If I export a master file from FCP X or if I use Compressor to create a file for iPhone and iPad, can any of those files be copy protected?
Is there such an option similar to what can be done when authoring a DVD or Blu-ray disc?
Not from within any of your Apple applications, no. There may be third party apps but, frankly, I doubt it.
You can watermark it easily enough. There are overlay functions for that in many apps or you can do it in the timeline in FCPX. You can also hide a watermark in the pixel matrix using a third party app but that won't stop it from being copied, only identify ir as yours.
How important is this to you? the cost will probably far surpass any benefits. If a file can be moved, it can be copied. If it can be downloaded, it can be saved or copied, even it's jus a screen capture of the raw pixels on a display.
Thanks for the info.
I am surprised that a company such as Apple or Adobe has not figured out a way to copy protect exported video files.
This is especially true in an era where people feel perfectly free to steal the work of other people without paying them and crediting them.
SSince Xerox made a copier everythng's been open source. CDs were ripped easily, and Mac the Ripper ripped macroblock copy protected DVDs. It's basically beyond the scope of technology to protect something that technology disseminates.
Sounds true, Tom Wolsky. Sad, but true.
However, just try to copy FCPX to a Mac that you have not bought. Apple rightly protects its property. Where there's a will, there's a way.
I'm sure there's some brainy ones and zeros genius geek at Apple who can do it. This person can probably create a no-exceptions encryption that would stop an attempt to copy a file if it was exported with that option.
I won't hold my breath.
TThere is absolutely nothing in FCP that prevents it from being copied onto as many machines as you want. It's not even protected by a serial number.
ITs it's very easy to encrypt a file and lock it so that it needs a key to open it. Any web site can do that, but that doesn't prevent a file from bring copied by anobody who has the encryption key. I need a password to get into Netflex, but once there Aladdin's cave is open.
It is not possible to copy protect video. Anything that can be seen can be copied.
However, you can encrypt a video file that is difficult to "crack". Of course, if you want someone to see your video there is no way to copy protect it.
I recommend you put a copyright notice at the beginning of your video / movie, and a copyright notice on the DVD itself.
cjd1234 wrote:
… I am surprised that a company such as Apple or Adobe has not figured out a way to copy protect exported video files.…
There's a huge difference to protect an app or a file:
On purchasing an app, you usually 'copy' it once on your computer: the OS allows to set and hide all kind copy-protection.
But 'files'?
Technically, any open/close action is a 'copy'; dragging your file from drive A to drive B is a copy; transferring to iPod/Pad/Phone is a copy; uploading to YT/Vimeo/… is a copy.
So, I really can not imagine a concept, to 'copy protect' files - aside, creating a dmg with a pw.
And it would add tons of inconvenience if any action with that file pop-ups a window "enter pw" ...
Finally, the 'crackers' found always a way to ignore any protection.
add a watermark (Compressor offers that), or for distribution use pw-protected dmg or zips; or trust your customers, they don't do evil things 😉
I read these answers when they were posted, but I just wanted to thank everybody for their input.
There is no such thing as copy protection. It doesn't exist with still images or with video.
Can Exported Files Be Copy Protected?
