Best 100% FREE DVD-ripping software?

[Realm of Horror Comics]

Nothing illegal going on -- I just want to back up some important DVDs of mine.

Can anyone recommend some of the best *TOTALLY FREE* DVD-ripping software? And where I can obtain/download it?

Many thanks...

[Freesteyelz]

Originally Posted by Realm of Horror Comics

I just want to back up some important DVDs of mine.

What type of DVDs are you referring to?

*Your answer will determine whether or not it is legal.


Some examples:
Commercial movie DVDs (e.g., Spiderman, Transformers, Star Wars) = Illegal
Homemade DVDs (that you own the copyright to) = Legal
Software DVDs = It depends on the TOS

[bigcurt]

I was always told that it was perfectly legal to backup a DVD ( commercial or not ) for your personal collection as long as you own the original DVD. That is what I was always told at least though. Fair user laws?

--------------- Added [DATE]1193622950[/DATE] at [TIME]1193622950[/TIME] ---------------

Just looked it up to make sure - I am right :P. Just as long as the copy is strictly for you and you have the original copy you MAY make a copy of it according to Fair Use Laws and the Home Recording Act ov 1992. How long will that stay in place? Who knows with the way things are going now.

[Chris M]

If I pay for a DVD and want to copy it to take with me to work or to my mate's house etc instead of scratching my original, I will do that whether the law regards it as legal or not

Chris

[Brad]

It's illegal to copy commercial movies (in the US at least) because they use CSS encryption. By-passing this type of DRM became illegal when the DMCA came into effect.

So what does all of that mean?

1) It's illegal to break/by-pass the encryption on the DVD if you live in the US (and probably other places in the world as well).
2) It's illegal to distribute a device/tool/software that allows you to by-pass such encryption in the US.
3) You can probably find what you need by spending 2 minutes searching at google.com

[Reeve of shinra]

There are a few exceptions in the DMCA which basically allow backups to be made for personal use although its well hidden.

Reverse engineering (section 1201(f)). This exception permits
circumvention, and the development of technological means for such
circumvention, by a person who has lawfully obtained a right to use a
copy of a computer program for the sole purpose of identifying and
analyzing elements of the program necessary to achieve interoperability
with other programs, to the extent that such acts are permitted under
copyright law.

[Freesteyelz]

Originally Posted by Brad

3) You can probably find what you need by spending 2 minutes searching at google.com

Or you could do it the harder and longer way at law school. LOL.

While I was over at vB.com arguing the point, Brad is doing it over here. :up:

Click here for the vB.com thread.



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Edited for the following:

--------------- Added 28 Oct 2007 at 17:37 ---------------

Originally Posted by bigcurt

I was always told that it was perfectly legal to backup a DVD ( commercial or not ) for your personal collection as long as you own the original DVD. That is what I was always told at least though. Fair user laws?

--------------- Added 28 Oct 2007 at 15:55 ---------------

Just looked it up to make sure - I am right :P. Just as long as the copy is strictly for you and you have the original copy you MAY make a copy of it according to Fair Use Laws and the Home Recording Act ov 1992. How long will that stay in place? Who knows with the way things are going now.

Sorry but you're wrong. What you're citing is backing up digital audio.

[bigcurt]

Originally Posted by Freesteyelz

Or you could do it the harder and longer way at law school. LOL.

While I was over at vB.com arguing the point, Brad is doing it over here. :up:

Click here for the vB.com thread.



----------------

Edited for the following:

--------------- Added 28 Oct 2007 at 17:37 ---------------




Sorry but you're wrong. What you're citing is backing up digital audio.

You are correct, but I sort of added that just for effect ( due to the constant bickering of people who backup music CDs' as well. ) Does that change the fair-use policy? I know of no public cases of someone being prosecuted for backing up a DVD commercial or not if it strictly for backup purposes. Most anything like that would be fairly big news with the sites I circle the most.

[Freesteyelz]

Originally Posted by bigcurt

Does that change the fair-use policy?

No because of the DMCA.

[Adrian Schneider]

Legalities aside (that's not the point of this thread...) I use DVD Shrink, or just something that images the entire disc. Depending on the content, you might need something like AnyDVD (trial available) to remove the protection.

Do you plan on burning them dual layer discs, or standard 4.7GB discs?