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0 pointsMrScruff14y ago0 comments

If we are talking about wealth in the broadest sense, as discussed by PG in the link below then I certainly class copying a DVD that you haven't purchased as profiting, yes.

http://paulgraham.com/wealth.html

I don't think anyone realistically considers format shifting as copyright infringement, other than opportunistic executives. I'm not aware of anyone being taken to court for format shifting.

Oh, and I'm not sure if your 'profitable discussion' pun was intentional or not, but I enjoyed it anyway.

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nate_meurer14y ago· 1 in thread

In order to rip a DVD, you have to break the CSS encryption, which is illegal under the DMCA. Hollywood (the industry) has fought hard against allowing exceptions to the DMCA for fair use of any kind, and they terrorized the hackers who reverse-engineered CSS in the first place.

Hollywood has also fought to force other countries to outlaw fair use. Here's an example:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/05/us-in-2005-l...

So yes, it is quite clear that Hollywood considers ripping a DVD to be criminal activity.

MrScruffOP14y ago

Yes, I'm aware of this. But I don't think lumping fair use in with people downloading torrents makes a lot of sense. Hollywood want complete control over all access and distribution of their content, while the Pirate Party want copyright abolished. As usual the reasonable position will lie somewhere between these extremes.

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