Perhaps there is no issue that is more controversial and confusing as the issue of copying DVD's. Simply because downloading or sharing movies is such a commonplace thing does not make the issue any clearer, in fact all it really does is cloud the issue just that much more. As difficult as it may seem to understand the question as to Is It Legal? is a very simple one. No, it is not legal according to copyright laws.
The reason why this issue is so difficult to understand is the apparent conflictions regarding DVD's and DVD copying software. While DVD manufactures go to great lengths to employ anti duplication software onto movie discs, DVD copying software has many ingenious ways of getting around the CSS ( content scrambling system) copy protection tool that most disc manufactures use.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act clearly states that is prohibitively illegal to fool around with the CSS protection tool. So on one side you have the DVD manufactures that try to protect their products from copying and you have the software developers that easily employ programs, even freeware that makes duplicating a DVD as easy as pie. It is no mystery why people wonder if It Is Legal?
While you may think that duplication your DVD's for you own private use is perfectly legal, and if you ever asked the question, Is It Legal? The reality is that is that it is still considered an illegal activity.
Will this activity get you thrown in jail, it is highly unlikely, however, it is not something that anyone would responsibly suggest that you do. While many people, who are never intending on sharing or selling their copies of their DVD's the act of duplicating a content protected DVD is in itself illegal.
You may copy your own DVD's in an attempt to protect them from the destructive hands of your kids, and you may think that your are not doing anything illegal, however, the law is the law, and it is indeed illegal.
You may not want to ask the question as to if It Is Legal? or not. It way be a can of worms your are not interested in opening, but some people feel very strongly about illegal activities, regardless of if they hurt any one or not, so if you are one of them, then you should stop copying DVD's immediately
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