Ripping
Encyclopedia
Ripping is the process of copying audio or video content to a hard disk
, typically from removable media
. The word is used to refer to all forms of media. Despite the name, neither the media nor the data is damaged after extraction.
Digital Audio Extraction (DAE) is a more formal phrase applied to the ripping of Audio CD
s. Ripping is distinct from simple file copying
, in that the source audio/video to be "ripped" is not formatted for ease of use in a computer filesystem. For example, the hierarchy of files making up the audio/video data on a DVD-Video
disc can be encoded
into a single MPEG file. In addition, the copied data are often compressed with appropriate codec
s. Ripping is often used to shift
formats, and to edit, duplicate or back up media content. Media files released on the Internet
may describe the source of the rip in their names, e.g.
In the case where media contents are protected using some effective copy protection
scheme, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
makes it illegal to manufacture or distribute circumvention tools and use those tools for non-fair use purposes. In the case RealNetworks v. DVD CCA
, the final injunction reads, "while it may well be fair use for an individual consumer to store a backup copy of a personally owned DVD on that individual's computer, a federal law has nonetheless made it illegal to manufacture or traffic in a device or tool that permits a consumer to make such copies." This case made clear that manufacturing and distribution of circumvention tools was illegal, but fair use of those tools was not.
There are also legal restrictions on what may be done with rips. As made clear above, ripping unencrypted media for personal use is legal. However, it is often the case that musical works and videos are not ripped solely for personal use, but are distributed to others. Unless this distribution fits into one of few circumstances, then this constitutes an offense under U.S. copyright law as distribution is one of the exclusive rights granted to copyright holders. This is regardless of whether the distribution is commercial or free of charge. The circumstances under which the ripped media may be distributed to others without infringing on copyright law include narrowly-defined fair use
distributions and distributions of material that is either in the public domain
or is available under a license that specifically grants distribution rights, such as various Creative Commons
licenses.
An update to this ruling was issued to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act on July 23, 2010. Video remix artists and other noncommercial users of copyrighted material that falls within Fair Use doctrine are no longer shackled to a DVD copy protection measure that prevented them from legally ripping a DVD for such purposes.
"Noncommercial videos are a powerful art form online, and many use short clips from popular movies. Finally the creative people that make those videos won't have to worry that they are breaking the law in the process, even though their works are clearly fair uses. That benefits everyone — from the artists themselves to those of us who enjoy watching the amazing works they create," confirmed Corynne McSherry, senior staff attorney for Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Recording industry representatives have claimed (in the context of Atlantic v. Howell) that ripping itself may be regarded as copyright infringement.
However, there is no legal precedent for this and, even within the industry, this is the minority view. In oral arguments before the Supreme Court in MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.
, Don Verrilli, representing MGM stated: "And let me clarify something I think is unclear from the amicus briefs. The record companies, my clients, have said, for some time now, and it's been on their Website for some time now, that it's perfectly lawful to take a CD that you've purchased, upload it onto your computer, put it onto your iPod. There is a very, very significant lawful commercial use for that device, going forward."
, anyone is allowed to make a private copy of a copyrighted material for oneself, providing that the copier has accessed the original material legally. A directive of the European Union allows its member nations to instate in their legal framework this private copy exception to the authors and editors rights. If a member State chooses to do so, it must also introduce a compensation for the copyright holders. In all of Europe, except for a few exceptions (the UK, Malta...) the compensation takes the form of a levy excised on all the machines and blank materials capable of copying copyrighted works. Making copies for other people, however, is forbidden, and if done for profit can lead to a jail sentence. This is also true for Sweden
and Poland
and most European countries. All of them have introduced a private copying levy, except for Norway, that compensates the owners directly from the country's budget. In 2009 the sum awarded to them was $55 million.
In Australia
and New Zealand
a copy of any legally purchased music may be made by its owner, as long as it is not distributed to others and its use remains personal.
In the United Kingdom
, making a private copy of copyrighted media without the copyright owner's consent is currently illegal, but the UK government's new Digital Economy Act is likely to make copying of CDs for personal use legal.
According to one survey, 59% of British consumers believed ripping a CD to be legal, and 55% admitted to doing it.
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
, typically from removable media
Removable media
In computer storage, removable media refers to storage media which is designed to be removed from the computer without powering the computer off.Some types of removable media are designed to be read by removable readers and drives...
. The word is used to refer to all forms of media. Despite the name, neither the media nor the data is damaged after extraction.
Digital Audio Extraction (DAE) is a more formal phrase applied to the ripping of Audio CD
Red Book (audio CD standard)
Red Book is the standard for audio CDs . It is named after one of the Rainbow Books, a series of books that contain the technical specifications for all CD and CD-ROM formats.The first edition of the Red Book was released in 1980 by Philips and Sony; it was adopted by the Digital Audio Disc...
s. Ripping is distinct from simple file copying
File copying
In the realm of computer file management, file copying is the creation of a new file which has the same content as an existing file.All computer operating systems include file copying provisions in the user interface, like the command, "cp" in Unix and "copy" in MS-DOS; operating systems with a...
, in that the source audio/video to be "ripped" is not formatted for ease of use in a computer filesystem. For example, the hierarchy of files making up the audio/video data on a DVD-Video
DVD-Video
DVD-Video is a consumer video format used to store digital video on DVD discs, and is currently the dominant consumer video format in Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. Discs using the DVD-Video specification require a DVD drive and a MPEG-2 decoder...
disc can be encoded
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
into a single MPEG file. In addition, the copied data are often compressed with appropriate codec
Codec
A codec is a device or computer program capable of encoding or decoding a digital data stream or signal. The word codec is a portmanteau of "compressor-decompressor" or, more commonly, "coder-decoder"...
s. Ripping is often used to shift
Space shifting
Space shifting , also known as place shifting , allows media, such as music or films, which is stored on one device to be accessed from another place through another device. Space shifting is frequently done through computer networks, for example by viewing a television broadcast from a WiFi...
formats, and to edit, duplicate or back up media content. Media files released on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
may describe the source of the rip in their names, e.g.
DVD-Rip.Ripping software
A CD ripper, CD grabber or CD extractor is a piece of software designed to extract or "rip" raw digital audio (in format commonly called CDDA) from a compact disc to a file or other output. Some all-in-one ripping programs can simplify the entire process by ripping and burning the audio to disc in one step, possibly re-encoding the audio on-the-fly in the process.United States
On the whole, it is legal for an individual in the United States to make a copy of media he/she owns for his/her own personal use. For instance, making a copy of a personally-owned audio CD for transfer to an MP3 player for that person's personal use would be legal.In the case where media contents are protected using some effective copy protection
Copy protection
Copy protection, also known as content protection, copy obstruction, copy prevention and copy restriction, refer to techniques used for preventing the reproduction of software, films, music, and other media, usually for copyright reasons.- Terminology :Media corporations have always used the term...
scheme, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a United States copyright law that implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization . It criminalizes production and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to circumvent measures that control access to...
makes it illegal to manufacture or distribute circumvention tools and use those tools for non-fair use purposes. In the case RealNetworks v. DVD CCA
RealNetworks, Inc. v. DVD Copy Control Association, Inc.
RealNetworks, Inc. v. DVD Copy Control Association, Inc., 641 F. Supp. 2d 913 , is a United States District Court case involving RealNetworks, the movie studios and DVD Copy Control Association regarding the Digital Millennium Copyright Act claims on the manufacturing and distribution of RealDVD,...
, the final injunction reads, "while it may well be fair use for an individual consumer to store a backup copy of a personally owned DVD on that individual's computer, a federal law has nonetheless made it illegal to manufacture or traffic in a device or tool that permits a consumer to make such copies." This case made clear that manufacturing and distribution of circumvention tools was illegal, but fair use of those tools was not.
There are also legal restrictions on what may be done with rips. As made clear above, ripping unencrypted media for personal use is legal. However, it is often the case that musical works and videos are not ripped solely for personal use, but are distributed to others. Unless this distribution fits into one of few circumstances, then this constitutes an offense under U.S. copyright law as distribution is one of the exclusive rights granted to copyright holders. This is regardless of whether the distribution is commercial or free of charge. The circumstances under which the ripped media may be distributed to others without infringing on copyright law include narrowly-defined fair use
Fair use
Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders...
distributions and distributions of material that is either in the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
or is available under a license that specifically grants distribution rights, such as various Creative Commons
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
licenses.
An update to this ruling was issued to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act on July 23, 2010. Video remix artists and other noncommercial users of copyrighted material that falls within Fair Use doctrine are no longer shackled to a DVD copy protection measure that prevented them from legally ripping a DVD for such purposes.
"Noncommercial videos are a powerful art form online, and many use short clips from popular movies. Finally the creative people that make those videos won't have to worry that they are breaking the law in the process, even though their works are clearly fair uses. That benefits everyone — from the artists themselves to those of us who enjoy watching the amazing works they create," confirmed Corynne McSherry, senior staff attorney for Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Recording industry representatives have claimed (in the context of Atlantic v. Howell) that ripping itself may be regarded as copyright infringement.
However, there is no legal precedent for this and, even within the industry, this is the minority view. In oral arguments before the Supreme Court in MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.
MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.
MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd. 545 U.S. 913 is a United States Supreme Court decision in which the Court unanimously held that defendant P2P file sharing companies Grokster and Streamcast could be sued for inducing copyright infringement for acts taken in the course of marketing file sharing...
, Don Verrilli, representing MGM stated: "And let me clarify something I think is unclear from the amicus briefs. The record companies, my clients, have said, for some time now, and it's been on their Website for some time now, that it's perfectly lawful to take a CD that you've purchased, upload it onto your computer, put it onto your iPod. There is a very, very significant lawful commercial use for that device, going forward."
Other countries
In countries such as SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, anyone is allowed to make a private copy of a copyrighted material for oneself, providing that the copier has accessed the original material legally. A directive of the European Union allows its member nations to instate in their legal framework this private copy exception to the authors and editors rights. If a member State chooses to do so, it must also introduce a compensation for the copyright holders. In all of Europe, except for a few exceptions (the UK, Malta...) the compensation takes the form of a levy excised on all the machines and blank materials capable of copying copyrighted works. Making copies for other people, however, is forbidden, and if done for profit can lead to a jail sentence. This is also true for Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and most European countries. All of them have introduced a private copying levy, except for Norway, that compensates the owners directly from the country's budget. In 2009 the sum awarded to them was $55 million.
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
a copy of any legally purchased music may be made by its owner, as long as it is not distributed to others and its use remains personal.
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, making a private copy of copyrighted media without the copyright owner's consent is currently illegal, but the UK government's new Digital Economy Act is likely to make copying of CDs for personal use legal.
According to one survey, 59% of British consumers believed ripping a CD to be legal, and 55% admitted to doing it.
See also
- Game ripGame ripA game rip refers to a pirated version of a game that was stripped down in order to fit under scene rules. This is largely a historical artifact of The Scene since no size limits exist today and releases are generally made in their entirety as disc images.-History:Game ripping reached its zenith...
- CD ripperCD ripperA CD ripper, CD grabber or CD extractor is software that convert tracks on a CD to standard computer sound files, such as WAV, MP3, or Ogg Vorbis.It rips raw digital audio in CDDA format on a compact disc to a file or other output.- History :...
- Digital video recorderDigital video recorderA digital video recorder , sometimes referred to by the merchandising term personal video recorder , is a consumer electronics device or application software that records video in a digital format to a disk drive, USB flash drive, SD memory card or other local or networked mass storage device...
- DVD ripperDVD ripperA DVD ripper is a software program that facilitates copying the content of a DVD to a hard disk drive. They are mainly used to transfer video on DVDs to different formats, to edit or back up DVD content, and to convert DVD video for playback on media players and mobile devices...
- Radio music rippingRadio music rippingThe term ripping can also apply to radio. New software, techniques and cloud services now makes it possible to extract the songs played on the radio and digitally save them on separate audio tracks...
- Digital Rights ManagementDigital rights managementDigital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
- Telecine (piracy)Telecine (piracy)The term telecine refers both to a film-to-tape transferring machine, as well as the process by which film is transferred to tape...
, a pirated copy of a film created with a telecine. - DVDScr (DVD Screener)ScreenerA screener is an advance screening of a film sent to critics, awards voters, video stores , and other film industry professionals, including producers and distributors. A screener often has no post-processing....
- R5 (bootleg)R5 (bootleg)R5, in the film business, is a copy of a movie made with a telecine machine from an analog source and is typically of a lower quality than other region releases....
- RiplockRiplockRiplock is a characteristic of newer computer DVD-ROM drives that slows the drive transfer rate when reading DVD-Video data, typically to 2x-4x on drives that otherwise could read at 8x or 16x...