[mythtv-users] OT: Is playing DVD's on Linux legal in the US yet?

Byron Poland wpoland at gmail.com
Mon Apr 10 01:08:25 UTC 2006


On 4/9/06, Derek Meek <thekazan at gmail.com> wrote:
> Chad wrote:
>
> >On 4/9/06, William <wmunson at rochester.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>AFAIK it is still illegal to decode any encripted dvd in the usa unless you
> >>do so with a MPAA approved commercial decoder. That includes playing as well
> >>as ripping.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>-----Original Message-----
> >>>From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> >>>[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Chad
> >>>Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 7:21 PM
> >>>To: Discussion about thtv
> >>>Subject: [mythtv-users] OT: Is playing DVD's on Linux legal
> >>>in the US yet?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>This is a 2 part discussion:
> >>>
> >>>1.  Any new news on playing DVD's on linux?  The latest thing
> >>>I can find is: http://lxer.com/module/forums/t/20469/
> >>>Beyond that, it's back in what, 2001 where there were 2 cases
> >>>that seemed to be defining DVD's on linux, and the outcome of
> >>>either case didn't really answer the question clearly.  Is
> >>>DeCSS illegal in the US?  The funny thing is that I see
> >>>people on this list who were associated with those cases, so
> >>>I assume they definitely know where the line is drawn.  I'm
> >>>not even wondering about ripping, simply playing DVD's via MythTV.
> >>>
> >>>2.  Is it a simple configuration parameter when compiling
> >>>mythplugins to remove the ability to rip DVD's, yet still
> >>>allow playing?  And a sorta addon to this part, are there any
> >>>legal issues using mplayer to playback Home Videos that were
> >>>encoded in windows using windows codecs/software?
> >>>
> >>>Thanks!
> >>>
> >>>Chad
> >>>_______________________________________________
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >Thanks for the fast follow up!
> >
> >So who is held 'liable'?  For companies like Mythic.tv and plutohome,
> >do they not distribute all of mythtv; or is it the end user who is
> >technicially 'breaking the law' if they wrongfully play/rip a
> >commercial DVD in linux?
> >
> >Chad
> >_______________________________________________
> >mythtv-users mailing list
> >mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> >http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
> >
> >
> >
> AFAIK while i believe it's still "technically illegal" it'll never get
> litigated again, they pulled out of the last case becuase the SCOTUS was
> going to hand them their arse.
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>

I always look at it this way... Every computer or dvd drive I have
ever bought comes with some sort of oem windows dvd player software.  
I've paid for the drive, I own a ligit version of a dvd playback
software (the licence fee is paid), I believe its within my rights to
play the dvd back in linux using decss if need be.


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