DVDs in the past. are still very valuable and worth to preserve and collect the treasure.
The hilight valuable DVDs:
DVD Ripping - Legal or Illegal?
by: Tim Moss
U.S. copyright laws forbid the sale of software that bypasses DVD copy protection. Despite this there are hundreds of the software packages available online that have that capability.
In recent cases brought under the existing law the claim was made that the vendors were unaware of the capability of the software they offered for sale. Specifically, the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act bans providing information or tools to negate copy-control features. This includes the Contents Scramble System currently employed by DVD's. Individuals and companies are forbidden to sell DVD-ripping programs and copyright attorneys maintain that people who use the software in the US to break the protection are breaking the law.
While the US Movie industry fights to protect it's rights under copyright law, the vast array of DVD ripping software now offered for sale online and the ease with which consumers can use it, make it a foregone conclusion that Hollywood is fighting a losing battle. Today the copying and conversion of DVD and audio files is totally simple and, in fact, much of the software now offered free online automate the technique. Even the non-geeks can do it!
John Malcolm, antipiracy chief of the Motion Picture Association of America disputes the freedom of use claims made in the case of DVD's being copied by someone who has bought the DVD for their personal use as backup etc. The MPAA plans to stop the piracy of movies before movies go the way of the music industry where piracy is so widespread as to have completely negated the laws of copyright in the US. MPAA was successful in getting a court order to ban 321 Studio's flagship product DVD-X Copy. After a number of unsuccessful court battles, the company went out of business despite the fact that the product was a highly popular and successful program.
Many of the companies distributing DVD ripping software sold at major outlets warn US customers of the illegality of copying DVD's with copyright protection. At the same time, consumers are directed to other sites (many of them offshore) where the necessary software elements to complete ripping copyright protected DVD's. While MPAA continues to promise direct action to stop piracy, the actual ability of the Association to effect this intent in such situations has to be questioned.
About The Author
The hilight valuable DVDs:
| The Lion King (Four-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy) Matthew Broderick | Friday Night Lights: The Second Season Kyle Chandler |
| Sucker Punch Abbie Cornish | Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Two-Disc Blu-ray / DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) Johnny Depp |
by: Tim Moss
U.S. copyright laws forbid the sale of software that bypasses DVD copy protection. Despite this there are hundreds of the software packages available online that have that capability.
In recent cases brought under the existing law the claim was made that the vendors were unaware of the capability of the software they offered for sale. Specifically, the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act bans providing information or tools to negate copy-control features. This includes the Contents Scramble System currently employed by DVD's. Individuals and companies are forbidden to sell DVD-ripping programs and copyright attorneys maintain that people who use the software in the US to break the protection are breaking the law.
While the US Movie industry fights to protect it's rights under copyright law, the vast array of DVD ripping software now offered for sale online and the ease with which consumers can use it, make it a foregone conclusion that Hollywood is fighting a losing battle. Today the copying and conversion of DVD and audio files is totally simple and, in fact, much of the software now offered free online automate the technique. Even the non-geeks can do it!
John Malcolm, antipiracy chief of the Motion Picture Association of America disputes the freedom of use claims made in the case of DVD's being copied by someone who has bought the DVD for their personal use as backup etc. The MPAA plans to stop the piracy of movies before movies go the way of the music industry where piracy is so widespread as to have completely negated the laws of copyright in the US. MPAA was successful in getting a court order to ban 321 Studio's flagship product DVD-X Copy. After a number of unsuccessful court battles, the company went out of business despite the fact that the product was a highly popular and successful program.
Many of the companies distributing DVD ripping software sold at major outlets warn US customers of the illegality of copying DVD's with copyright protection. At the same time, consumers are directed to other sites (many of them offshore) where the necessary software elements to complete ripping copyright protected DVD's. While MPAA continues to promise direct action to stop piracy, the actual ability of the Association to effect this intent in such situations has to be questioned.
About The Author
Tim Moss owns and operates http://www.topdvdripper.com DVD Ripper
Now even if you're not a film professor, I think there's still hope for amateur creators who use excerpts from DVDs in order to create new, noncommercial works for personal use. The DVD ripping/copy software and a proposed DVD-player that stores hundreds of copies of DVDs, was designed for business travelers, consumers with large movie libraries and for families with small children. Discs can easily get scratched or get peanut butter all over them or get misplaced. So, from the RealDVD's case, if the DVD ripping/copying software circumvents anti-copying encryption on DVDs, and it is covered under the Content Scramble System license it acquired from the DVD Copy Control Association, this situation should be changed to allow the public the lawful right to make backup copies of DVDs – even only one copy of DVD to be allowed.
Moyea DVD Ripper is powerful but easy DVD ripping software that can easily rip DVD to AVI, MPEG, DIVX, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, WMA, MOV, MP3, MPG and so on. With just a few simple steps, you can get the videos as you want. It also can help you custom the video you want. You can crop the unwanted black borders, trim the DVD to the just phase and adjust the brightness, contrast and audio volume. The most attractive advantage is that it supports batch conversion, also convert files you selected to only one file. You can convert tons of video files at one time, and there is a setting for closing computer automatically after the conversion. What I like best is that it divides dvd into different chapters, so I can rip my I favorite ones. Why not try this one here:
my-video-converter[dot]com/dvd_ripper
Personal Use DVD Ripping - Legal or Illegal?
Finally, RealNetworks loses its RealDVD case. This March 3th, 2010, U.S. District Judge has issued a permanent injunction that bars RealNetworks from selling RealDVD, the DVD-copying software that Hollywood claimed in the Content Scramble System (CSS) license agreement violated and made illegal permanent copies of copy-protected DVDs. Well, I think that's really bad news for consumers. What that means is that if you want to create a digital back-up of your movies, you have to pay for that a second time on iTunes. So is totally illegal for personal-use DVD ripping/copying?First Look at the People's Comments
- It would be nice if people would become informed about the DMCA and send a clear message to the MPAA and others of what we want to be able to do with our movies and music. No I do not advocate picracy, however It would be nice if I could legally make backup copies of my dvds and music with no fear of a huge lawsuit.
- Who protecting the Customer from poor DVD Quality that scratches after 10 plays. Now Blue Ray DVD'S can be sold for $49.95 each Next their coming after yard sale DVD'S . It little outer limits sounding but true. Action speak louder than words.
- With freedom comes responsibility. If you want the freedom to back up a DVD, then you have the responsibility to make sure you don't share copies with anyone else. Ever. Many people have been irresponsible, and have ruined it for the rest of us. The ruling is correct.
- The main problem is people would for the most part use this to copy rented DVD's I personally think DVD rentals should have their own protection mechanisms different from DVD's that are sold to consumers.
- Those wanting to pirate discs would use a host of elicit ripping programs available for free or cheap on the internet.
Legality Difference Between Different Countries
Legality depends on the country you live in, the laws will be different for every country. I know that in Canada and France you are safe, USA and UK you are not. The Canadian courts have ruled that backup copies for personal use are legal, but you are only allowed to use one copy of the item at a time.- In United States, it is legal for an individual in the United States to make a copy of media he/she owns for his/her own personal use. Fair Use grants you the right to make a backup copy of your media for your own personal use. But in the case where media contents are protected using some effective copy protection scheme, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act makes it illegal to circumvent that copy protection scheme. This law makes it illegal to rip most commercial DVDs as they are typically protected by CSS encryption.
- In United Kingdom, making a private copy of copyrighted media without the copyright owner's consent is illegal as of April 2009: this includes ripping music from a CD to a computer or digital music player. The UK government has made proposals to allow people to make copies of music for personal use.
- In Australia, copies of any legally purchased music may be made by its owner, as long as it is not distributed to others and its use remains personal.
- In Spain and Sweden, anyone is allowed to make a private copy of a copyrighted material for oneself and the source copy does not even have to be legal. Making copies for other people, however, is forbidden if done for profit.
It's Time to Legalize Personal-Use DVD Copying/Ripping
I remember In 2006, film professors applied for DMCA exemptions that would allow them to rip DVDs in order to show film clips in class. Despite opposition from Hollywood and a handful of consumer electronics companies, the exemption was granted. This means that professors and educators are now allowed to rip DVDs for educational purposes, though only under specific conditions (the professor in question must be part of a film or media studies department and the DVD in question must belong to that department's library).Now even if you're not a film professor, I think there's still hope for amateur creators who use excerpts from DVDs in order to create new, noncommercial works for personal use. The DVD ripping/copy software and a proposed DVD-player that stores hundreds of copies of DVDs, was designed for business travelers, consumers with large movie libraries and for families with small children. Discs can easily get scratched or get peanut butter all over them or get misplaced. So, from the RealDVD's case, if the DVD ripping/copying software circumvents anti-copying encryption on DVDs, and it is covered under the Content Scramble System license it acquired from the DVD Copy Control Association, this situation should be changed to allow the public the lawful right to make backup copies of DVDs – even only one copy of DVD to be allowed.
Moyea DVD Ripper is powerful but easy DVD ripping software that can easily rip DVD to AVI, MPEG, DIVX, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, WMA, MOV, MP3, MPG and so on. With just a few simple steps, you can get the videos as you want. It also can help you custom the video you want. You can crop the unwanted black borders, trim the DVD to the just phase and adjust the brightness, contrast and audio volume. The most attractive advantage is that it supports batch conversion, also convert files you selected to only one file. You can convert tons of video files at one time, and there is a setting for closing computer automatically after the conversion. What I like best is that it divides dvd into different chapters, so I can rip my I favorite ones. Why not try this one here:
my-video-converter[dot]com/dvd_ripper
DVD Ripping Flourishes
Hollywood's attempts to stamp out DVD copying are circumvented by the proliferation of DVD-duplication tools.
By Tom Spring, PCWorld Feb 9, 2005 4:00 pm
Illegal DVD-ripping software is flourishing, despite well-publicized wins by DVD piracy foes and laws against copying Hollywood movies.
Although U.S. copyright laws outlaw the sale of software that bypasses DVD copy protection, many companies continue to make the software packages available.
BlazinDVD of Jamaica, New York, is one of a dozen U.S. firms that PC World found on the Internet selling such software. BlazinDVD's offering was called Perfect DVD Copy, and a photo of the software's CD jewel case displayed on the company's Web site claimed the program would "Override All Copy Protection". A week after PC World contacted the company to discuss this statement, Perfect DVD Copy was no longer available. A company spokesperson said BlazinDVD wasn't aware the software violated any laws.
Surplus Computers of Santa Clara, California, and JB Software, based in South Bend, Indiana, both sell a software title called Video Studio 4000 Pro, which is published by an overseas company called Hakku. The software title contains tools for copying DVDs, also known as "ripping."
Owners of both of these companies say they were not aware the software title contained DVD-ripping software. "As far as I know, that software was perfectly fine to sell," says Bobby Hanby, owner of JB Software.
However, the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act bans providing information or tools to evade copy-control technology, including the Contents Scramble System that's used in DVD media. Companies that sell DVD-ripping programs and U.S. users of the software are breaking the law, according to copyright attorneys.
Experts say this thriving software market exists because current DVD copy protection is no longer relevant when it comes to protecting DVDs from being copied. This is because DVD ripping software (as it is called) is so easily purchased online and, in many cases, is available for free on specialty Web sites. However, despite what critics see as a losing battle, Hollywood continues its fight to protect itself from being ripped off.
Critics of DVD copy protection say people have a fair-use right to make personal backup copies of DVDs they buy. The DVD Copy Control Association, which owns the DVD encryption technology CSS, disagrees, arguing that DVD-copying tools accelerate the piracy of Hollywood movies.
CSS is an important deterrent against movies being copied and then swapped online, says John Malcolm, the Motion Picture Association of America's antipiracy chief. The MPAA acknowledges movie swapping is not a big problem today. But the MPAA hopes to nip the problem in the bud before it faces the kind of widespread piracy the music industry is facing.
However, many DVD-copying programs that allow you to duplicate noncommercial DVDs, such as discs with your own home videos on them, are still readily available at retail stores such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and CompUSA. These software titles do not include the decryption software necessary to bypass CSS. However, makers of these copying packages make it simple to bypass U.S. copy restrictions on DVDs, saying it helps international users of its software.
Take the program ICopyDVDs2 Standard from Me Too Software, sold at major computer retailers like Best Buy, CompUSA, and Target. When you attempt to copy a copy-protected DVD, ICopyDVDs2 warns that doing so is illegal and offers a detailed explanation of how non-U.S. customers can use the search engine Google to find and download a program that enables them to use ICopyDVDs2 to copy any CSS-protected DVD.
The firm Bling Software also sells a DVD-copying program, called 123 Copy DVD, that also ships minus actual CSS decryption software. However, visitors to 123 Copy DVD's Web site can find a link there to a second Web site located in Spain. This second link permits you to download a "third-party software plug-in" that allows you to use 123 Copy DVD to copy CSS-protected DVDs. Bling Software operates both Web sites.
The plug-in is "intended for use in countries where DVD decryption is legal," according to Bling's Web site.
The MPAA declined to comment about any specific company. However, when the now-defunct 321 Studios attempted to offer a "ripper-free" version of its software, the MPAA characterized such a move as a transparent ploy that allows users of software to "do indirectly what can't be done directly."
"We will do everything in our power to protect our intellectual property. We will not hesitate to enforce our rights when we see it fit to," Malcolm of the MPAA says.
Despite such lawsuits, however, the results of Hollywood's efforts to stop distribution of DVD-ripping software remain uneven.
Even 321 Studios' DVD X Copy software has found a second life. A version of the program continues to be sold online by a Central American firm called DVD X Copy International, which is based in Belize, where the company is not directly subject to U.S. laws. Still other DVD copying software is available free on the Net, much to the chagrin of the MPAA. For example, Afonic DVD Guides, based in Greece, is dedicated to DVD burning.
"We are aware of the existence of companies out there selling DVD copying software," said a spokesman for the DVD Copy Control Association. "We monitor what's going on, and will protect our intellectual property when appropriate."
The MPAA has filed many lawsuits in the past year, not only against firms selling DVD-copying software, but also against hundreds of individual users for allegedly trading movies illegally over peer-to-peer networks. In October 2004, Hollywood feature films accounted for 2 percent of files available on peer-to-peer file sharing networks, according to researchers at BigChampagne, which provides information about popular online entertainment.
The MPAA doesn't accept the argument that CSS is no longer a valid lock. It maintains that the technology is an adequate deterrent that prevents average computer users from copying DVDs.
It is consumers who stand to lose the most in Hollywood's battle to protect DVDs from being copied, says Art Brodsky, communications director of Public Knowledge, a consumer-interest group that opposes the Digital Millenniun Copyright Act. "People have to have fair-use rights in a free market," he says, maintaining that Hollywood is overstepping its bounds by banning DVD copying.
The EFF's Seltzer says, "Hollywood will continue to thrive by providing consumers a great product at a fair price. Not by crippling technology."
Brodsky argues that there are many honest people who want to copy DVDs onto laptops to avoid carrying a disc while they travel, and those who want to make backup copies of DVDs in case the originals are damaged.
The MPAA doesn't buy that argument. DVDs, created with proprietary CSS technology, were never designed to allow people to make copies, the organization argues. For Hollywood, DVD copying is just part of the problem. The MPAA has identified a number of different consumer electronic devices, like digital video recorders, that it sees as threats to its livelihood.
Still, firms such as ADS Tech continue to sell products that can be used to copy DVDs. ADS Tech makes a hardware device called DVDXpress, which is intended to help people make DVD backups of VHS tapes. But the product also allows you to make reduced quality copies of DVDs.
"I prefer to see the glass as half full," says the MPAA's Malcolm, referring to the battle to stop DVD copying. "I'm skeptical of any silver bullet, but we can always make things harder for the bad guys."
Although U.S. copyright laws outlaw the sale of software that bypasses DVD copy protection, many companies continue to make the software packages available.
BlazinDVD of Jamaica, New York, is one of a dozen U.S. firms that PC World found on the Internet selling such software. BlazinDVD's offering was called Perfect DVD Copy, and a photo of the software's CD jewel case displayed on the company's Web site claimed the program would "Override All Copy Protection". A week after PC World contacted the company to discuss this statement, Perfect DVD Copy was no longer available. A company spokesperson said BlazinDVD wasn't aware the software violated any laws.
Surplus Computers of Santa Clara, California, and JB Software, based in South Bend, Indiana, both sell a software title called Video Studio 4000 Pro, which is published by an overseas company called Hakku. The software title contains tools for copying DVDs, also known as "ripping."
Owners of both of these companies say they were not aware the software title contained DVD-ripping software. "As far as I know, that software was perfectly fine to sell," says Bobby Hanby, owner of JB Software.
However, the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act bans providing information or tools to evade copy-control technology, including the Contents Scramble System that's used in DVD media. Companies that sell DVD-ripping programs and U.S. users of the software are breaking the law, according to copyright attorneys.
Experts say this thriving software market exists because current DVD copy protection is no longer relevant when it comes to protecting DVDs from being copied. This is because DVD ripping software (as it is called) is so easily purchased online and, in many cases, is available for free on specialty Web sites. However, despite what critics see as a losing battle, Hollywood continues its fight to protect itself from being ripped off.
Easy Does It
These consumer-friendly DVD copying programs and today's average PC, with its massive storage and powerful microprocessors, together make copying DVDs simple. Many free DVD-copying programs even automate the ripping process, making it easy for even non-technical users.Critics of DVD copy protection say people have a fair-use right to make personal backup copies of DVDs they buy. The DVD Copy Control Association, which owns the DVD encryption technology CSS, disagrees, arguing that DVD-copying tools accelerate the piracy of Hollywood movies.
CSS is an important deterrent against movies being copied and then swapped online, says John Malcolm, the Motion Picture Association of America's antipiracy chief. The MPAA acknowledges movie swapping is not a big problem today. But the MPAA hopes to nip the problem in the bud before it faces the kind of widespread piracy the music industry is facing.
Copy Software All Around
In August of last year, 321 Studios, one of the first companies to offer DVD copying software, folded when the movie studios represented by the MPAA successfully convinced a judge to ban the company from selling its flagship product, DVD X Copy. After a series of lost court battles, the company went out of business. DVD X Copy was one of the most popular programs available that allowed users to copy Hollywood DVDs despite antipiracy protection designed to prevent duplication.However, many DVD-copying programs that allow you to duplicate noncommercial DVDs, such as discs with your own home videos on them, are still readily available at retail stores such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and CompUSA. These software titles do not include the decryption software necessary to bypass CSS. However, makers of these copying packages make it simple to bypass U.S. copy restrictions on DVDs, saying it helps international users of its software.
Take the program ICopyDVDs2 Standard from Me Too Software, sold at major computer retailers like Best Buy, CompUSA, and Target. When you attempt to copy a copy-protected DVD, ICopyDVDs2 warns that doing so is illegal and offers a detailed explanation of how non-U.S. customers can use the search engine Google to find and download a program that enables them to use ICopyDVDs2 to copy any CSS-protected DVD.
The firm Bling Software also sells a DVD-copying program, called 123 Copy DVD, that also ships minus actual CSS decryption software. However, visitors to 123 Copy DVD's Web site can find a link there to a second Web site located in Spain. This second link permits you to download a "third-party software plug-in" that allows you to use 123 Copy DVD to copy CSS-protected DVDs. Bling Software operates both Web sites.
The plug-in is "intended for use in countries where DVD decryption is legal," according to Bling's Web site.
The MPAA declined to comment about any specific company. However, when the now-defunct 321 Studios attempted to offer a "ripper-free" version of its software, the MPAA characterized such a move as a transparent ploy that allows users of software to "do indirectly what can't be done directly."
"We will do everything in our power to protect our intellectual property. We will not hesitate to enforce our rights when we see it fit to," Malcolm of the MPAA says.
Legal Background
The 321 Studios court case is just the most high profile of many lawsuits against firms selling and distributing DVD-copying software. Other cases include that of Tritton Technologies, which once distributed the program DVD CopyWare, and Kaleidescape. That company sells an ultra-expensive DVD library and video server system that copies DVDs to a hard disk and streams them throughout a house. In December, movie studios represented by the MPAA filed suit against Kaleidescape, claiming its ability to copy DVDs to a hard drive breaks copyright laws.Despite such lawsuits, however, the results of Hollywood's efforts to stop distribution of DVD-ripping software remain uneven.
Even 321 Studios' DVD X Copy software has found a second life. A version of the program continues to be sold online by a Central American firm called DVD X Copy International, which is based in Belize, where the company is not directly subject to U.S. laws. Still other DVD copying software is available free on the Net, much to the chagrin of the MPAA. For example, Afonic DVD Guides, based in Greece, is dedicated to DVD burning.
"We are aware of the existence of companies out there selling DVD copying software," said a spokesman for the DVD Copy Control Association. "We monitor what's going on, and will protect our intellectual property when appropriate."
Hollywood Losing the Battle?
In the copyright war, Hollywood is losing, says Wendy Seltzer, staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an Internet civil liberties organization. The EFF says encrypting DVDs is waste of time given how bad the locks are. The EFF is supported in this view by Bruce Schneier, an expert on encryption technology, who says, "Hollywood is dreaming if they still think CSS is a piracy deterrent."The MPAA has filed many lawsuits in the past year, not only against firms selling DVD-copying software, but also against hundreds of individual users for allegedly trading movies illegally over peer-to-peer networks. In October 2004, Hollywood feature films accounted for 2 percent of files available on peer-to-peer file sharing networks, according to researchers at BigChampagne, which provides information about popular online entertainment.
The MPAA doesn't accept the argument that CSS is no longer a valid lock. It maintains that the technology is an adequate deterrent that prevents average computer users from copying DVDs.
Relentless Fight
On almost a weekly basis, the MPAA pinpoints a Web site selling or giving away free DVD copying tools, says the MPAA's Malcolm. "It's a tough fight, but the battle is ongoing," he says.It is consumers who stand to lose the most in Hollywood's battle to protect DVDs from being copied, says Art Brodsky, communications director of Public Knowledge, a consumer-interest group that opposes the Digital Millenniun Copyright Act. "People have to have fair-use rights in a free market," he says, maintaining that Hollywood is overstepping its bounds by banning DVD copying.
The EFF's Seltzer says, "Hollywood will continue to thrive by providing consumers a great product at a fair price. Not by crippling technology."
One Million DVD Lawbreakers
Meanwhile, consumers are left to navigate the legal and ethical implications of copying DVDs. Over one million copies of 321 Studio's DVD X Copy were sold before the company was shuttered, according to the company. The MPAA says consumers who use the software are breaking the law.Brodsky argues that there are many honest people who want to copy DVDs onto laptops to avoid carrying a disc while they travel, and those who want to make backup copies of DVDs in case the originals are damaged.
The MPAA doesn't buy that argument. DVDs, created with proprietary CSS technology, were never designed to allow people to make copies, the organization argues. For Hollywood, DVD copying is just part of the problem. The MPAA has identified a number of different consumer electronic devices, like digital video recorders, that it sees as threats to its livelihood.
Still, firms such as ADS Tech continue to sell products that can be used to copy DVDs. ADS Tech makes a hardware device called DVDXpress, which is intended to help people make DVD backups of VHS tapes. But the product also allows you to make reduced quality copies of DVDs.
"I prefer to see the glass as half full," says the MPAA's Malcolm, referring to the battle to stop DVD copying. "I'm skeptical of any silver bullet, but we can always make things harder for the bad guys."
