1. Is it legal to copy DVD's you have bought to your laptop?
2. I have tried using 'Handbrake' to do this, but it appears this leaves some copyright coding on the copy ie the picture is coded and the sound not clear.
Is there free software to get around this?
Ta
1) probably not but you would be hard pushed to find anyone who cares so long as that's where they stay.
2) dunno, is there a box you've not unchecked?
Handbrake has worked fine for me in the past... most of the time. I would suggest that the DVD you are trying to rip has a form of encryption that distorts the audio and video; that's happened to me in the past.
For Handbrake, you probably need to get the libdvdcss file. That should remove the encryption.
Try these instructions: http://grandiloquentmusings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/ripping-encrypted-dvds-with-handbrake.html
just done a few meself, i found [url= http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter/ ]freemake[/url] worked well for me.