Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

I get very aggravated when I cant make a backup copy of a CD I OWN. And I do mean "backup". I either use legally free software (open source) or buy the software I use. I dont play the warez game, distribute illegal software or the like. That said in the past I had a great amount of hassle making backup copies of copy protected CDs and DVDs.

By law I am supposed to be able to make "fair use" backup copies. So how come when I buy a CD, for example a game, it has some copy protection on it that wont allow me to copy it?
Or how come my DVD player has Macrovision copy protection crap so I cant tape my DVDs? Well because companies are abusing fair use and even lobbying to have laws changed so that fair use no longer means I can copy something I own.

Luckily at this point the Digital Rights Management (DRM) copy protection crap the companies are supporting and using more and more is meeting some real resistance AND I can generally keep a step ahead of whatever they use. The point however is, that I should not have to subvert any copy protection to make my fair use copy.

Even though legally I should not HAVE to deal with copy protection when making fair use copies, I do. Until that changes, this is how I make copies of copy protected CDs (and it purportedly works for DVDs as well).

I got a new LiteOn CD burner (52x24x52x, 40-45 bucks at various web sites now) because LiteOn is recommened by the CD copying software you now have to have to make fair use copies. I think the LiteOn drive can deal with scattered tracks and scrambled tables that some copy protection methods use better than other drives (I think, I dont know exactly why its better, but it works). Then I also got a copy of ClonyXXL. ClonyXXL will scan your disk and TELL YOU WHAT ILLEGAL COPY PROTECTION CRAP IS ON IT (I say illegal again, because it impedes my fair use rights). Currently there are 25 or so in use copy protection mechanisms on data CDs and 5 or so on audio CDs.

Then you can use several copying programs to make copies. I prefer Alcohol 120%. Using A120 I you can tell it what copy protection your original CD has (based on the info from ClonyXXL) and then burn it. In all instances this simple process has worked for me. It does mean you need to buy Alcohol 120%, but its worth it. (A120 has some other great features too, it can make virtual CD mounts, copy other media, etc.)

So using a good burner, and a few pieces of copy protection aware software, you CAN MAKE your FAIR USE copies. Its a royal pain to have to go through the hoops because of copy protection, but at least it can be done.

And note that yes, although I prefer Linux to Windows in most server situations, the desktop software for Linux, especially CD burning software, is a bit lacking. The software tools in this article are for use with Windows (you have VMWare or dual boot, right?).

See the linked Toms Hardware article about making "backup" copies for more specific info. (Great article that I found after my experiences.)
   Mysteries Of The CDRW and Back Ups Revealed: TomsHardware