Fox DVDs Get iTunes Digital Copy

Fox and Apple have announced iTunes Digital Copy, enabling purchasers of Fox DVDs to transfer movies to iTunes for viewing on an iPod, iPhone, computer, or an Apple TV.

Although it has been a little overlooked in all the hubbub surrounding yesterday’s Macworld Expo keynote announcements from Apple, 20th Century Fox movie studio has announced a new partnership with Apple that will enable purchases of selected Fox DVDs to get a digital copy of their purchase for use with iTunes. Dubbed “iTunes Digital Copy,” the feature will enable iTunes users to put the DVD content into their iTunes library and watch it on their computers, or transfer it to video-capable iPods, an iPhone, or the Apple TV.

“One of the most requested features DVD buyers have been asking for is the ability to get the movies they bought into their iTunes library,” said Fox Filmed Entertainment chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to offer such an incredibly simple way for our customers to get even more out of their DVD purchase, and we look forward to releasing many more DVDs this year with iTunes Digital Copy.”

When a consumer buys a DVD with an iTunes Digital Copy included, they just need to insert it into their iTunes-enabled computer. Once the DVD is recognized, users can enter a unique code from the DVD packaging into iTunes, and iTunes will automatically copy the movie to the user’s iTunes library “within minutes.” Each DVD will only transfer into iTunes, once, however, to users had better hope power doesn’t go out during the process. The data is actually copied from the DVD (rather than downloaded from the iTunes service), and requires iTunes 7.6 and QuickTime 7.4.

The first DVD with an iTunes Digital Copy will be Family Guy Presents: Blue Harvest, a scifi-geek skewing parody of Star Wars produced for Fox’s Family Guy animated television show.

Apple hasn’t announced any other movie studios looking to offer iTunes Digital Copies, but the company has said it plans to offer more DVDs this year that take advantage of the capability.