DeCSS - methods to overcome DVD encrytion for use with Handbrake and other DVD processing programs.

When attempting to make copies of your DVD collection and/or transferring them in an alternate format to a portable device, you may need to overcome the CSS encryption.

DVDs are encrypted using CSS (Content Scrambling System)

A quote from my page on CSS (techwatch.ca):

.... CSS was developed primarily by Matsushita and Toshiba. In October 1999, the CSS algorithm was cracked and posted on the Internet, triggering endless controversies and legal battles

The libdvdcss library for defeating CSS encryption

The "de-css" software, a library of functions developed for the Linux platform is not really much use for the Windows user and programs such as DVD43 and anyDVD will have to be used with Handbrake to make "rips" of DVDs.