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The CSS encryption code, Content Scrambling System was developed by Hollywood in order to curb piracy. The CSS is responsible for scrambling the data on a DVD and a special key is required so that it can be unscrambled. Using a 40-bit encryption, without the key the DVD’s cannot be played. DVD-RW or DVD-R discs are not capable of writing the key, and to remove the problem of DVD copying, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act was put in to force. As we come to see it, there would be no such idea as a DVD copy. But this was not the case, the CSS proved to be ineffectual and the code cracked. Resulting in the release of a number of DVD copying softwares, and the possibility of a Copy Protected DVD was quite dim.
A number of companies have tried as well to create a copy protected DVD, for instance Macrovision has developed a form of protection against copying that is similar to the VHS tapes. This has been seen to have a number of issues when it comes to compatibility and was not universally applied. The CSS code is successfully decoded by a number of software programs. The DVD decrypter is a software that not only removes the protection but is designed so that users can copy certain parts of a movie etc. In addition it also allows the DVD to be copied on a DVD record able. Another software known as AnyDVD, besides removing the CSS encryption also allows the user to rip and burn.
The decryption CSS was developed by Jon Johansen so that the Linux OS could play DVD’s but this code also made it possible to decrypt a DVD movie, copy it to a hard drive and share. From then on there were a number of legal proceedings and unclear if copying DVD’s is illegal or not. Softwares like Nero, Roxio, Pinnacle Systems allow copying of non copy-protected DVD movies and do not include the DeCSS code so that copy-protected videos can be descrambled.
To create a copy of a copy protected DVD, majority users use third party softwares like Smart Ripper, DVD Decrypter etc, that rip the DVD’s. The DVD’s are descrambled and saved on the hard drive, and using a legitimate program the movie or data back to a DVD. This is done only so that users can have a backup of the DVD they have purchased for personal use. If done for any other reason, for sale or distribution it is piracy and the person can face a legal action.
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