Why am I no longer able to make multiple copies of HBO and Cinemax programs, and no copies at all of HBO-On-Demand or Cinemax-On-Demand content?
HBO uses a copyright protection mechanism that helps to enforce existing copyright laws. The technology is known as the “Copy Generation Management System for Analog” or CGMS-A. You are still able to make one copy (analog or digital) of a program that airs on either HBO or Cinemax, but you are not able to then further duplicate that copy. However, cable subscribers are not able to record HBO-On-Demand (HOD) or Cinemax-On-Demand (MaxOD) programs. Since HOD and MaxOD already provide the viewing conveniences afforded by having a personal copy of a program (i.e., the ability to watch what you want whenever you want to watch it), HOD and MaxOD subscribers do not need to copy HOD and MaxOD content. (This does not affect DBS satellite subscribers, since HOD and MaxOD are not currently offered on those platforms.
Related Questions
- Why can cable subscribers copy a program from HBO or Cinemax (and all the multiplex channels), but are not permitted to copy programs from HOD or MaxOD?
- Why am I no longer able to make multiple copies of HBO and Cinemax programs, and no copies at all of HBO-On-Demand or Cinemax-On-Demand content?
- Can I record programs from premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, and Starz on my DVR?
