Playing a CSS (Content scrambling System) DVD in linux or any other "free" software is illegal...in the USA.

WTF?!?!?!

Due to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act it is illegal to play a restricted format or install free codecs to play such formats.

Ubuntu still has a guide for installing the packages (they are worldwide though), but the topic comes up when you hear about Dell's version of Gusty Gibbon

iTWire - Since when is Dell Gutsy Gibbon not Ubuntu?

They installed proprietary software into linux, thus making the software pack, not so free.

Why can't we watch a fricken DVD unless we pay a software company to play it for us. arghhh this just gets to me sometimes. You can't push a free OS if its illegal to use (certain features), because its free.

The "logic" behind that is actually quite simple (Not that I agree with it).

The DMCA makes it illegal to decrypt copyrighted content, such as a DVD, unless you have permission of the copyright holder. In the case of a DVD you get that permission by purchasing a DVD player (hardware or software) because the manufacturer/publisher has paid a licensing fee to someone (not sure who) to be allowed to decrypt the content.

In the case of a free DVD player (hardware or software) that is made by someone who did not pay for that license, and is therefore decrypting the content without permission, it would be illegal.

That said, I don't think anyone is going to hunt down Linux users and haul them off to jail.... unless the RIAA get's involved.

Do you think the RIAA would offer a reward if I turned Linux users in?

All I can really say is i'm not surprised as technically, they have all the right in the world to nuke your hardware if they feel you're doing bad things..

Quote: Originally Posted by Sk8forMaple All I can really say is i'm not surprised as technically, they have all the right in the world to nuke your hardware if they feel you're doing bad things..

Uhhh, I don't think they have a 'right'. The RIAA/et al. might perceive they have a right, but they really do not have a right, they may or may not, depending on if you challenge them via the DMCA, as it is the DMCA not the RIAA that governs this type of thing. The RIAA can claim that you are in violation of their IP, but the RIAA themselves can't do much except some legal maneuvering, they need the help of law enforcement which they have been getting recently.

Luckily I live in Canada, and the RCMP have already given the statement that they don't give a rat's behind about that kind of stuff unless it's for profit, because they have better uses of resources

Lol.







...........

True, however the functionality is there for them to do this. Cyberlink's power DVD or Windvd I can't remember which, already has the ability to do this.

I get the fact that they paid a fee, but why do you have to pay for copyright infringment protection, when you don't plan on breaking copyrights, and would prefer for it not to be there.

If indeed the world wants anything to stay free (the internet), stupid things like these (IMO) should be irraticated.

Just because you don't want somebody to copy something, doesn't mean they should limit the persons who want to watch the movie.

All this does, is make me want to decrypt there movies more, what a great job multimedia production companies, you actually turn off the consumers that have half a brain (no offense to those who don't use linux and have an issue playing there movies)

Quote: Originally Posted by Wordbiker Do you think the RIAA would offer a reward if I turned Linux users in?

You do realize I can find out where you live and gouge your eyes out with the end of my ape hangers off my Stingray.

J-Dogg, I don't think your Stingray can climb that high.

It doesn't surprise me at all that the unlicensed player thing was included in the DMCA. That act cost lobbyists for the RIAA huge dollars to pass. They had to pay off a lot of politicians. They were looking for long term returns.

that's why major distros stopped shipping with libdecss.what gets me is that if i buy a dvd drive it comes with player software for windows.so i just got in the habit of using packman for a suse source and stopped worrying about it
on a side note,dvd decrypter and other copy software use decss to make unencrypted backups.

Quote: Originally Posted by j-dogg You do realize I can find out where you live and gouge your eyes out with the end of my ape hangers off my Stingray.

Sheesh...learn to take a joke woodja? I was just kidding...






I'd turn them in for free.

Quote: Originally Posted by boardboyd Uhhh, I don't think they have a 'right'. The RIAA/et al. might perceive they have a right, but they really do not have a right, they may or may not, depending on if you challenge them via the DMCA, as it is the DMCA not the RIAA that governs this type of thing. The RIAA can claim that you are in violation of their IP, but the RIAA themselves can't do much except some legal maneuvering, they need the help of law enforcement which they have been getting recently. Luckily I live in Canada, and the RCMP have already given the statement that they don't give a rat's behind about that kind of stuff unless it's for profit, because they have better uses of resources

amen! to canada

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita J-Dogg, I don't think your Stingray can climb that high. It doesn't surprise me at all that the unlicensed player thing was included in the DMCA. That act cost lobbyists for the RIAA huge dollars to pass. They had to pay off a lot of politicians. They were looking for long term returns.

well i see it this way , it's not the money that they're loosing but more money that could been made by doing what they are doing right now.

so they dont loose money they just want to make more of it that's all