DVD-encryption hacking

Volume 17, Number 1 • January 2000

DVD-encryption hacking — This latest flap may be a case of much ado about (almost) nothing
by Péter Jacsó

CD/DVD COMMENTARIES column focuses on the disabling of the DVD copy protection by two Norwegian MoRE (Masters of Reverse Engineering) programmers and the posting on the Web of a program which allows anyone to copy the Video Object (VOB) files to a hard drive without encryption. Reports that lawyers sent out cease-and-desist orders to the Web sites that carried this utility. However, notes several reasons that this may be much ado about nothing, including the fact that most DVD movies consist of gigabytes of files and few users can spare that much free space just to have a movie on their hard drive. Adds that few have access to recordable DVD drives to write the files and the cost of the cartridge is more expensive than purchasing the movie. Discusses other threats to copy protection and says the hacking started because Linux users needed a way to play back normal DVD movies.