The AP's Gary Gentile reports that a new RFID solution from NXP Semiconductors and Kestrel Wireless will render products like DVDs unusable until they're activated at the cash register. The companies say deals with Hollywood studios are expected by this summer.

"A chip smaller than the head of a pin is placed onto a DVD along with a thin coating that blocks a DVD player from reading critical information on the disc," Gentile writes. "At the register, the chip is activated and sends an electrical pulse through the coating, turning it clear and making the disc playable."

"The companies said their technology also can be used to protect electric shavers, ink jet cartridges, flash memory drives and even flat-screen TV sets by preventing some critical element from functioning unless activated," Gentile adds.

More here from PC World ... more here from Top Tech News ... and the press release is here.