Is it legal to copy dvd for personal use, and how?

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

Hi,

I'm wondering if it's legal for me to copy a DVD to the computer, which we rented, and payed for, and would like to watch again, probably sometime soon (without having to re-rent it again and again!). It would only be for personal use, so no distributing or anything.
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If it is legal, how can I copy a dvd to the computer, and just play it like a normal dvd (just choose play, and then watch the film!)?

El

12quidkidinnit · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:03 pm Post subject:

Possibly not. In certain countries, it's legal to copy DVDs and CDs which you have bought, for backup purposes. Renting them and then making a copy might be questionable to say the least.

For DVDs you have purchased and still own, and subject to it being legal in the country where you are, DVD Decrypter is the one that comes to mind. There's a forum called Videohelp.com where you'd get more information on what people are using nowadays.

Most commercial DVDs have copy protection on them, however, once they've been "ripped", ie decoded or whatever they call it, and the copy protection removed, and if your computer has the codecs required to play DVDs, it should play DVD films straight from the hard drive. When I'm editing video clips I use the editing software to burn the DVD files straight to the hard drive anyway, and they do play just like they would if they were on an actual DVD. If it looks ok, I burn it to a DVD and watch it on a TV to check the quality.

el · Joined: Nov 14, 2006 Posts: 255

Thanks for that information. I'm interested about the legality of copying the DVD to the computer in Germany and England.
I'll have a look at DVD Decrypter, and check elsewhere too, whether it's legal to use it.

El

User: inactive Posts:

In the USA, you can make a backup copy, if you have the proper software, for your own use only.
BUT, Don't sell it and don't give it away.

There are many (dozens) of countries is this world where there are NO laws governing this at all.

I heard a quote from one man in Serbia, for instance, who said,
"We don't buy software!!!!"

I think that about explains it. OK?

If you're just making a backup of something you've purchased, for your own use, don't ask, don't tell. Wink

Just make your backup and keep your mouth shut! Twisted Evil

Nero, the prime CD burning program will also copy most DVD movies. For those it can't copy there's a g'zillion programs that will.

I'm not a big buyer or watcher of DVD's but every one I've ever acquired, I've been able to back up with Nero. (Legally)

Cheers,
Shadow Cool

goretsky

Hello,

It is not legal to make archival (backup) copies of DVDs encrypted with CSS in the United States, even for personal use. The DMCA specifically took the long-held right to do this away from Americans when it was enacted. There are some people who state that the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992 could be construed to covering DVDs with respect to "home use" copying. If the Fair Use Act of 2007 passes, this may change in the U.S., however, for the time this should be considered the answer to that particular question in this forum.

Any specific discussion of circumvention technologies will be dealt with in the forum just as any other Terms of Service abuse.

This message thread is now closed.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky