Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

The MPAA apparently has a new lab where it checks out DVD hardware to ensure compliance with "the rules". They have recently sued many software makers that were offering DVD copying programs and now they are taking on hardware companies. The MPAA is going after chipmakers that sell to DVD player makers that allow the copying of commercial DVDs and or allow output that isnt crippled enough (so that a recording might be made from the output). All the hardware vendors have to agree to the DVD Copy Control Assoc contracts beforehand. Based on these contracts, and apparent violations, the MPAA is now suing hardware makers.

Now I would agree that if you violate the contract then you should be held accountable, what I have issues with is that such contracts that do not allow a consumer to make a "fair use" copy of what they OWN even exist.

The MPAA is just a dumb as the RIAA in these cases in that they are alienating real paying customers as much as they are stopping any real piracy (I am sure their tactics work on piracy to some degree, but not a great deal, lets face it you can still copy a DVD if you really want to, albeit illegally).

I am not sure what the legal arguments are on both sides of this issue, I havent researched it, but where is my "fair use" copy? (Legal experts by all means please enlighten?) What really bothers me about these associations, regardless of my ignorance of the legal matters and WHATEVER the laws are, is that I WANT to buy DVDs and WANT to make a copy of them (I like DVD because of the picture quality and ease of use of the format, and I want a copy because they are expensive and kids can destroy one rather quickly if they get a hold of it, however the personal reason for the backup should be irrelevant). Yet I cannot do that, I have to pay 30 bucks for one disc and am NOT allowed to make a copy of it, even after I am the legal owner of it? Lately because of all of the crapola from the RIAA and MPAA I have just stopped buying CDs and DVDs altogether. Screw it. I will be upgrading my cable service to some better HD stuff (which is another battle, story for another time) and just giving up on owning movies. If more consumers demanded that a fair use copy be allowed then maybe the strongarm MPAA would be persuaded by a dose of its own medicine?

For more on the real details see the linked news.com article.   Hollywood cracks down on DVD chipmakers