SlySoft, a software developer based in the Caribbean, had released version 6.4.0.0 of its AnyDVD HD product that makes it possible to produce backup copies of Blu-ray discs protected with BD+.

Some Hollywood studios, notably Twentieth Century Fox , are said to have opted for Blu-ray because the extra protection BD+ provides above and beyond AACS, the copy protection technology supported by both HD DVD and Blu-ray, which has already been defeated.

AnyDVD works in the background to automatically remove copy protection of a DVD movie, allowing users to back up a movie using a DVD backup tool. Users can also remove the RPC region code, allowing a movie to be viewed on any DVD player and with any DVD player software regardless of region-related restrictions.

BD+ is a component of the Blu-ray Disc Digital Rights Management system. BD+ creates a virtual machine within authorised players that allows the execution of "applets" on Blu-ray Discs. Some studios, such as Twentieth Century Fox, have stated that the incorporation of the technology is one of the reasons they preferred Blu-ray over HD DVD.

"Blu-ray titles released up to now have not fully exploited the possibilities of BD+," said Peer van Heuen, head of high-definition technologies at SlySoft, in a statement by the firm. "Future releases will undoubtedly have a modified and more polished BD+ protection, but we are well prepared for this and await the coming developments rather relaxed."

Story filed 29.03.08