Macrovision Corporation announced today that The Columbia House Company, the largest direct marketer of home entertainment products, has renewed an agreement to use Macrovision’s technology to protect DVDs and VHS cassettes from unauthorized copying. Columbia House offers its members a wide variety of today’s most popular titles on DVD and VHS, as well “must-have” classics, the same day that they’re available in stores.

Macrovision’s technology helps protect the long-term value of video content by allowing consumers to transparently view original DVDs and VHS cassettes, but prevents unauthorized copying on DVD recorders and significantly distorts unauthorized copies made with VCRs and D-VHS recorders. In addition, the majority of hard drive recorders and home media center PCs recognize Macrovision’s technology and disable recording of copy-protected content. “Macrovision’s technology helps Columbia House generate sales that “stick.” Without copy protection, a consumer could order a DVD, burn a copy and return the original for a refund,” said Tom Carroux, Macrovision’s Director of Sales.