Quote:
Originally Posted by Justin Nemo
Sorry to contradict you oh wise one but if its actually illegal in the US to circumvent copy protection, then I cannot tell you about DVDShrink (for windows) and since I cannot mention that one, then I guess I also cannot mention DVDbackup (a command line tool for linux)...and obviously I'm precluded from mentioning MacTheRipper (for OS X) all sold freely in the US. Or at least they were when I was a pirate.  |
Yes, it is illegal in the US to sell DRM removal software. There is no doubt about this whatever. See
17 USC Sec. 1201 (a)(2)
The punishment for violating that provision "wilfully and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain" are a fine of up to $500,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years.
And this is why there are no US companies selling DVD ripping software. This doesn't mean that DVD ripping software isn't available for sale to US citizens, as it may not be illegal in the home countries of the firms selling it. (It isn't in Canada, for instance, at least until the next copyright bill there passes.)