Let's be clear here that there are TWO different licenses involved in BD replication.
 
AACS is a mandatory DRM scheme required to REPLICATE BD-ROMs. NO AACS license is required to burn BD-R or BD-RE discs. NO $3000 feel, NO $1600 per-title fee, NO $0.04 per disc fee. NADA.

The SECOND issue is the use of the Blu-ray LOGO itself, which is governed by the BD-A (Blu-ray Disc Ass'n). There ARE several DIFFERENT levels of logo licenses available from AACS-LA, including at least ONE level of free licensing for use of the BD logo.

Please be careful to separate these issues, and understand the financial ramifications of each. In theory, you should be able to purchase a BD-R or BD-RE disc, and use it, FREE OF FURTHER CHARGE, to burn and distribute a high-def program on BD-R or -RE. Whether or not you can use the BD logo in the MARKETING of this is a question that needs to be settled with the BD-A, not AACS.

If you want to replicate BD discs commercially, you will need to solve BOTH issues...

I realize it's complex, and subject to confusion - this is one of many reasons that one needs to be careful and thorough about understanding all of the issues involved with BD.

Last update: 08:22 AM Friday, June 20, 2008