DVD Copyware, new DVD backup software could be challenging MPAA

August 25, 2003

Long time CD Freaks readers will know that DVD copying software that breaks the DVD copy protection (CSS) is controversial, currently mainly in the United States. Currently only DVDxCopy, developed by the US based 321 Studios breaks the protection and copies the DVD, but now another company will release software on the market that is able to do this.

The company Tritton will start distribution of DVD
Copyware, software that also breaks the DVD copy protection and is able to make
a DVD backup in a few clicks. Currently there is more software available for DVD
copying, but they all require additional software to break the DVD protection
(AnyDVD, DVDDecrypter, DVD Region Free ), this to prevent them from being sued. 321 Studios is currently already in a legal battle with the movies studios and Tritton has said it will also go to court when needed.

Von Huben said Tritton is willing to fight lawsuits against Hollywood studios if necessary but that his company's role is that of distributor, not a creator. CompUSA has not been sued for distributing 321 Studios' software, he noted.

However, federal judges previously ruled against Corley and 2600 for distribution of the DeCSS software, not for creating it. A controversial federal copyright law makes it illegal to create or distribute any software that circumvents digital copy-protection mechanisms.

"If you're distributing in the United States, you're not shielded by the fact that the software is made somewhere else," said Rusty Weiss, an intellectual property attorney with Morrison & Foerster in Los Angeles.

More information about the software can be found on the Tritton website. More information about the legal matters can be found on News.com. Discuss legal matters in our LivingRoom .

Source: News.com