Can dd copy videogame dvds with copy protection software

Alpha90 · 04-21-2015, 10:09 PM

I am looking to back up a collection of video games and many of the games unfortunately have drm like securom. I know that dd works at a lower level than most disk cloning software so if i used dd to copy the dvd into one iso file would copy protection software detect that and scramble the content of the iso?

veerain · 04-21-2015, 11:10 PM

It won't work with just plain 'dd'.

Try using 'readcd' with clone option and for test write with 'cdrecord' with clone option on a cd/dvd disc.

Alpha90 · 04-22-2015, 12:28 AM

If I use readcd and other parts of the cdrecord suite could the copy protection somehow invalidate the original cd?

veerain · 04-22-2015, 12:44 AM

No it won't alter your original cd/dvd disc.

Though may be legally it is not allowed.

John VV · 04-22-2015, 01:59 PM

right now it is more of a

I have to BREAK the law to do something that IS lawful

veerain · 04-22-2015, 02:08 PM

One should have pitched for amendment of law a lot early. Amendments are neccessity as nothing is set in stone.

TobiSGD · 04-22-2015, 02:17 PM

If dd can be used to make backups of copy protected discs is highly dependent on the copy protection in use. You mentioned Securom, which uses data position measurement to determine if a medium is legit, which means that you can copy it just fine, but if you try to run the software it will detect that it is a copy and refuse to work. You will have to study how the copy protection works for every medium you want to backup to determine if a copy with dd will work for you.

veerain · 04-22-2015, 02:21 PM

There are cracking softwares available to break these things. It may be illegal to use them in some use cases and places.

jefro · 04-22-2015, 02:49 PM

Are there no web sites that tell how to do this?

No, dd will not allow you to copy it.

As to the legal aspect, I can't say. On one hand you may have fair use. On the other you may not have right to reverse copy protections.

TobiSGD · 04-22-2015, 03:06 PM

Just to clarify, before we get more reports about this thread. We had an internal discussion and concluded that we are fine with this thread, since the OP clearly states that it is for backup purposes.

metaschima · 04-22-2015, 03:21 PM

For PS1 CDs you may need to use 'cdrdao' to back them up properly.