In 1999 This Was a Federal Crime. In 2026 the Hardware Is $22 and the Software Is Free.
Summary
A detailed narrative about ripping a CSS-protected DVD using free tools, revealing how legacy DRM, bonus content, and server-backed features collapsed by 2026, while the film itself remains playable. The piece contrasts 1999 DMCA-era enforcement with modern reality, and discusses hardware vs software limitations and the persistence of FBI warnings.