Consumers 'increasingly duplicating DVDs'

A new survey has found that one in three consumers copy commercial DVDs.

The study by Futuresource Consulting polled people in both the UK and the US and found that the figures of people copying DVDs was up to one-third, compared to one-quarter a year ago.

Macworld.com reports that the most likely culprits are males aged 18-24, who use either a DVD recorder or computer software to duplicate the disc.

According to the site, software exists which means that copy protection features on commercial DVDs can be avoided and people are copying not only their own purchased DVDs but also those they have rented or borrowed.

"Some consumers may duplicate the DVD to keep the original safe, as in the case of parents who don't want movies popular with their kids to get damaged or destroyed by mishandling them," explains Macworld.

"Other consumers may want to avoid paying the purchase price of a movie they've rented or borrowed."

CD/DVD duplication firm Media Supply recently revealed it would be offering Blu-ray services to its clients using either single or double-layer discs for up to 25 or 50GB storage respectively.