Legality

[TyMac]

Is it leagal to rip your own DVD's to your HD in America? (USA)

[ReferenceDivx]

I imagine it is legal to rip your own dvd to your hard drive if it does not include encryption. However, since most dvds have encryption it is illegal to circumvent this encryption and transferring it to your hard drive.

[wmansir]

Since the DMCA is being tested in court, this is still up in the air.

The DMCA makes it illegal to bypass or crack any encryption, which includes most DVDs (encypted with CSS).

However, it is legal to make copies of software and music for backup or for limited personal use (for example you can copy a cd to take in your car).

I haven't checked up on the DeCSS/2600 case recently, but last I knew they were on their way to the US supreme court based, in part, on this issues.

[TyMac]

Originally posted by wmansir
Since the DMCA is being tested in court, this is still up in the air.

The DMCA makes it illegal to bypass or crack any encryption, which includes most DVDs (encypted with CSS).

However, it is legal to make copies of software and music for backup or for limited personal use (for example you can copy a cd to take in your car).

I haven't checked up on the DeCSS/2600 case recently, but last I knew they were on their way to the US supreme court based, in part, on this issues.

Thanks... that takes alot of my mind (sort of). You (or anybody) would not have and proof or documentation on the court trials by chance? Thanks!

[trbarry]

I can't give an exact reference but in her excellent book "Digital Copyright" law professor Jessica Litman discusses the exceptions to the DMCA that exist for the purpose of computer interoperability.

IIRC her opinion is that it is still legal if you do it yourself for that purpose only on your own machine and don't violate any other copyright laws.

- Tom

[wmansir]

just go to www.2600.com and click on 'Lawsuit' in the top menu. They post tons of documents, transcripts, and depositions.