Qn about copyright laws
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Qn about copyright laws
If a group of friends come together and form some sort of DVD library, where we can watch each other's dvds basically for free, are we breaking any copyright laws?
We're not charging anything, but the end result is that people get to watch movies for free without purchasing the dvd - which doesn't seem all that different from video piracy.
We're not charging anything, but the end result is that people get to watch movies for free without purchasing the dvd - which doesn't seem all that different from video piracy.
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That situation should be covered by the First Sale Doctrine, the same law that lets video stores rent out the DVDs they buy.
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We pay income tax. Public libraries get funds from the tax, buy lots of DVDs and loan them out without charge. They ain't breaking any laws
The moment you rip from the DVDs, burn your own DVD+/-R and loan them out to friends, then you are breaking the laws. Loaning out the original DVDs to friends is not against the laws.
The moment you rip from the DVDs, burn your own DVD+/-R and loan them out to friends, then you are breaking the laws. Loaning out the original DVDs to friends is not against the laws.
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What you described is cool. You are in a sense loaning each other the 1 bought copy of the film. The moment you start making copies for each other you step into danger zone.
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You can loan the discs to your friends, but you cannot show the disc's contents on a display to a bunch of friends. Such a situation is considered a "public performance" and is a violation of the copyright law.
So if you just have friends over to your home - no problem. But if you establish a business and let anyone come in off the street and watch the discs you're going to "federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison."
So if you just have friends over to your home - no problem. But if you establish a business and let anyone come in off the street and watch the discs you're going to "federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison."
#8
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Originally posted by jough
You can loan the discs to your friends, but you cannot show the disc's contents on a display to a bunch of friends. Such a situation is considered a "public performance" and is a violation of the copyright law.
You can loan the discs to your friends, but you cannot show the disc's contents on a display to a bunch of friends. Such a situation is considered a "public performance" and is a violation of the copyright law.
DJ
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It depends on how you define "friends."
I mean, technically file swapping is legal among "friends" too - I just happen to have thousands of friends who live all over the globe!
I mean, technically file swapping is legal among "friends" too - I just happen to have thousands of friends who live all over the globe!
#10
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Originally posted by jough
It depends on how you define "friends."
It depends on how you define "friends."
I mean, technically file swapping is legal among "friends" too
DJ
#11
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Originally posted by cultshock
That situation should be covered by the First Sale Doctrine, the same law that lets video stores rent out the DVDs they buy.
That situation should be covered by the First Sale Doctrine, the same law that lets video stores rent out the DVDs they buy.
#12
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Originally posted by Easy
So if I have a library of 500 dvds I can legally rent them? Interesting... In truth, my selection is as good or better than both local rental places.
So if I have a library of 500 dvds I can legally rent them? Interesting... In truth, my selection is as good or better than both local rental places.
DJ
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Originally posted by djtoell
You might be prevented by various state and local laws that might require licenses to conduct business, collect taxes, etc., but no copyright law would stop you.
DJ
You might be prevented by various state and local laws that might require licenses to conduct business, collect taxes, etc., but no copyright law would stop you.
DJ
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Keep in mind the name of the type of law you are worried about infringing: "copy"right, i.e. the right to make copies of a product. You are in no way coming close to that, and as discussed in other posts, you are not exhibiting the movies publicly and charging admission. What you're doing is called FUN.
#17
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Originally posted by MisterHowie
Keep in mind the name of the type of law you are worried about infringing: "copy"right, i.e. the right to make copies of a product.
Keep in mind the name of the type of law you are worried about infringing: "copy"right, i.e. the right to make copies of a product.
DJ
#18
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Originally posted by djtoell
You might be prevented by various state and local laws that might require licenses to conduct business, collect taxes, etc., but no copyright law would stop you.
DJ
You might be prevented by various state and local laws that might require licenses to conduct business, collect taxes, etc., but no copyright law would stop you.
DJ
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Originally posted by Easy
That seems wacky to me. If I show a movie to 300 people at a PTA meeting I have likely violated the copyright law. If I rent the same movie to 300 people and actually make money off their comprighted material, I have violated no law. I'm the only one who thinks this is strange?
That seems wacky to me. If I show a movie to 300 people at a PTA meeting I have likely violated the copyright law. If I rent the same movie to 300 people and actually make money off their comprighted material, I have violated no law. I'm the only one who thinks this is strange?
#21
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Originally posted by jim_cook87
Do you also find it odd that a teacher can take a single copy of a book and read it aloud to a class and nobody has a problem with that, but if they show a movie to the class the MPAA screams "COPYRIGHT VIOLATION"...
Do you also find it odd that a teacher can take a single copy of a book and read it aloud to a class and nobody has a problem with that, but if they show a movie to the class the MPAA screams "COPYRIGHT VIOLATION"...
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I believe there are often relaxations on copyright protections for solely educational uses. Reading a book in class is not only harmless it's also virtually unstoppable if it were in fact in violation of any copyright statute. The law as written is not always the same as the law as enforced.
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DMCA made it harder for educational purposes on digital copies. So you can't really edit, alter, copy a perfect copy of a dvd even for educational purpose.
Still fuzzy on it all, but that's my understanding of it.
Still fuzzy on it all, but that's my understanding of it.
#24
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Originally posted by Easy
That seems wacky to me. If I show a movie to 300 people at a PTA meeting I have likely violated the copyright law. If I rent the same movie to 300 people and actually make money off their comprighted material, I have violated no law. I'm the only one who thinks this is strange?
That seems wacky to me. If I show a movie to 300 people at a PTA meeting I have likely violated the copyright law. If I rent the same movie to 300 people and actually make money off their comprighted material, I have violated no law. I'm the only one who thinks this is strange?
DJ
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Actually, a classroom isn't considered a "public" performance since not anyone can attend. Likewise, offices or clubs with closed memberships may show a film to a group without being in violation.