Talk:Libdvdcss

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This article says that css is not copy protection, but the copy protection article says it is. Is this a contradiction?

As I understand it, CSS does not prevent a bit-for-bit copy of a DVD from being played, so it does not act as a copy protection system. All it enforces is the need for a player to have access to the necessary keys to unscramble the content on the DVD. Other systems, such as SCMS or Blu-Ray actively attempt to prevent copies being made of the data. Note that this subject is a legal minefield, with laws differing from country to country, so please don't assume that anything said here gives you licence to do anything in your jurisdiction. WLD 16:40, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Danieleran 22:06, 29 March 2007 (UTC) It is silly to say that CSS isn't copy protection because you "can still copy the encrypted bits." You quite obviously can't copy them in a useful way unless you decrypt it first. It's only ever the content that's being encrypted, not the ability to read bits on the disc; that's why its the Content Scrambling System. Suggesting that CSS is only a 'region enforcement' is disingenious and misleading, and only makes the arguement for fair use sound ignorant. It most certainly offers no legal protection, and suggesting that laws are lacking in some areas doesn't help or inform either.

QUOTE: (last Paragraph of Article) In many countries it is forbidden to sell or document programs that provide ways around copy prevention systems. Many Linux distributions do not contain libdvdcss (for example Debian, SUSE Linux, and ubuntu) due to fears of running afoul of DMCA-style laws. In most of these cases, the library can be easily downloaded from the Internet. In other cases some distributions refrain from preloading libdvdcss onto their install discs but it is available in their software repositories.

I do not see how any of this is relevant - I think it should be removed from the article. The Distribution and Laws are not part or concept of libcss. Please counter-argue. 194.97.121.220 02:28, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

Since you can still copy the DVD even if it uses CSS it is clear not a copy protection mechanism. Please explain how CSS is a copy protection mechanism.

if you copy the contents of a css protected dvd-video it won't be usable, since the key is mising.

Not very sure about technology, but just asking: how come if you copy the CD bit-by-bit the key would be missing? -- AdrianTM 13:39, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

The key is not part of the filesystem or the files. it is stored in a special place on the DVD (whose name escapes me). Most DVD+-R do not include this space. i am not quite sure, but i think DVD-R does.

Anyway, you can not copy a dvd-video bit by bit without circumventing the copy prevention (css) if you have questions read wiki's entries on dvd and css and ask further questions here217.194.224.34 14:03, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

and by the way: how is css helping to segment the market ?

this sounds dubious to me too. -- AdrianTM 13:39, 7 July 2007 (UTC)

an so i think it should be removed 217.194.224.34 14:03, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Distributions and Laws are not "part of concept" of libcss but are highly relevant to the subject so that paragraph is here to stay. -- AdrianTM 13:45, 5 July 2007 (UTC)

why are they highly relevant ?

[edit] Legal or not

Is this legal or not? It says "circumvention for purposes of software interoperability" is allowed what does circumvention for purposes of software interoperability mean?

Don't get your legal advice from Wikipedia. Besides English Wikipedia is not only for one country and different countries have different laws. Also, learn to sign you posts. -- AdrianTM 03:08, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

Is it legal in North America? What does "circumvention for purposes of software interoperability" mean? What country is that legal in?

This might come as a shock to you but North America is not a country, also IANAL -- AdrianTM 03:36, 13 August 2007 (UTC)

As for "purpose of software interoperablility" I guess it means, viewing a DVD on a Linux system for example, which in itself is not an illegal activity if you own or rented the DVD. -- AdrianTM 03:38, 13 August 2007 (UTC)