Is Microsoft Cracking Down on DVD Ripping?

[Rasputin]

Is Microsoft trying to thwart DVD-ripping on PCs using Windows Vista with the new beta of Vista Service Pack 1?

As I tested the public beta release of Vista SP1, I noticed the update crippled a popular DVD cracking program called DVD43.

DVD43 is a free utility that disables a DVD's Content Scramble System (CSS) copy protection technology. Once a DVD's copy protection is disabled, you can copy its content using one of several third-party programs. You may be using DVD43 and not realize it, because it often is the engine of other ripping programs.

When I updated my Windows Vista operating system with the beta of Vista SP1, DVD43 wouldn't load. Instead, I saw an error message about a missing driver--even after I uninstalled and then reinstalled DVD43. A colleague of mine had a similar experience on a PC that also had been updated with the latest beta release of Vista SP1.

Stripping DVD copy protection (CSS) from a DVD is illegal but many people do it.

I've made formal requests for comment from Microsoft and the company behind DVD43. So far, I've heard nothing back. I'll let you know what either say, if and when they reply.

Intentional?

It's hard to say whether Microsoft is intentionally disabling DVD43. Certainly the software giant doesn't mention anything about DVD copying in its documentation for the beta of Vista SP1. But given Microsoft's interest in making friendly with Hollywood movie studios, it wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft intentionally disabled a popular and free tool that aids in ripping DVDs.

DVD43--and programs like it--have long been a thorn in the side for Hollywood, as DVD-ripping is one of the first steps in cracking and distributing copyright-protected movies online.

Despite the Motion Picture Association of America's efforts to crack down on DVD-ripping and despite U.S. copyright laws that make it illegal, sales of software that bypass DVD copy protection continue online and at retail stores.

Many of these DVD programs have been, and still are, sold by major retailers. However, when purchased, some of the programs can't copy DVDs equipped with copy protection. You must use an Internet search engine to find and download a program, such as DVD43, that empowers your DVD copy program to duplicate the contents of any CSS-protected DVD.

It's my experience in reporting past stories on DVD-ripping that many DVD-ripping programs recommend DVD43 to their customers. DVD43.com, a Web site that lists download sites for DVD43 as well as the DVD-ripping packages it works with, is owned by a company based in Beijing, China, according to Internet domain registration records.

In further tests, I did find that at least one other popular DVD utility, AnyDVD, which promises to "unprotect encrypted movie DVDs," did work with the beta of Vista SP1 installed--as its product description asserts. However, this is not free software: It will cost you 49 Euros, or about $72.

At least for now, it appears that casual DVD rippers will be stymied if they choose to update their Vista PCs with the Vista SP1 beta--and that those who want SP1 and copies of their Hollywood DVDs will have to pay up to keep ripping.

[Rasputin]

Microsoft is too big to and responsable to let people rip movies. If greedy people didn't go to websites to take others work we would not be in this mess so blame yourself. I rip my own cd's and movies are fine on dvd. Who cares? So you want to put movies on your i pod? get a real hobby. Music is plenty and you take that too. I know the music studios don't pay the bands but they do pay contracts to give them opportunity. I like that microsoft puts limits on their software. It probably increases the price of their software like vista and office though. I bought office home and student 2007 and it was 130 dollars. That used to come on computers. I do wish my laptop came with a copy of vista on cd. I had to buy DVD's to burn them. Have you seen those cd's High tech holograms and that little dot of rubber on them. What is that thing? If people were honest we wouldn't need locks and I could get a windows cd with my computer too. Thanks thieves you know who you are...

[Rasputin]

Not letting people rip their own DVDs is only hurting the legitimate customers! Those who downloaded the movie have no problem burning it to a DVD. This is only a nuisance for those with a bought copy! Also, copyprotection often means that Linux-users will not be able to play DVDs on their computer. It also means you can't back-up your children's favourite DVD, which soon gets covered in scratches and peanut butter. And why shouldn't people be able to view their movies on an ipod, or their mobile phone? By making it difficult to do, you only increase the chance of someone downloading a pirated copy. Good luck fitting Vista on a CD, by the way.

[Rasputin]

Maybe they could have avoided this whole fiasco from the very beginning by making DVD movies and music CDs more reasonably priced. I think $5 for a music CD and $10 for a DVD movie is reasonable so that more people could have afforded them. There would be no need for ripping software. Musicians really don't make much at all from CD sales. I am not sure how much movie studios make off DVD sales but it can't be that much.

I personally would rather have an original and not a copy basically because the quality is not quite as good on a copy. I have quit buying music CDs (I have not bought one in more than 5 years) and I wait until DVD movies are in the $5 - $7.50 range unless it is something I just have to have, which is not very likely.

just my 2 cents...