Can I import my movies from disc to itunes then onto my ipad?

You need to buy them again.

(60338)

Dvds that you purchase are encrypted to stop you from doing this. it is illegal to break this encryption.

You do not need to buy licenses for different forms of the same work. See below.

Try going to macupdate and looking for MacTheRipper or RipIt and Handbrake. It's a 2 step process and very easy, and legal so long as you use the software to make copies for personal use. (as clearly you stated is your intent.)

While the DMCA made breaking any digital encryption meant to protect copyrighted data illegal, people who use software that bypasses encryption are not the ones that can be sued for it. It is the maker of the software or the company that markets it that can be sued if the primary purpose in circumvention or if they market is as such.

Also, under established "fair use" court rulings. A person who has purchased software to make an acrhival copy is fair use. AND a person who makes a copy of a copyrighted work to transfer to another device for personal use is also legal.

"Therefore circumvention is not infringement in itself."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamberlain_v._Skylink

"The elements necessary to state a claim under the DMCA are

1. ownership of a valid copyright;
2. circumvention of a technological measure designed to protect the copyrighted material;
3. unauthorized access by third parties;
4. infringement because of the circumvention; and
5. the circumvention was achieved through software that the defendant either
   1. designed or produced primarily for circumvention;
   2. made available despite only limited commercial significance other than circumvention; or
   3. marketed for use in circumvention of the controlling technological measure."

"while it may well be fair use for an individual consumer to store a backup copy of a personally owned DVD on that individual's computer, a federal law has nonetheless made it illegal to manufacture or traffic in a device or tool that permits a consumer to make such copies." This case made clear that manufacturing and distribution of circumvention tools was illegal, but fair use of those tools was not."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripping

Just insert the DVD into the iPad, you may need to fold the disc a few times to get it to fit in the slot though. 🙂

Seriously though, unless the DVD came with a digital copy, the only way to legally get it on the iPad is to purchase it via iTunes or other method to get a legit digital copy.

No. You are wrong. It is not illegal to rip a DVD you bought in order to transcode the video to use on your iPad. Read my post right above yours and I explain it. Adding a response that you have not researched is bad form. a 5 minute google search on ripping DVD legality and Fair Use would have set you straight.