I'm not sure why someone would down rate this question, since making a back up copy of a dvd is legal in some jurisdictions. In answer to your question. There are a number of types of copy protection in use. The studios are always employing new ways to do it and there are software developers that are finding ways around it. There are a few freeware programs on the net that will strip the copy protection off a dvd as it loads, allowing you to make a back up of the dvd. It does nothing physically to the dvd, it just ignores the copy protection. Many of these freeware programs though, won't work with the newer copy protection schemes. I'm afraid you'll have to shell out some coin to buy a decent software package. I use AoA DVD ripper. It's use is legal here in Canada and I've never had a movie I've not been able to rip with it. I bought Resident Evil Extinction last night and even though it's "copy protected" I now have it ripped and stored on my Creative Zen MP3/4 player so that I can watch it whenever. You can also rip a dvd for playback in just about any dvd player made in the last 5 years or so. Here's a link to AoA. http://www.aoamedia.com/dvd_ripper.htm

CXB DVD ripper can rip dvd to video/audio files, i think it is the best and most convenient software I've ever seen. Though lack of some unpractical functions, it is even powerful, convert dvd to any other video formats quickly with great quality. You'd better have a try. Here is a step by step guide to rip DVD to other video formats and audio formats for iPod touch/classic/video/nano, iPhone, Zune, PSP, video capable MP3 players, etc. It is easy-to-use and the converting speed is fast! http://www.cxbsoft.com/dvd-ripper.html