Tomasz Wadowski
If you have DVDs from the mid-2000s at home, you better check them – they may be slowly falling apart! It turns out that millions of Warner Bros discs sold between 2006 and 2008 have a serious manufacturing defect. The problem is called “laser rot,” which literally means “disc rot” . This is not a visible scratch or damage – the disc literally starts to fall apart from the inside.
What is ‘laser rot’?
Most people think that DVD and Blu-ray discs should last for decades, but laser rot is the chemical breakdown of the reflective layer. Over the years, the metal layer inside the disc starts to corrode, causing the DVD player to be unable to read the data. The effect? The film stutters, strange artifacts appear, and eventually, the disc stops working altogether.
The problem surfaced in the 90s with LaserDiscs, but no one expected it to affect DVDs as well. The matter came to light when Chris Bumbray from JoBlo attempted to watch The Passion of the Christ (1944) – the movie suddenly stopped. He thought it was the player’s fault, but soon discovered that other collectors were having exactly the same problem.
How to check if your discs are at risk?
If you have Warner Bros films released between 2006 and 2008, take a close look at the disc. If you see the marking “IFPI 2U” on the inner ring (near the spindle hole), it may indicate that the disc has a limited lifespan.
Here’s a list of the most notable films that may be affected:
🎬 The Shawshank Redemption
🎬 Blade Runner (Collector's Edition)
🎬 Superman film series
🎬 Rebel Without a Cause
🎬 2001: A Space Odyssey (later releases)
The FlatPanels HD service has published a complete list of titles at risk from this issue.
Warner Bros admits to the problem, but the exchange isn't that simple…
After the report about faulty discs spread across the internet, Warner Bros officially confirmed that there was indeed a production error and the company is prepared to exchange the damaged discs. BUT… there are certain limitations:
✅ If the film is still available for sale – you'll get a new disc.
❌ If the rights to the film have expired or it has been withdrawn – you'll receive another film in exchange.
What to do to not lose your films?
Check your discs – look for the marking “IFPI 2U” and run the films to see if they work.
If the disc works, make a backup – According to Australian law, making backup copies for personal use is allowed. However, the issue arises with technically protected discs – bypassing them, even in the comfort of your home, is illegal. Of course, we do not encourage such actions.
Contact Warner Bros – send an email to whv@wbd.com, attach proof of purchase and request a replacement.
Why did this happen at all?
It's not exactly clear what went wrong, but many people suspect that in the mid-2000s, film studios began cutting costs on DVD production. Cheaper materials and new production processes may have made discs from that era more susceptible to degradation.
The moral of the story? Physical media isn't eternal
For many collectors, this is another proof that DVDs and Blu-rays aren't as durable as once thought. In the age of streaming, some classic films are still available online, but many director's cuts, commentaries, and extras may disappear forever. Fans of physical media have a tough nut to crack.
Source: JoBlo, FlatPanels HD, SteveHoffman.tv forums.
