Making a player or aquiring the licence to the CSS encryption is one the, but I doubt that it could be put in the open-scorce community without someone screaming. Microsoft had windvd in windows because they can afford the licence, adding it to a player would probibly force the developer to charge for the player then.
I'd have to say the best way to get a legal port to linux would be a company that already has a player out there (i.e. Interactive). It maybe a long shot but having a legal CSS decrypter would be better.

As for the DMCA. It says "fair use" the problem with it is same with just about any legal document its written in a way that has many different interpertations. So any ruling on it by a judge or jury that dont have any common sence or knowlege of technology with screw over everyone.

Nick

y bother?, I'm with mikshaw.. some stupid rules/laws never stopped me from doing what i want (it only makes it harder)

who cares about some stuff "legal" css decrypt?, as far as I'm concerned, y not use illegal decrypts and re burn them and put the images on line (irc, kazaa, etc), so people can use "legal" movies (well, its legal if all your concerned with is the css thingy ),..

or i guess theres always the possibility that the DVD makers of the movies might not encrypt them.. (probably as much of a chance as the American recording industry has of not being total assholes)

I didn't mean to imply that I condone spreading media online. There are lines that should be drawn regardless of laws...this is where common sense should come into play. Decrypting a DVD and posting it to the public is going beyond that line. Giving something to a friend who'd never have bought it is much different than uploading that DVD for Joe Whoever to download just so he can save a few bucks. It can actually help sales in some cases. For example, I've bought at least a couple hundred CDs in my lifetime. Most of these artists are people I'd never heard of before receiving a copy of their albums from a friend or family member...what I liked I bought, and continued to support the artist afterward.

But this thread is about personal viewing of DVDs which are assumed to be legally purchased, so I'll stop with the piracy talk. On topic, I'll just add that encypting media serves no purpose. It doesn't stop the criminal activity which it is supposedly put in place to stop, and only serves to make it more difficult for those who legally own a copy to view the media.

Technically, even sharing those "backup copies" is illegal. I generally don't do it. On the other hand, recording stuff off the TV and keeping it is technically also illegal, but that strikes me as going too far with the law.

Gah...more stupid things from copyright holders.. why can't they just be reasonable and lighten up a bit?!?!

OK, rewrite the US constitution!, the laws these days are almost always "help the rich guy out" only , they are unfair, biased, and completely stupid in some cases (look at what happened to the worst serial killer in US history!!!!!, for crying out loud!, they killed mcvey cause he bombed a US building, and they put a guy in jail for life for killing more then 50 people (OK, so he confessed to 47, but he also says he killed more then that), whole they go ahead and kill someone who only killed 1 person!,) HOW UNFAIR!,,, the legal system these days is all about how to get the most money, and punish others that don't help them!, while looking the other way for those that do help!,

which is why i say yes to making and redistributing copies of unencrypted DVD's, (now if only i have a DVD burner and the computer resources to do that!)

Defy them, write a petition, and well, tell the law how narrow minded, steotypical and cliched they are, like the rest of the idiots who narrow mindedly, ignorantly, and retardedly thought that open office was pirated software.

absolutely true. "Our faith should always be in the right things." wise men didn't say "in the law" cause law isn't always right. fight the laws that aren't right

This has got me thinking...in France encryption is illegal. I wonder if that stretches as far as DVDs? Shouldn't it be illegal for a DVD to be encrypted in France? I don't know...I don't even know English law, let alone French but it made me think.

I will agree with those of you that believe that the recent laws (i.e. DMCA) is a complete pile of crap designed to give corprate interest and money higher prioraty over the public's fair use and personal rights.

Putting a DVD out on the internet is wrong but depends on if your going to just watch it, see if its any good then delete it I cant see much harm. Same as backing up a movie, we all know how easily damaged DVDs can get.

The movie indestry's narrow view is becoming that like Microsoft. Press you into taking the product and if you do anything beyond their perscribed instructions your breaking the law.

If any of you are serious about a patition have on to remove the DMCA. Reade part 1202 about it and you'll find why Clintion had to be smoking weed to sign that in.

Nick