A group of high-profile technology companies and movie studios have joined forces to create a new copy protection standard for DVDs that could allow high-definition movies to be copied and used inside home networks. Dubbed Advanced Access Content System, or AACS, the technology would replace the anticopying technology that now protects ordinary DVDs, but it would be focused on next-generation, high-definition discs. The group behind the technology includes IBM, Intel, Warner Bros., Disney, Microsoft, Sony and Panasonic, as well as Toshiba.

Unlike today's technology, which allows movies to be played only in authorized DVD players, AACS would potentially allow people to store copies of a movie on home computers and watch it on other devices connected to a network--or even transfer it to a portable movie player. Like CSS, the new AACS technology would be added to a disc as it is created and would require specific hardware or software to have the "key" to unlock the content on the disc. Technology specifications and licenses ready later this year and will provide licenses to all content, technology or consumers electronics companies.