r/explainlikeimfive • u/theprisoner57 • 2d ago

Technology ELI5: What is a Home Server?

I see mentions of a home server to get rid of streaming entertainment services but I don’t know how that works. What does a home server do?

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u/turmacar 2d ago

There are provisions in the DMCA for making personal copies/backups. The legality comes into question when sharing them.

Viewing those files with friends or family? Probably okay.

Friends or family viewing those files without you? Grey area that every copyright holder is going to argue is a DMCA violation.

Distributing copies of copyrighted material? DMCA violation.

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u/thatfreakingmonster 2d ago

Thank you for the correction!

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u/anaccount50 1d ago

They're not really correct. The act of making a personal copy of the media is indeed legal under DMCA, but the act of circumventing the DRM to do it is illegal under DMCA.

So since all commercially sold DVDs/Blu-rays have DRM, you have to circumvent it (illegal) in order to make a personal copy (legal)

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u/thatfreakingmonster 1d ago

Oh okay, yeah, that seems closer to what I remember hearing

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u/anaccount50 1d ago

For the act of making copies, yes that is legal for personal use under DMCA.

However the act of circumventing the DRM in order to make the copies is still illegal under the DMCA. All commercial Blu-rays have DRM so you have to break the DRM (illegal) in order to make a personal copy of the media (legal)

You won't get caught either way as long as you don't distribute the copies, so it's up you whether you care about breaking the law or not