> ------------------------------------------------- > Universal vs. Reimerdes Case Details > ------------------------------------------------- > DeCSS is a program designed to circumvent CSS (Content Scramble System), > which is the technology that motion picture studios (I.e., > Universal) place > on DVDs to prevent the unauthorized viewing and copying of motion > pictures. > CSS allows DVDs to be played on computers and DVD players, but does not > allow the copying or manipulation of a DVD's contents. > > DeCSS decrypts the CSS protection mechanisms, thus allowing the > copying of a > DVD's contents onto a computer system for full manipulation and > copying of > the newly created (and very large) computer file. The large file can be > compressed using a freely available compression application > entitled "DivX" > that allows for the transfer of the compressed file back onto a DVD, or > across the Internet. DeCSS was marketed for the playing of DVDs > on multiple > platforms, as well as for the copying of DVDs. The writers of DeCSS claim > that their intention was to produce a program that allowed DVDs > to be played > on the Linux operating system (something that was not available at that > time). It is extremely important to point out that DeCSS, or any other decryption software, does not "permit" the copying of a protected DVD any more than the gas pedal on your car "permits" you to speed. DeCSS has nothing to do with the ability to copy a DVD, but affects the ability to view the DVD on an operating system other than what was originally intended. In fact, I can copy DVDs to my hard drive all day long, without any special hardware or software - all I have to do is open Windows Explorer, select the DVD-ROM drive, and drag-and-drop all those nice big .vob files to my hard drive. If I want to burn those files to another DVD, nothing prevents me from doing so, and certainly not CSS. I could burn 100 copies of my brand new Terminator 3 DVD, and CSS has nothing to do with it. I would think this point would be obvious, but you'd be surprised how often I've had to point this out to talk show hosts.
