There is a couple threads in GQ (one locked) about making backups of DVD and otherwise breaking the terms of End User License Agreements.
Although I do not pirate music, videos or software, I confess that I always backup my kiddie DVDs (my grown up movies remain looking mint after a hundred plays) before they completely destruct them. I also unwrap all my iTunes downloads (before Microsoft buys them and wipe my collection with a mouse click in Redmond). I also saw no problem in copying all my VHS movies to DVD as soon as that option was available (for the same reason I scanned all my photos from the days of film)
In short, in a world of corporate buyout, bungee managements and fleeting formats, I don’t trust the industry to hold their end of the agreement, so I make sure I will be able to continue to enjoy my purchase.
I have several friends and family members who just hate it that I won’t let them copy my movies and music. Some others just think I am stupid for paying for them. To each his own. I won’t pirate. I have been a content creator myself at some points in my life and I would have hated to see my creations copied.
So, without entering in a debate about whether this is right or wrong, I would like to hear how many out there are doing the same or are sticking to the letter of the law and buying multiple copies of movies and music as formats change and perish.
I’ve already got quite a few (ie hundreds) albums on vinyl and again on CD. I won’t be paying again for a purely digital copy of something I already own, thankyouverymuch, not when it is trivially easy to make your own.
Don’t the Americans have the DMCA that makes it illegal to break copyright protection? ie on a DVD movie or DRMed CDs.
I don’t think we (Canadians) have something similar yet, but there is something fermenting in govt that will give us one.
About two months after my first and last purchase of DRMed music, an upgrade toasted my computer, and with it my licenses. Now I store nothing in my computer that has DRM, I break it ASAP.
yeah we do, thats what hes talking about, its basicly a way for companies to make it illegal for us to do something we have a legal right to do…welcome to the American legal system.
It may be ugly, but since EULAs tend to (but not always, and not in everything) have the law behind them, talking about breaking DRM and making copies you (in some cases) are not legally entitled to make is not something we want to allow on the SDMB.
According to the Registration Agreement:
If someone wants to open a thread debating the ethics of stripping DRM, please feel free to do so; or if someone wants to open a GQ thread asking about the reach of DCMA, go ahead. This particular thread, however, will be closed.