Company behind copying software AnyDVD closes doors

The website of SlySoft, known for programs such as CloneCD and AnyDVD, has been taken offline. When the website is visited, the visitor will see a message indicating that all activities around SlySoft have stopped.

SlySoft itself is silent about why the website was taken down. The only information is contained in the message displayed when a user visits the website: “Due to recent regulatory requirements, we have had to suspend all activities related to SlySoft Inc.. We would like to thank our loyal customers for their patronage over the years.” How permanent this shutdown is is unknown. The software is still available through other websites.

Legal issues are not new to the company. Due to the nature of its products, it has been the target of other companies and organizations more often. For example, the AnyDVD software can be used to remove the DRM from Blu-rays and HD DVDs. As such, the company is a thorn in the side of the Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator, a representative of the likes of Disney, Sony and Warner Bros., among others.

The AACS LA has previously gone after other similar companies such as Aiseesoft. Now the license administrator has his sights set on SlySoft again. For example, two weeks ago the AACS LA asked the US government to put Antigua, the island where SlySoft is located, on the national checklist of countries that do not protect copyright well enough.

Because of its location in Antigua, SlySoft was able to sell programs such as AnyDVD and CloneCD. SlySoft owner Giancarlo Bettini was fined in 2014 for violating copyright law on the island. He appealed and this case is not yet closed. This allowed SlySoft to continue selling the software. For an as yet unknown reason, it seems that this cannot continue under the indicated new regulations.