Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and system for eliminating or deterring the unauthorized duplication or piracy of video program material, including video tape, cable and broadcast television material. A composite video signal is encoded when recording, or upon broadcast by wire or cable, for preventing unauthorized duplication of the video material and without the need for scramblers and unscramblers. The encoding method allows normal playback of the video material on a conventional television receiver or monitor, but prevents the video material from being effectively re-recorded or duplicated on any of a number of commercially available video recorders by eliminating or distorting the video image upon playback of the re-recording to thereby destroy its commercial value. No decoder or unscrambler is required at the television receiver or monitor for normal playback of the encoded video signals.