These utilities are designed to circumvent technological measures implemented on optical discs to prevent unauthorized duplication. Functionally, they analyze the disc’s structure and employ various techniques to bypass encryption and other access restrictions. A common application involves creating backup copies of legally purchased media for personal use, archiving, or format shifting.
Historically, these programs emerged in response to the widespread adoption of digital rights management (DRM) on commercially released DVDs. The ability to archive personal media collections offers benefits such as protection against damage or loss of the original discs. Furthermore, users can convert the content to different formats suitable for playback on various devices, extending the lifespan and usability of their purchased media.