It certainly seems so:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...threadid=84187
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...threadid=92861
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...threadid=60379
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...threadid=86280

I sent an email off to the legal department at CTHV to see what they think of these topics being discussed at DVDTalk. I suggest DVDTalk adopt a strict anti-bootleg policy just like the big boys at HTF.

Geoff is in communication with Columbia Tri-Star about this. Unless there is evidence that they are bootlegs (there has been NONE yet), there's no reason to shut down the discussions.

It's quite easy to tell if it's a bootleg, but no one seems to care.

If you bought it from a Malaysian website (getvcds.com) it has to have a watermarked official Film Board of Malaysia government sticker on it. All legitimate movie releases in Malaysia must bare that seal by law. It means the Malaysian Film Board has inspected it, and verified that it is a legitimate release from the copyright holder.

If it doesn't have that seal, it's a bootleg, no matter what movie it is. Also, I've posted an email in the big CTHD thread from SPE Asia stating that they have not released a region 0.

Johnny,

In case you missed it. There IS a legit Region 3 DVD out there for Crouching Tiger.

But thanks for e-mailing the CTHV legal team.

G

Why do you guys even care? It doesn't effect you, it only effects those that loose money, eg. Lucas, but he kind of deserves it for being a slacker in getting out the Star Wars series. First, he didn't support the format, then he takes his sweet time remastering it. I'm sick of waiting for him to get his act together, so the only option, BOOTLEGS!

Don't get me wrong we are very much AGAINST bootlegs. I agree it's frustrating that lucas is dragging his feet but the answer isn't to pay someone who has stolen a film.

Geoff
While I understand the need to bar bootleg promotion, I just read through all of the supposedly illegal discussions linked above. While there are some odd memebers extolling the virtues of bootlegs, most of the discussion struck me as serious discussion of "what is and isn't a bootleg". I think there were some who bought a bootleg thinking it was official, and are now questioning how to identify bootlegs.

Furthermore, I didn't see a lot of "where to get bootlegs" linking going on, so I don't think it was a case of "go here and buy bootlegs." So I don't see any illegality in discussing bootlegs in an exploratory and educational manner. Bootleg threads don't necessarily condone or promote bootlegs, and most of them don't even link to bootleg sites. You do a good job of locking ones that do.

So, I am asking that individual threads on bootlegs be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and not summarily locked. Even The Digital Bits occassionally runs cover scans of bootlegs (which incidentally they must have purchased illegally) but for educational purposes. I would think that our discussions here are far less "illegal" and can be far more educational. I think it is important for members to stay informed on these types of issues, and sometimes a thread on bootlegs help satisfy that curiousity and prevent members from accidentally purchasing them. This is based on my experience that people are not interested in collecting bootlegs, and would sooner pay more for a superior "official" version, but are often swayed by curiousity or misinformation.

Of course, all topics are allowed at your discretion. Thank you for allowing the discussion to proceed this long. (BTW, if you'd like, we can start referring to you as "the big boys at DVDTalk" if it will help.)

:(