Mike Myers

This is outta line, folks.

I'm posting a simple request for experiences with a certain foreign e-tailer. There are lots of similar threads in the Store Forum (oh, I see, I see, I'd better posted it there, but how about just moving it?).

Few hours later the thread has mysteriously been closed. No explanation is given by the perpetrator. And the title has been changed to "deliberately rule breaking bootleg site reference".

It is not nice to accuse a law-abiding citizen of "deliberately rule breaking". I didn't know that this company was selling any bootlegs. I intended to order legal Malaysian VCD releases there. I was also unaware of any rule that prohibits references to bootleg sites in this forum. So where's the deliberation?

Am I supposed to thoroughly search any DVD e-tailer site for possible bootlegs before posting its URL here? If so, you're expecting the impossible.

And now for the legal part: it is absolutely lawful to own so called bootlegs of a movie if you also own a legitimate copy of the same movie. So anyone who owns, let's say for instance, the Star Wars Trilogy on VHS (as long as it's a retail VHS and not a self-made TV copy of course) or LD is perfectly entitled to purchase and own the DVD bootlegs that are widely available. This is federal law, guys.

lordzeppelin

Your best bet is to email a moderator, rather than posting like this in this forum. They can answer your concerns easier via email. IBTL!

roseart

You find a site that has Spiderman & SW: AOTC VCDs, and you don't think they are bootlegs?


Forum Rules:

The following is strictly prohibited on the DVD Talk Forum and may result in immediate account suspension:

Moderators will not tolerate links to sites that sell bootlegs.

Mike Myers

I didn't see any of these titles on the site in question. If I had, I would not have posted the URL here.

Thanks anyway for clarifying the forum rules for me.

benedict

Thanks for the jurisprudence lesson Mike.

I'm far from convinced that your "argument" is consistent.

If/when you email me about this, please bear in mind who wrote the forum rules and who co-moderates this particular forum.


Benedict

carnifern

It is legal to own backup copies of films but it is not legal to purchase bootlegs. If you pay to receive a bootleg video or DVD then you are purchasing illegal merchandise. I worked for a video company for 7 years so trust me on this.

benedict

As indicated here, and several times in the International Forum of late, promoting bootleg sites is clearly outside the DVDTalk.com forum rules.

Clearly most people here appreciate that and play within the rules.

Mike has been suspended for a week for ignoring them.


Benedict