DVD copying software ruled illegal 11:10 24 February 04 NewScientist.com news service Selling software bypassing copyright protection mechanisms on DVDs is illegal - even if the purpose is to make back-up copies for personal use, a California court has ruled. The ruling clarifies ambiguities in the controversial Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), but is a blow to consumers who rely on back-up copies of DVDs to safeguard against damage to the original. Ruling in favour of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) on Friday, Judge Susan Illston said that within the next seven days, the software company 321 Studios...