playing DVDs on laptop without drive

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Robert Morein wrote:

> I'm considering the purchase of an ultracompact laptop that doesn't have
> an integral DVD drive.
>
> I'd like to temporarily copy the DVD to my hard drive so I can view it on
> my travels.
>
> Is there a player that doesn't require breaking the CSS ?

No. Copying the DVD to your hard drive and playing it back from there is a
felony in the US and punishible by up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000
fine. Not that there isn't software to do it, but posessing that software,
distributing, or telling anyone how to use it is also a felony. Ironically,
this applies even if you are the holder of the copyright on the DVD or if
the copyright on the content is expired.

Stupid? Sure. Unconstitutional? Probably. My guess would be you haven't
enough money (at todays rates, $400,000 to $500,000 -- but I'm sure the
RIAA and MPAA would out bid you) to purchase enough senators or congressmen
to fix it.

A little OT, but Senators Orrin Hatch and Patrick Leahy were recently paid
over $150,000 each (by the RIAA) to sponsor legislation (also written by
entertainment industry lobbyists) that would amplify the punishment for P2P
file trading of copyrighted content and drastically lower the burden of
proof in such cases. Orrin Hatch also has suggested legislation that would
have PCs remotely destroyable by copyright holders if they thought the
target PC might contain infringing content (which is doubly ironic, Hatch
being a well-publicized software pirate himself).

Ironically, if you backed your truck over a senator, you'd probably end up
spending less time in jail and not have to pay such nasty fines...

If you have an extra $500,000 (payable to Hatch, Leahy and Lamar Smith who's
also on the dole), you might give it a shot. It wouldn't hurt to contact
their offices and see how much they'd charge for the repeal service. Ask if
there is a constituent discount.



> In other words, if I simply copy the files, is there a player that will
> play them?

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