I got a bunch of DVDs my local library was getting rid of and there are a few very obscure ones that I would like to archive. However I am unsure how to get the data from the DVD into a shareable format what’s the easiest way to do this? Thanks!

  • TootSweet@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    You know, I pulled a “dumb american” move and assumed OP was in the U.S. I’ll stand by the claim that what OP’s trying to do is illegal in the U.S. and write the rest of this comment under the assumption that OP is in the U.S.

    I suppose I’m also assuming OP doesn’t have any special license to the content on the DVDs in question. But I’ll assume they’re talking about commercially available Hollywood movies for purposes of this comment.

    Also, IANAL, and this isn’t legal advice.

    But, the “backup copy” provision applies only to “computer programs”, not to movies, audio recordings, novels, etc.

    Also, the backup copy provision isn’t considered part of “fair use”. Fair use is in 17 USC § 107. The backup copy provision is in 17 USC § 117. Whatever the case, nothing in what OP said indicates that anything they’re trying to do is for purposes of “criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching …, scholarship, or research”.

    Beyond that, DVDs have DRM. And the DMCA makes it a felony to “circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title”. Basically, aside from a couple of provisions that don’t apply here, its a felony to circumvent DRM.

    Whether OP owns the physical media isn’t relevant to any of the above.

    It’s fucked, but that’s how it is.