iTunes can rip a CD and make the tracks rapidly available for you to listen
to on your iPhone (or iPod) or stream around your house via other computers, or
AppleTV/Airtunes and a variety of third party products.

ZDNet thinks they should do
the same with DVDs. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Why? While ripping CDs is
legal in the US, ripping DVDs is not and Hollywood and Big Media would do their
best to sue any product, iTunes included, into oblivion if put that feature in.
In fact, that’s what they’re doing with Real’s
RealDVD right now. This is based on the claim that it violates the DMCA by
breaking copy protection, though Real wraps copy protection of their own around
the ripped movies).

Apple, of course, has $30 billion in the bank, which could fund one heckuva
legal battle (and maybe even get the EFF on their side?) If anyone
is in the position to help consumers retain fair use of their media, and
increase the functionality and appeal of their own product at…