentals of "copies" thru Red Box and Netflix (in lieu of actual original official copies) may be done to raise revenue to help the studios produce proper, working versions of the movie with the proper bonus material that people will eventually want.   

Also, it may be an extra help in keeping costs down, as well as the possibility that Red Box and Netflix get financial incentives from the studios for doing so as they help promote the movies thru their rentals.

[Jim H]

Somewhat true... but I believe it's less sinister then that...

I've been renting from netflix for almost 3 years and I have seen several saying "Copies" and so far I believe I had 15 (or more) broken DVD's thru the mail. So I believe it's better for Netflix to ship "copies" then originals since they can always reproduce a missing/broken DVD and it'll be much cheaper on the rentor.

They can't just produce more copies, they have to buy them.  But yes, if special "rental copies" are cheaper for Netflix, that's a good thing for everyone. 

On that note, there's probably nothing sinister in this - I doubt Netflix had control over this.  They'd probably prefer the versions with the features, as that makes them more enticing to renters.  Likely it's all the studios doing. 

[Trevor]

When I was about 10 years old, I won a Bobby Vinton album from a radio "call in" show.  When it arrived, it had a stamp at the bottom of the cover that said, "Promotional use only.  Not for sale."  But I digress . . . 

That happened to me when I won the Streets Of Fire soundtrack in the 1980s.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

When I was about 10 years old, I won a Bobby Vinton album from a radio "call in" show.  When it arrived, it had a stamp at the bottom of the cover that said, "Promotional use only.  Not for sale."  But I digress . . . 

That happened to me when I won the Streets Of Fire soundtrack in the 1980s.

I used to go to record shows when I was younger, and one time I found a promotional copy of Raven:MAD, by the British metal trio Raven, a personal favorite band of mine.  The album had the promotional disclaimer printed on the plastic sleeve.  And it was in perfect shape too.  I still have it among my LP collection.

[voltron]

When I was about 10 years old, I won a Bobby Vinton album from a radio "call in" show.  When it arrived, it had a stamp at the bottom of the cover that said, "Promotional use only.  Not for sale."  But I digress . . . 

That happened to me when I won the Streets Of Fire soundtrack in the 1980s.

I snagged a promo-only copy of 27's 'Holding On For Brighter Days' off eBay for like five bucks.

I used to go to record shows when I was younger, and one time I found a promotional copy of Raven:MAD, by the British metal trio Raven, a personal favorite band of mine.  The album had the promotional disclaimer printed on the plastic sleeve.  And it was in perfect shape too.  I still have it among my LP collection.