Speaking of Ebay(Dec99)..is this legal???

[KimRaye]

I'm not sure what to think about this. I received the item today and, the case was a little crumpled on the corner. I figured it happened in transit, no biggie. The listing said *VHS * SEALED*, here's my dilemma. It's obviously a boot-leg copy, transferred from a DVD. I know this because at the beginning, 'Stuart' mentions to try the 'interactive' part of the DVD and, this is a VHS - no interaction going on there! It WAS sealed but, obviously by some other kinda machine, it wasn't the same kinda plastic you normally get, it was hard. They did a good job with copying everything, down to the labels but, is it my place to do something about this? And, if so, what?

I don't even want to leave a feedback at all, right now.

Anyone??

 

[jfulcer]

I have heard a lot about bootleg copies of tapes being sold this way, so it doesn't surprise me.

You could report it to your local police, but I'm not sure they would pursue it. I would chalk it up as a lesson learned and just purchase the tapes through normal sources.

 

[RNMOM]

Isn't there an FBI warning on each and every tape and DVD about it not being legal to copy this? I would give your local FBI office a call and ask about it.

 

[ASFCurly]

The cop who works security for extra money on Saturday nights at the movie theater that I work at caught someone with bootleg copies of movies, these were movies taped from the theater, the movies were not out on video yet, and the person went to jail

 

[SonjaB]

Here's EBay's policy on bootleg copies from their website:

Unauthorized Copies

Do not list unauthorized (such as pirated, duplicated, backup, bootleg, and so forth) copies of software programs, video games, music albums, movies, television programs, or photographs on eBay.
Examples
The following items may not be listed on eBay:
Pirated copies of video games
VHS or CD-R copies of television programs taped off of television
"Backup" or "archival" copies of software programs
Pirated copies of music
"Bootleg" recordings of live music performances
"Home video" versions of a movie still in theaters

Warning
Listings offering unauthorized copies of software, games, music, or video may be ended early by eBay. Multiple violations of eBay's unauthorized copy policy could result in the suspension of your account.



I would definately report him. I might give the FBI office a call as well. Hope this helps, I'm sorry you were misled by this person.

 

[KimRaye]

Thanks everyone. For what I got, I'm not displeased, I was just thinking legality.

Thanks Sonja. I guess that's why they don't "ADVERTISE" more explicitly.

 

[PamOKW]

The tape you have is an illegal copy. However, it's hard to say whether the copy was made by the person who sold it to you or whether they may have purchased the tape not knowing for sure it was illegal. They sell tapes like this on the street all the time. It "looks" real to the buyer. Friends have had tapes where it is actually someone sitting in the movie theater with a VCR.

The old adage....Buyer beware.

 

[Towncrier]

I am not a lawyer, but I believe that you are allowed to own bootleg material (or at least that's what I've been told). You cannot sell that tape nor can you give it away. But you are not breaking any law by having it in your possession. I would go ahead and let eBay know that you ended up with a bootleg copy so that they can keep an eye on the seller. Assuming that they really care.

 

[binny]

I got a bootleg CD last year and I was LIVID!!!

It wasnt eve that great of a copy and I was mad because I figured it was just robbing the artist of his work.

I reported the guy to ebay and he is no longer there ( under that name Im sure he's there as someone else)