| U.S. copyright laws forbid the sale of software that | | | | John Malcolm, antipiracy chief of the Motion Picture |
| bypasses DVD copy protection. Despite this there are | | | | Association of America disputes the freedom of use |
| hundreds of the software packages available online | | | | claims made in the case of DVD's being copied by |
| that have that capability. | | | | someone who has bought the DVD for their personal |
| In recent cases brought under the existing law the | | | | use as backup etc. The MPAA plans to stop the |
| claim was made that the vendors were unaware of | | | | piracy of movies before movies go the way of the |
| the capability of the software they offered for sale. | | | | music industry where piracy is so widespread as to |
| Specifically, the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act | | | | have completely negated the laws of copyright in the |
| bans providing information or tools to negate | | | | US. MPAA was successful in getting a court order to |
| copy-control features. This includes the Contents | | | | ban 321 Studio's flagship product DVD-X Copy. After |
| Scramble System currently employed by DVD's. | | | | a number of unsuccessful court battles, the company |
| Individuals and companies are forbidden to sell | | | | went out of business despite the fact that the product |
| DVD-ripping programs and copyright attorneys | | | | was a highly popular and successful program. |
| maintain that people who use the software in the US | | | | Many of the companies distributing DVD ripping |
| to break the protection are breaking the law. | | | | software sold at major outlets warn US customers of |
| While the US Movie industry fights to protect it's rights | | | | the illegality of copying DVD's with copyright protection. |
| under copyright law, the vast array of DVD ripping | | | | At the same time, consumers are directed to other |
| software now offered for sale online and the ease | | | | sites (many of them offshore) where the necessary |
| with which consumers can use it, make it a foregone | | | | software elements to complete ripping copyright |
| conclusion that Hollywood is fighting a losing battle. | | | | protected DVD's. While MPAA continues to promise |
| Today the copying and conversion of DVD and audio | | | | direct action to stop piracy, the actual ability of the |
| files is totally simple and, in fact, much of the software | | | | Association to effect this intent in such situations has |
| now offered free online automate the technique. Even | | | | to be questioned. |
| the non-geeks can do it! | | | | |