HK1082995B - Method and apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a media and security coded motion picture - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a medium and a security encoded motion picture

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 60/414,179 filed on 27/9/2002 and U.S. provisional patent application 60/417,455 filed on 1/11/2002.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of preventing illegal copying of film, and more particularly to a film coding improvement method that facilitates identification of the source of film illegally copied by a camcorder, and to a coded medium according to the method.

Background

Piracy issues are known to be associated with theatrical exhibition of motion picture films. Once a film distributor distributes a motion picture print to a theater manager in a theater showing, the production loses a degree of control. During normal film show-up, a customer in a theater may surreptitiously record the film with, for example, a hand-held camcorder. More sophisticated, persons who wish to obtain illegal copies of motion picture film prints may collude with an employee of the theater manager and enter the projection booth, completing the production of film prints in a relatively controlled environment after a few hours. In such an environment, the audio in the projection device may be supplied directly to the camcorder. A tripod can be used to ensure the clarity and stability of the picture. As a result, illicit copies can be made. In other words, the dailies themselves may be scanned to make video masters.

In 1982, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) together with kodak corporation developed a technology for uniquely identifying film prints. This technique is commonly referred to as coded anti-piracy (CAP) coding. This code is a series of fuzzy points added to the picture when the dailies are made. Approximately one out of every hundred frames contains four tiny dots added to the image. Typically, 11 CAP coded pictures are required to reconstruct a series of numbers of a film dailies. Each unique combination of points corresponds to a dailies number. Film prints distributed to each theater are typically encoded.

Historically, analog camcorders aimed at theater screens produced poor quality, flickering images, but the encoded dots often remained in the copying and reproduction process. Improved digital camcorders not only record better pictures, but also typically employ video compression algorithms when pirated film is stored in digital format or transmitted over a network, which algorithms tend to overwhelm CAP codes. Since the CAP coding scheme will not work if even a small number of code points are lost during image processing. The advent of digital video compression and distribution techniques has reduced the viability of CAP coding.

Another limitation of CAP coding systems is the total number of 2023 configurations developed in 1982. This number is sufficient at the time, since the number of theaters open at that time is roughly comparable and substantially exceeds the number of dailies of the most distributed movies. The number of theaters in the world now exceeds 20000 and the major movie releases exceed 5000 dailies and usually still increase. Accordingly, an insufficient number of unique codes identifying each film print distributed has occurred.

Yet another limitation of CAP coding systems relates to the size of the code image added to the dailies. The points representing the code are very small and scattered. These characteristics lead to image decomposition during compression. Because the CAP code image combination is a unique identifier, the entire image must exist. CAP coding is therefore 100% dependent on the presence of images.

Further, the frequency with which code images are repeated in CAP coding systems increases the likelihood that the public will see the image. This is undesirable because it may distract the viewer from watching the movie content or give the viewer the impression of a particular theater showing a poor quality print. Accordingly, a successor to CAP coding is urgently required to check film piracy.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a medium. The method includes the step of selecting two or more scenes of the motion picture, each scene including an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from each other portion of the motion picture. Once the scenes are identified, two or more sequences may be defined within each movie scene such that each sequence includes two or more frames. For example, a movie may have three scenes, each scene being divided into twenty-eight sequences, each sequence containing 12 frames. Once the scenes and sequences are selected, the method may continue with the step of selectively marking at least one sequence of each scene to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking arrangement or pattern on the media.

The motion picture scenes may be selected to be separated from each other by a motion picture buffer segment. Further, a movie scene may be selected by identifying portions of the movie that include relatively few panning movements. The motion picture scenes may also be selected by identifying portions of the motion picture having density, brightness, and/or coloration characteristics that enhance the visibility of the marking pattern.

The marking step described above may comprise marking one or more consecutive frames within each sequence to be marked. For example, two to five frames may be marked in each such sequence. Further, the marking step can include selecting at least one marked frame to include the first frame appearing within each marked sequence. The marking step may be accomplished by modifying the medium to associate the mark with a particular frame. Thus, when the image associated with such a frame is displayed, the indicia will be visible. The formed mark may comprise a cluster of dots. Each point has a profile corresponding to a predetermined shape, which may be any suitable polygon, circle, or ellipse. The color of the mark may be selected to enhance the contrast of the image associated with the frame so that the mark may be more easily detected at a later time. Further, the point groups may vary with the production location. Thus, a uniquely identifiable cluster of dots can be associated with each of a plurality of production locations. In this way, the point cloud can identify the production location as a copy source.

According to one aspect of the method, the selected medium may be a film positive. In this case, the marking step includes physically forming the mark on at least one screen. Alternatively, the selected medium may be a digital storage medium. In this case, the modification of the medium includes modifying the digital data on the digital storage medium. In this case, the modifying step may be conveniently selected to cause the mark to appear within at least one image displayed during playback of the movie contained on the digital storage medium.

According to another aspect of the invention, each sequence within each scene may correspond to a number. In this case, the marking step includes marking the respective sequences within each scene such that the combination of numbers assigned to the marked sequences corresponds to the film print identification number assigned to the particular print. The method further comprises changing the marking pattern of each copy of the motion picture produced such that no two copies of the motion picture have the same marking pattern.

Notably, a second set of scenes may be selected. As with the first set of scenes described above, each of the second set of scenes includes an identifiable portion of the motion picture that is different from various other portions of the motion picture. The method includes defining two or more sequences in each of the second set of motion picture scenes, each sequence including two or more pictures. Thereafter, the method may continue with the step of selectively marking at least one sequence of each scene of the second set to repeat the uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

The present invention also includes a security encoded motion picture disposed on a medium. The motion picture may be divided into two or more scenes, each scene including identifiable portions of the motion picture that are different from respective other portions of the motion picture. Each movie scene may advantageously be separated from each other by a movie buffer segment. Further, each movie scene may define a sequence, each sequence including two or more frames. For example, a motion picture medium may contain at least three scenes, each scene being divided into at least ten sequences, each sequence containing at least eight pictures. At least one segment of each scene is conveniently marked to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

According to one aspect, a motion picture scene is composed of portions of the motion picture that include relatively few follow-up shots. Further, the motion picture scene has at least one of density, brightness, and coloration characteristics to enhance visibility of the marking pattern.

Each marked segment is composed of at least one marked frame. If more than one frame is marked, the marked frames are arranged consecutively. For example, each marked sequence may include two to five marked consecutive frames. Further, it may be convenient to select at least one of the marked frames so that it is the first frame in sequence within the sequence that has been marked.

The marked visual may comprise any visual that is intentionally modified in order to associate a visible mark to be added to the image with the visual at the time the image is displayed. For example, the marker may be the point group described above. Further, a cluster of dots may be associated exclusively with one of the plurality of production locations, the cluster of dots identifying the production location as a source of the secure encoded movie.

The medium may be a film print, in which case the mark is comprised of an image disposed on the film print. Alternatively, the medium may be a digital storage medium, and the digital data on the digital storage medium may be modified to produce the indicia. In particular, the digital data may be modified such that the mark appears within at least one image displayed during playback of a movie contained on the digital storage medium. In any event, the marking pattern of each copy of the motion picture can be conveniently changed so that no two copies of the motion picture have the same marking pattern.

Further, a second set of scenes on the medium may be selected. As with the first set of scenes described above, each of the second set of motion picture scenes includes an identifiable portion of the motion picture that is different from the respective other portion of the motion picture. Each of the second set of motion picture scenes defines two or more sequences, each sequence consisting of a plurality of frames. At least one of the sequences of each of the second set of scenes is marked to repeat a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention includes an apparatus capable of uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a medium. The apparatus includes a computer processor that identifies two or more of the scenes described above in response to user input. The computer processor uses this information to define a sequence within each of a plurality of motion picture scenes, each sequence consisting of a plurality of frames. The apparatus further comprises suitable media modification means which can selectively mark at least one of the sequences in each scene to define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

According to another aspect of the invention, a security encoded motion picture comprises a motion picture recording comprised of one or more pictures. Each frame contains at least a portion of the image associated with the movie. At least one reference point frame may be defined within the movie such that the relative position of one or more other frames may be uniquely identified. For example, the reference point may correspond to a picture that appears at the beginning of a particular scene of a movie or to the first picture of a particular image that forms part of a movie. Any easily identifiable portion of the movie may be used as a reference point. Further, at least one frame contains a marker. The position of the marked frame relative to one or more reference point frames can uniquely identify the production copy of the motion picture. One or more marked frames dispersed at different locations within the motion picture collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern. Further, each marked picture may be part of a series of consecutively marked pictures. For example, two to ten marked frames may be provided within each series.

The invention also includes a method of securely encoding a motion picture, the method comprising the step of storing a motion picture recording comprised of one or more pictures on a medium, each picture containing at least a portion of an image associated with the motion picture. The method further includes selectively marking at least one frame having an identifiable location within the motion picture relative to one or more predefined reference point frames, such that the location of the at least one marked frame uniquely identifies the particular production copy of the motion picture.

According to yet another embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for securely encoding a motion picture. The apparatus comprises recording means for storing on a medium a movie recording comprising a plurality of pictures, each picture comprising at least a portion of an image associated with the movie. Marking means are also provided for selectively marking at least one picture having an identifiable position in the motion picture relative to one or more predefined reference point pictures. The position of the one or more marked frames relative to the reference point frame uniquely identifies the particular production copy of the motion picture.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a movie stored on a medium to aid in understanding the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a frame containing a marked image.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the apparatus for marking a movie of the present invention to assist understanding of the apparatus.

Fig. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing how different marks can be used to mark different film prints.

Detailed Description

Movies are typically distributed to theaters around the world. Accordingly, in order to distribute a movie to multiple locations simultaneously, multiple duplicate copies of a typical movie are made on a suitable medium. Film is currently the most common medium for distributing movies to theaters. For example, a typical film that reaches the length of a feature film may have between about five and eight rolls of film. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention described herein to deter piracy of motion pictures is not limited to its application to film media, but may be applied to any media on which motion pictures can be recorded. Such media can include any of a variety of technologies presently available, including DVD, CD ROM, and magnetic disk, as well as optical, electro-optical, magneto-optical storage formats, whether now known or later developed.

Fig. 1 shows a movie stored on a medium 100. The process of uniquely identifying each production copy of a movie produced for distribution to theaters may begin by selecting two or more scenes of the movie. Each scene is composed of identifiable portions of the motion picture that are distinct from respective other portions of the motion picture. In FIG. 1, a scene 102 is shown₁To 102_nIt is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular number of selected scenes.

Once the scene 102 is selected₁To 102_nTwo or more sequences 104 may be defined in these scenarios. The sequences 104 are preferably of equal length and each sequence may include two or more frames 106 containing image information. For example, within a movie, three scenes 102 may be identified₁、102₂、102₃And each scene may be divided into slave 104₁To 104₂₈Twenty-eight segments with each segment containing 106₁To 106₁₂Twelve frames.

Once the scenes and associated sequences are defined, one or more sequences selected from each scene may be marked to make a uniquely identifiable pattern. For example, referring to FIG. 1, a particular production copy of a movie stored on media 100 may be marked so that scene 102 is₁Inner, segment 104₉Is marked; in a scene 102₂Inner, segment 104₁₄Is marked; in a scene 102_nInner, segment 104₇Is marked. The film is then assigned a sequence number 9-14-7 corresponding to the number of segments marked in each scene. Thus, the particular sequence marked within each scene defines a code that allows a particular production copy of the movie to be identified.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the marking process includes marking the specific segment 104 for inclusion_nWithin one or more frames 106. According to a preferred embodiment, two to five consecutive frames can be marked anywhere within the sequence. For example, the first three frames appearing in a sequence may be marked. Marking may be accomplished by modifying the media to produce a mark associated with a particular frame. Thus, the indicia will be visible when the image associated with the frame is displayed. The formed mark may comprise a cluster of dots. Each point has a profile corresponding to a predetermined shape, which may be any suitable polygon, circle, or ellipse. The color of the mark may be selected to enhance the contrast of the image associated with the frame so that the mark may be more easily detected at a later time. Further, the dot groups may be changed by the production location. Thus, a uniquely identifiable cluster of dots is associated with each of a large number of production locations. Herein describedThe term "production location" is used to refer to the location, site, building, etc. where the production copy of the motion picture was produced. In this manner, the point cloud may identify a particular production location as the copy source.

According to embodiments of the invention, a movie scene 102 may be selected₁To 102_nSuch that they are separated from each other by a movie buffer segment 103 comprising one or more pictures. Further, the movie scene may be selected by identifying portions of the movie that tend to reduce the likelihood that the mark will be noticed by the viewer. Having a large number of actions in the scene is advantageous because the viewer's eyes are attracted to the actions in the scene and thus the viewer is less likely to notice the mark. However, scenes that include panning motion are rarely desirable because the indicia appear to be stationary as the background in the scene moves according to the panning motion of the camera. This is a disadvantage as it tends to draw attention to the label. The motion picture scenes can also be conveniently selected by identifying portions of the motion picture having density, brightness and/or coloration characteristics that enhance the visibility of the marking pattern.

According to another aspect of the invention, each sequence within each scene may correspond to a number. In this case, the marking step includes marking the corresponding segment within each scene such that the combination of numbers assigned to the marked segments corresponds to the identification number assigned to the film print of the particular copy. The method also includes altering the marking pattern of each copy of the motion picture that is made so that no two copies of the motion picture have the same marking pattern.

The indicia applied to the visual may include any modification of the media that will produce a visually recognizable feature when the visual is displayed. For example, the feature may be a single point, a group or group of points arranged in a particular pattern, a pattern of straight or curved lines, or any combination thereof. The dots may be any particular shape including circular, oval, elliptical, polygonal, and any other regular or irregular shape. Even marks that appear to be arbitrarily inscribed can be used for this purpose, as long as these inscriptions can be easily recognized when the picture is displayed. According to one embodiment, the choice of marker is not limited except to the extent that it can be subsequently identified. This is a significant advantage because the mark can be formed in a manner that is relatively difficult for an illicit copyist to identify and remove. In other words, the mark itself may be encoded in such a way that the mark has a further meaning.

For example, when there is more than one lab or production plant producing a copy of a motion picture production, the mark can be used to identify the particular location where the dailies were produced. In this case, different production locations are assigned different marks. This concept is illustrated in fig. 4A and 4B. Fig. 4A shows a frame 106 including a marker 108 composed of a group of points. The arrangement of dots forming a dot group in fig. 4A may represent a first production location. In contrast, the screen 106 shown in FIG. 4B with another mark 108 composed of a different arrangement of clusters of points may be used to identify another production location.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mark may be conveniently selected so that it is not readily perceptible to a person viewing the movie. Accordingly, in this case, it is desirable that the size of the individual elements of the selected mark, such as dots or lines, be relatively small. Of course, the indicia must be of sufficient size to enable the indicia to be seen when the picture image is displayed. Further, the color of the dot or mark may be selected so that there is sufficient contrast between the dot or mark and the film image of the picture on which the mark has been made, so that the dot or mark can be easily recognized when displaying the image contained in the picture. For this purpose, the color of the marking can be changed for different scenes. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard and a single color may be used in all of the markers appearing in the various scenes and sequences.

A single picture can be used to mark a particular sequence in order to encode a particular production copy of the motion picture. However, this can be a disadvantage because modern video compression techniques used on some types of copying devices can partially or completely remove these marks when they only appear on a single picture. Accordingly, it is advantageous for the present invention to mark multiple consecutive frames 106 within a particular sequence 104 with the same mark having the same relative position within each frame. These continuous markings will help ensure that the markings persist after any video compression algorithm is applied to make and/or distribute the illicit copies.

Increasing the number of consecutively marked pictures has disadvantages. In particular, increasing the number of consecutively marked frames tends to increase the likelihood that a person watching a movie will notice their presence. This is undesirable because it may interfere with the enjoyment of the movie or may create the impression that a particular theater will not show a high quality movie. This would also alert those who illicitly record the movie to the presence of the mark. In this respect, it has been found that two to five, preferably three, consecutively marked pictures achieve a satisfactory balance between avoiding the perception of the marked picture and maintaining a sufficient robustness of the marking. However, it is feasible to apply more or fewer marked frames, and the invention is not limited to any particular number of consecutive marked frames.

The same or different labels may be used for different scenes 102. However, the marks used on multiple consecutive pictures within a particular sequence 104 are conveniently made identical to each other to avoid mark loss when video compression techniques are applied in the illicit copying and distribution of motion pictures.

The frames may be marked using any suitable method suitable for recording media of movies. For example, if a particular production copy of a motion picture is recorded on a film media, the image on the frame of the film can be modified in a manner similar to that used in conventional CAP coding. Such techniques are well known. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are a wide variety of well known methods of placing identifiable indicia on one or more filmstrip frames that are visible when the frames are displayed, and that the present invention is not limited to any particular method. For example, the mark may be applied to the film media at the same time as the film is printed. Marking may be accomplished by embedding the mark with a laser, overlaying the mark on the film stock with a slide strip projector or slide projector, a Digital Light Projector (DLP) or any other suitable means to produce an image corresponding to the desired mark on a particular frame of the film print.

Other, less complex, ways may be used to mark the film stock. The marks can be manually inscribed in place on the film, for example, with a inscribing tool. However, this type of manual marking may lead to inconsistencies in marking and is therefore not a preferred way of marking. The film may also be directly marked with ink.

If the movie is digitally recorded, the digital data associated with such a recording medium may be modified to produce the selected mark. For example, a conventional DVD medium may be modified such that the selected image would overlay the image associated with one or more frames. If the selected image is the desired mark, the mark added to it will appear on the particular frame within the mark sequence when displayed. These images will be reproduced if the movie is recorded by a camcorder or other type of video recording device. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the use of a particular type of recording medium and compression scheme will affect the manner in which the digital data is modified, and such methods are within the skill of the art. In this regard, the present invention is not limited to any particular digital recording medium, video compression scheme, or method of modifying a digital medium to associate a mark with a selected movie scene. The digital data on the medium may be modified by any suitable method to add the mark to the frame of the movie. Further, it should be noted that a text picture as used herein may include both interlaced video pictures and non-interlaced video pictures.

It is noted that the encoding process described herein may be repeated multiple times at different locations of the medium 100 on which the movie is disposed. In this case a second set of scenes 102 may be selected, each scene comprising an identifiable portion of the movie different from the respective other portion of the movie. As with the first set of scenes, two or more sequences 104 may be defined in each of the second set of motion picture scenes, each sequence including two or more frames 106. Thereafter, the method continues with marking in at least one of the sequences of each of the second group of motion picture scenes to repeat the uniquely identifiable marking pattern, as described above. Alternatively, if the second set of scenes is contained on another film roll, a different coding pattern may be used.

The present invention also includes an apparatus for producing a motion picture comprising an anti-piracy code disposed on film media. Referring to fig. 3, the apparatus 300 can make encoded motion picture production prints from a motion picture film negative 307. The apparatus includes a control computer 314 and a marking device 312 in communication with an encoder 316. A motion picture production print is produced by passing an unexposed film stock 301 from a film reel 302 through a printer 318. Printer 318 can be any commercially available film printer that produces motion picture film from film negative 307. The film negative 307 is fed from a reel 306 containing the negative to be printed to a reel 308 around which the negative has been printed. Similarly, film stock 301 is transferred from reel 302 containing unexposed film stock to reel 304 containing film that has been printed. Film stock 301 is passed simultaneously with film negative 307 through a printer 318 and each frame on the negative is transferred to unexposed film stock 301 in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art.

When a film image is transferred from negative film 307 to film stock 301 on a frame-by-frame basis, the number of frames 106 that have been printed can be counted using information provided by encoder 316. The encoder 316 can be any commercially available device that counts the number of pictures 106 as the film is wound from reel 302 to reel 304. For example, the encoder may be a sprocket that engages perforations in the print film 301. A shaft (not shown) may be optically encoded so that its number of rotations can be counted with an electronic-optical sensor. Alternatively, any other type of sensor, including electronic, electro-optical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical sensors, may be used for counting if the sensor has the capability to communicate information to the control computer 314 that is directly or indirectly related to the number of film frames passing over the sprocket.

The code number corresponding to each production copy of the motion picture may be added to the medium on which the production copy is placed. For example, according to one embodiment, a verifiable bar code may be burned onto the raw film with laser 310. This allows for convenient identification of a particular production copy without looking for the anti-piracy coded indicia described herein. The bar code may be located in a pull zone of the printed film roll. Alternatively, the bar code can be located outside the film perforations or between perforations. This arrangement advantageously prevents the bar code from being visible to a viewer when the movie is being shown. Laser 310 is controlled by control computer 314 to produce the correct bar code on each film that corresponds to the film that has or will be marked for anti-piracy.

The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The control computer 314 may be implemented in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out these methods. The computer program in this case may be any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having a capability to process information to perform a particular function either directly or indirectly, either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) replicated in different material forms.

The control computer 314 may be provided with information regarding the specific portions of the movie production copy that are to be marked. Such information may be provided in any one or more of a variety of different manners. According to one embodiment, the control computer may be provided with a specific number of pictures to be marked relative to a reference point (e.g., the beginning of a movie). Alternatively, the control computer may be provided with a specific physical location relative to the beginning of the film print to be marked. These particular physical locations correspond to a set of frames within the sequence to be marked. In another embodiment, the control computer 314 may be provided with information identifying the scenes within the film that are to be marked (e.g., by a range of frame numbers), the number of sequences per scene, and specific code information assigned to a particular production copy of the motion picture. The control computer 314 uses this information to automatically identify the number of pictures associated with each segment 104, as well as the particular segment of pictures that need to be marked in order to encode a film-specific production copy with the code number that has been assigned to it.

The control computer can be programmed with position information relating to the number of consecutive frames to be marked within each sequence and the frames to be marked within each marked sequence (e.g. the first three frames). The control computer 314 controls the selection of marked pictures based on information provided by the encoder 316 and control information from the printer 318 regarding the number of pictures that have been printed relative to some reference point, such as the beginning of the film.

In fig. 3, the marking process is shown as being performed immediately after the printing process. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the marking process may be implemented at any time before or after the film is transferred to the film stock 301. Nor is the invention limited to the exact arrangement shown in fig. 3. For example, the marking device may be arranged to mark the film stock 301 prior to the film being fed to the printer 318.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the claims.

Claims (59)

1. A method of uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a medium, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting a plurality of motion picture scenes, each scene of the plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from respective other portions of the motion picture;

selectively defining a plurality of sequences within each of the plurality of motion picture scenes, each sequence of the plurality of sequences comprising a plurality of pictures; and

forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the medium by exclusively marking selected ones of the plurality of segments in each scene, the selection of segments marked in the selected scenes defining the identifiable marking pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting the scenes of the motion picture such that the scenes are separated from each other by a buffer segment of the motion picture.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of selecting the plurality of motion picture scenes further comprises selectively identifying portions of the motion picture that include relatively little movement.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of selecting said plurality of motion picture scenes further comprises selectively identifying portions of said motion picture having at least one of luminance and chrominance characteristics to enhance visibility of said indicia.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the media includes marking a plurality of consecutive frames in each of the sequences that have been marked.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the media further comprises marking at least one frame in each of the sequences that have been marked.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the media includes marking three consecutive frames in each of the sequences that have been marked.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising selecting at least one of said marked frames to include a first frame appearing within each of the already marked sequences.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the medium further comprises modifying the medium such that the marking is visible when the image associated with the at least one frame is displayed.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of forming the mark as a group of dots.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of assigning a uniquely identifiable point cluster to each of the plurality of production locations.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of forming each of said points having a contour corresponding to a predetermined shape.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting a color of the indicia to enhance its contrast with an image associated with the frame.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting said movie to have three of said scenes, wherein each scene is divided into 28 of said sequences, and wherein each of said sequences contains 12 of said frames.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting said medium to be a film positive.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the media further comprises physically forming a marking on at least one of the panels.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting the medium to be a digital storage medium.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern on the medium further comprises modifying digital data on a digital storage medium.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the modifying step is selected such that the mark appears in the displayed at least one image during playback of the motion picture from the digital storage medium.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein each of said segments corresponds to a number and said selectively marking step further comprises marking the corresponding respective segment within each of said scenes such that the combination of the numbers of the marked segments corresponds to the film print identification number assigned to said print.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the marking pattern of each production copy of the motion picture such that no two copies of the motion picture have the same marking pattern.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a second set of motion picture scenes, each motion picture scene in the second set of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from respective other portions of the motion picture;

defining a plurality of said sequences in each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of sequences comprising a plurality of said frames; and

selectively marking at least one of the plurality of sequences in each of the second set of motion picture scenes to repeat the uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

23. A secure encoded motion picture disposed on a medium, comprising:

a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of the plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from respective other portions of the motion picture;

a plurality of sequences predefined within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said sequences comprising a plurality of frames; and

wherein only selected ones of said plurality of segments in each of said scenes are marked, the presence of marks in said selected ones of said plurality of segments in each of said scenes together forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

24. The security encoded motion picture of claim 23, wherein each of the motion picture scenes is separated from each other by a buffer segment of the motion picture.

25. The security encoded motion picture of claim 23, wherein the plurality of motion picture scenes comprises portions of the motion picture that include relatively little motion.

26. The security coded motion picture of claim 23, wherein the plurality of motion picture scenes are selected by identifying portions of the motion picture having at least one of density, brightness, and coloration characteristics that enhance visibility of the uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

27. The security coded motion picture of claim 23, wherein each of the marked segments comprises a plurality of consecutive marked frames.

28. The security coded motion picture of claim 23, wherein each of the marked segments comprises at least one marked picture.

29. The security coded motion picture of claim 23, wherein each of the marked segments comprises three consecutive frames that have been marked.

30. The secure coded motion picture of claim 28, wherein the at least one marked picture comprises at least a first picture that appears within the already marked sequence.

31. The security coded motion picture of claim 28, wherein the marked picture comprises the mark superimposed on an image associated with at least one picture such that the mark is visible when the image is displayed.

32. The security encoded movie of claim 31, wherein the mark is a group of points.

33. The security encoded movie of claim 32, wherein the cluster of points is exclusively associated with one of the plurality of production locations.

34. The security coded motion picture of claim 32, wherein each of the dots has a contour corresponding to a predetermined shape.

35. The security coded motion picture of claim 31, wherein the color of the indicia contrasts with an image associated with the frame to facilitate subsequent detection.

36. The security coded motion picture of claim 23, wherein the motion picture comprises at least three of the scenes, each scene being divided into at least ten of the sequences, and each of the sequences comprising at least eight of the pictures.

37. The security encoded motion picture of claim 23, wherein the medium is a film print.

38. The security encoded motion picture of claim 37, wherein the mark comprises an image disposed on the film print.

39. The security encoded movie of claim 23, wherein the medium is a digital storage medium.

40. The security encoded movie of claim 39, wherein digital data on the digital storage medium is modified to produce the mark.

41. The security encoded movie of claim 40, wherein the digital data is modified such that the mark appears within the at least one image displayed during playback of the movie from the digital storage medium.

42. A security encoded motion picture as claimed in claim 23 wherein each of said segments corresponds to a number and the combination of numbers of marked segments corresponds to a film print identification number assigned to a particular production copy of said motion picture.

43. The security encoded motion picture of claim 23, wherein the marking pattern is different for each production copy of the motion picture.

44. The secure encoded motion picture of claim 23, further comprising a second set of motion picture scenes, each motion picture scene in the second set of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from a respective other portion of the motion picture;

a plurality of said sequences within each of said second plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said plurality of sequences comprising a plurality of said frames; and

wherein at least one of the plurality of sequences in each of the second set of motion picture scenes is marked to repeat the uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

45. An apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a medium, comprising:

means for selecting a plurality of motion picture scenes, each of the plurality of motion picture scenes comprising an identifiable portion of the motion picture distinct from respective other portions of the motion picture;

means for defining a plurality of sequences within each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said sequences comprising a plurality of pictures; and

means for exclusively marking only selected ones of the plurality of segments of each scene to collectively form a uniquely identifiable marking pattern that is identifiable based on a particular selection of the segments marked in the respective scene.

46. An apparatus for uniquely identifying a copy of a motion picture disposed on a medium, comprising:

means responsive to user input for identifying a plurality of motion picture scenes for defining a plurality of sequences in each of said plurality of motion picture scenes, each of said sequences comprising a plurality of frames; and

means for selectively marking at least one of the plurality of segments of each scene to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern; and

wherein each of said plurality of motion picture scenes comprises an identifiable portion of said motion picture distinct from respective other portions of said motion picture, and only selected ones of said plurality of sequences are marked in each of said scenes, the presence of said marks in said selected ones of said plurality of sequences in respective ones of said scenes together forming a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

47. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said means for selectively marking marks three consecutive frames within each of said already marked sequences.

48. The apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said means for selectively marking marks at least one frame within each of said sequences that have been marked.

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said at least one picture in each of said sequences comprises a first picture appearing in each of said sequences.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said means for selectively marking modifies said medium to associate a mark with each of said frames that have been marked such that said mark is visible when said image is displayed.

51. A security coded motion picture comprising:

a motion picture recording comprising a plurality of frames, each frame comprising at least a portion of an image associated with the motion picture, at least one predetermined frame of the motion picture defining a reference point relative to which a plurality of other frames can be uniquely identified; and

at least one of the frames includes a mark, and the position of the at least one marked frame relative to the reference point uniquely identifies a particular production copy of the motion picture.

52. The security coded motion picture of claim 51, wherein a plurality of the marked frames collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern.

53. The security coded motion picture of claim 51, wherein each of the marked pictures is part of a series of consecutive marked pictures.

54. The security coded motion picture of claim 53, wherein there are between two and ten frames marked within each said series.

55. A movie security encoding method, comprising:

storing, on a medium, a movie recording comprising a plurality of frames, each frame comprising at least a portion of an image associated with the movie; and

selectively marking at least one of said frames with a predetermined marking having an identifiable position relative to at least one predetermined reference point frame within said motion picture, said position of said at least one marked frame uniquely identifying a particular production copy of said motion picture.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of selecting a plurality of said marked frames to collectively define a uniquely identifiable marking pattern for each production copy of the motion picture.

57. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of forming each of said marked frames as part of a series of consecutive marked frames.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of forming two to ten marked frames in each of said series.

59. A motion picture security encoding apparatus comprising:

means for storing a movie recording comprising a plurality of frames on a medium, each frame comprising at least a portion of an image associated with the movie; and

means for selectively marking at least one of said frames with a predetermined marking having an identifiable position relative to at least one predetermined reference point frame within said motion picture, said position of said at least one marked frame uniquely identifying a particular production copy of said motion picture.