iTunes able to defeat DVD copy protection legally and natively?

iTunes 9 looks to be bringing with it a ton of new features that will expand Apple's software connections to beyond just its own ecosystem.

Leaked screenshots, if they're to be believed, show that iTunes 9 will have Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm integration. iTunes 9 might even sync with non-Apple devices, which would be a huge departure for the company.

The next big feature that's rumored is DVD ripping support. AppleInsider is sceptical of the latest shots hosted on the Boy Genius Report which showed "Play DVD" and "Import DVD" buttons at the bottom of the program window.

While a DVD playback feature isn't shocking at all, the notion that one could import – or rip – a movie from a DVD for playback on an iPod or iPhone would go against what the movie industry has been trying to protect for so long. Granted, movie ripping from a purchased, licensed DVD for private use would be little different in practice than ripping a CD for playback on an iPod, but defeating DVD copy protection would mean that Apple would have very special exemption from the DVD Forum.

Of course, these are all just rumors and speculation until iTunes 9 hits the web, but it'll be a new version that many will be eagerly awaiting.