Full FeedEMA proposes anti-theft solution for video games, DVDs
DVD and video game theft has always been a problem, especially for games since they are so expensive and a guaranteed resale.
The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) is sick of tired of this (as well as everyone else) and is proposing a new device to prevent theft. It’s called “benefit denial technology.” Games and DVDs will be shipped to stores in an inoperable state and, when the game is purchased, it becomes operable again. They also hope to do this for Blu-Ray.
The project is appropriately code-named “Project Lazarus.” The EMA hopes with this project to prevent theft from stores and factories because the game will basically be useless until it is activated by a point-of-sales register. If a thief stole the game from the store, he will have a hard time playing it on his system.
Some of the features are as follows:
- It has the ability to be reactivated (make it inoperable) if the game is returned
- The device will set off alarm if not deactivated
- The security device will not be able to be removed from the packaging
- It will be expandable outside the US
This device will save everyone money because, according to EMA’s President and CEO Bo Andersen, in an interview with GameDaily, not only will it help stop sales loss but it will reduce labor costs, improve consumer access to video games and Blu-ray discs and allow more stores to have the disks right on the shelves.
This technology is not too far off, EMA says around 2010 it will be allowing companies to decide whether or not they want to use benefit denial technology in their stores.
It sounds like a wonderful idea that should have been implemented years ago. I’m sure there are some problems associated with it, like maybe glitches that will cause the game to be inoperable forever or suddenly become inoperable, but we’ll have to wait and see.
And this, of course, will never fully prevent theft (people will find a way around it) but it will be a lot harder to do and maybe not worth the effort for most shoplifters and thieves.
Read [Game Daily] Site [Entertainment Merchants Association ]
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A lot of people are asking why the system of having the product behind the counter or in a back room doesn’t work. The answer is it does prevent theft from shoppers, however fully 50% or more of retail theft is committed by employees who have access to the goods.
on March 6, 2009 at 09:09 AM - LINKepilare definitiva