AnyDVD

AnyDVD HD

Originally, AnyDVD just supported DVDs. On February 17, 2007, SlySoft released AnyDVD HD, a software upgrade adding functionality for Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. AnyDVD HD includes support for AACS-encrypted discs and region-coded Blu-ray discs (HD DVD discs do not have region codes).

On March 19, 2008, SlySoft released version 6.4.0.0 of AnyDVD HD, which removes BD+ as well. Version 6.4.6.2, released 22 August 2008, introduced the ability to rip movies to an ISO format.

Rebranding

Following the resurrection of AnyDVD under the Redfox branding, AnyDVD was released in a new version (V8.0.1.0) on 17 May 2016. License keys from SlySoft for previous versions (V7.6.9.5 and earlier) are unsupported in new versions, including keys sold as "Free updates until: Forever". New license keys must be purchased from Redfox for the new version (available for 1, 2, and 3 years of support and updates or for 'lifetime'). The ability of previous versions (V7.6.9.1 to V7.6.9.5 inc.) to access to the new Redfox Online Protection Database will be blocked from 31 May 2016.

CDs

AnyDVD can also work in the background to automatically detect and remove additional data sessions contained on Audio CDs which contain copy protection measures. This allows audio tracks to be directly accessed on the system for direct playback and for access by CD ripping software. Intentional tracking errors in the audio may also be discovered, for example, those errors involved with key2AudioXS, which may cause major skipping distortions in the ripped audio tracks. By bypassing these methods AnyDVD can provide clean, distortion-free playback and ripping.

Legal issues

Advertising, sale, and lending of AnyDVD is outlawed in Germany (but possession is not), as it removes copy prevention from DVDs. The Heise news portal was sued by the record industry for linking to SlySoft's website in a news report. The publisher subsequently counter sued with claims of violation of their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press and had, as of April 2007, lost two appeal proceedings. The German Federal Constitutional Court decided not to rule on Heise's appeal for the time being because remedies in the ordinary courts had not been exhausted. In October 2010, the Federal Court of Justice of Germany decided in favor of Heise, a verdict now legally binding. The legal status of AnyDVD in other countries is unclear.

Giancarlo Bettini, the owner of Slysoft, was convicted of 6 counts in an Antigua court under the copyright act of 2003 and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution. In February 2016, SlySoft shut down, with its home page replaced by a message citing "recent regulatory requirements". However, the company's support forum remained online, with the name SlySoft replaced with "RedFox". SlySoft developers also revealed that none of the company's staff were actually based in Antigua, where SlySoft claimed to have been based, that the company was not involved in legal settlements from AACS LA, and that key staff members still had access to SlySoft's technical infrastructure—including build systems and licensing servers—feasibly allowing development of AnyDVD to continue. This was followed by the release of version 7.6.9.1, which was the first released under the Belize/Latvia-based banner of RedFox.

Disappearance

On July 2024, RedFox's website disappeared, with both servers shut down and DNS records removed.

As AnyDVD does not require online activation, existing users can still install and use it to decrypt DVDs. An offline version of the Blu-ray key database has been available for download on RedFox's website (while it was still online), and users who have installed it are still able to use AnyDVD HD to decrypt Blu-ray movies released up to that point.

References

References

1. "AnyDVD History".
2. (2007-06-12). "Sony's ARccOS group takes down RipIt4Me and FixVTS". AfterDawn.
3. (October 2023). ["AnyDVD (HD) 6.4.0.0"](https://forum.redfox.bz/showthread.php?t=14787}}{{Dead link).
4. "RedFox Download | AnyDVD, CloneDVD, CloneCD, GameJackal, Any DVD, Clone DVD, Clone CD, Game Jackal".
5. (2007-01-03). "Ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court (in German)". Bverfg.de.
6. (15 October 2010). "Article on heise news portal about the final appeal (German)". Heise.de.
7. (24 February 2016). "DRM defeaters defeated? SlySoft ceases operations".
8. "AnyDVD Admins & Developers Mull Comeback".
9. "AnyDVD is Back But Don't Call Us Pirates, Developer Says".
10. "What Happened to RedFox".