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Slysoft owner 'criminally guilty' for Blu-ray ripping software

Written by James Delahunty @ 05 Apr 2014 1:59 User comments (16)

Slysoft owner 'criminally guilty' for Blu-ray ripping software Slysoft owner Giancarlo Bettini has reportedly been found criminally guilty in Antigua of making Blu-ray ripping software.
Slysoft develops and distributes a bunch of tools for DVD, Blu-ray disc creation and ripping. One of those tools is AnyDVD HD, which can decrypt the contents of Blu-ray Discs so that the raw structure containing the content can be ripped from the disc.

According to reports, AACS LA targeted Bettini in Antigua, where Slysoft is located. Due to a clause in Antigua's copyright laws, it is possible to be fined or even imprisoned for distributing tools that circumvent copy protection mechanisms.

Bettini has been found criminally guilty and has been ordered to pay a fine of $30,000 or face imprisonment.

The decision will come as a surprise since Antigua is seen as a very lax territory when it comes to copyright enforcement.



Slysoft and Bettini intend to appeal the verdict, and as of now, all of Slysoft's products are still on sale from the company's website.

Tags: SlySoft
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16 user comments

15.4.2014 15:34
Mrguss
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Antigua !?
Slysoft owner should just throw them a $1K dog bone to that corrupt govt. and move on the biz as usual.
But it maybe will be better to not give them nothings: so the same dog don't return again.

Just saying.

25.4.2014 16:21
Flangeworthy
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Here in the UK, a Blu-ray movie costs up to £25. Over a period of time that disc becomes worn, The Godfather springs to mind. I've used AnyDVD HD for years to circumvent this problem. Generally, after ripping, I convert the movie to a smaller DivX HD file, store it on an external HDD attached to my PC, and watch it on my HDTV via Cyclone MKV. I'm just pleased to learn that as from 1st June, in the UK, copying will become legal. Should have happened years back! I'll still use AnyDVD HD when necessary.

35.4.2014 21:52
ivymike
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CD's, DVD's and even BluRay discs are prone to a phenomenon called "rot" in which the data layer slowly deteriorates.

A prompt personal backup should be LEGAL IMHO.

46.4.2014 08:41
xnonsuchx
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Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.

56.4.2014 13:00
dali
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I've been using AnyDVD HD for some years because of many LEGAL, ORIGINAL Blu-Ray discs with the correct zone which, don't ask me why, won't play otherwise.

I stopped buying BluRay editions a couple of years ago, anyway. Optical technology is all crap and should be gone for good, IMHO.

66.4.2014 13:04
xboxdvl2
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Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
 Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.
so we are suppose to have hardware to back up movies but no software to back them up???

76.4.2014 16:48
KillerBug
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Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
 Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.
By that logic, only people skilled in reverse engineering would be allowed to backup their legally purchased content. Every now and then a free bluray ripping app pops up...and a few months later it stops working with new movies because the developers don't want to keep up with the new protection when they are not even covering their expenses. I have no problem with people charging for the software they create.

The simple fact is that you can get the movies for free by pirating them. Even if you are buying a movie and making copies for all your friends, the studio is still doing better than if you just download it. Blocking people from backing up legal content doesn't help anyone.

87.4.2014 08:35
xnonsuchx
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Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
 Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.
so we are suppose to have hardware to back up movies but no software to back them up???

FREE software that can't be traced back to the creator to be held liable.

97.4.2014 17:30
KillerBug
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Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
 Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.
so we are suppose to have hardware to back up movies but no software to back them up???

FREE software that can't be traced back to the creator to be held liable.
So it is OK to put time, skill, and effort into writing software...so long as you don't make any money on it? If someone wants to sell such software, they should be able to. If they want to do it in a country that will prosecute them for doing so, that's their risk.

107.4.2014 20:07
xboxdvl2
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Originally posted by KillerBug:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
 Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.
so we are suppose to have hardware to back up movies but no software to back them up???

FREE software that can't be traced back to the creator to be held liable.
So it is OK to put time, skill, and effort into writing software...so long as you don't make any money on it? If someone wants to sell such software, they should be able to. If they want to do it in a country that will prosecute them for doing so, that's their risk.
what next will we see car makers held responsible for people doing illegal things with cars??or beverage makers being held resposible cause people are being stupid while drunk????
or doctors being held resposible for illegal things people do while on meds?????
continue making the software with a small label that says "this program is intended to be used legally and responsibily" problem solved

117.4.2014 23:50
KillerBug
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Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
 what next will we see car makers held responsible for people doing illegal things with cars??
It is actually possible. For instance, if you have a car that comes with tires rated to 100MPH and you have a tire failure at 140MPH, the manufacturer can be held liable for failing to equip a speed limiter...even if you were doing 140MPH in a 20MPH school zone at the time.

1211.4.2014 11:45
mtipton
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Newbie

I have been using AnyDVD for a very long time, and have been very surprised that so many countries view video copying "for your own use" as an illegal activity. Especially in the USA, whose supreme court ruled in the late 1970's that it is legal for individuals to make video copies for thier own use. This ruling pre-dates DVD's, but should still apply since it is still video content. I believe that the UK is moving in the right direction, and that USA officals should stop taking "Kick-Back" money (Campaign Contributions) from the movie industry.

1311.4.2014 21:46
kutulu1
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Junior Member

More commie BS from Murica; not as free as they would let you believe.

1411.4.2014 23:40
pmshah
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Originally posted by xnonsuchx:
 Finding a way to copy on your own is one thing; selling software to make copies is another.
Not everyone is a programmer. Just like anything else you buy tools for your needs made by others. Consider this too as tool to achieve this end of making your own legal copies. Otherwise the law makers should require the so called rights owners to replace the damaged media for free!

1512.4.2014 08:37
getanacct
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Slysoft owner Giancarlo Bettini will probably tell the AACS LA where to go with their fine. He'll probably appeal this thing for many years to come.

1612.4.2014 16:44
xboxdvl2
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Senior Member

slysoft could give the software away for free and have a donation system once the donation reaches a certain amount they will make an upgrade available with better features.

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