I know someone asked this before, but I don't find the answer satisfactory, so again, if anyone can answer this I would be greatful ; is it legal to WATCH (not sell or give out copies) of a TV show ? I mean you are allowed to tape TV and watch it whenever you want, why would this be illegal ? Because you share it ? Thanks in advance
2006-08-25 08:17:31 · 8 answers · asked by Nothingness 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
if it is for personal use then you should be fine! but if you invite even 1 friend over then you may be crossing some lines! if you loan the tape out then you would also be crossing lines!
most of the time this is over looked anyway unless you have untrusting friends i wouldn't worry about it!
if you try making any kind of money off it like having a show at your house calling it a "movie/tv show title here" party then you can get fined!
Good luck! I know i had my mom tape me tv shows when i moved out of home! i didn't have any tv reseption and no cable yet but the tapes came in handy!
Good luck
Mad luv
2006-08-25 08:25:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a violation of copyright law to download TV shows. By downloading, you are participating in the distribution of the show. Unless the distribution is ok with the copyright owner (ie you download an episoide from the company's website or you pay the money to itunes to download Lost), this violates the copyright.
It is an open issue in the courts if tivo is a violation of copyright, the case saying VHS was ok has been pretty much gutted by later cases.
2006-08-25 08:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by blah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were illegal, they wouldn't be able to sell VCRs and DVR/TIVO devices. Yes, it's perfectly legal to record TV shows for personal viewing. What IS illegal is selling tapes or DVDs of copyrighted programs.
2006-08-25 08:25:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is legal to download and record it for your own non-commercial use. You cannot reproduce and/or distribute it to anyone else. You cannot charge others to view it. You can invite your friends over to watch it with you; but you can't make them bring the beer as a condition of allowing them to watch it.
2006-08-25 08:29:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No to the downloading only if you have TIVO.
You are allowed to watch the TIVO broadcast as many times as you want.
2006-08-25 08:23:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There's nothing wrong in downloading audio-visual material from Internet as long as you meant it for your own personal and private use (just don't re-sell it)
2006-08-25 08:23:42 · answer #6 · answered by Lil' Gay Monster 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah go ahead what do you think made the VHS so popular.
2006-08-25 08:19:45 · answer #7 · answered by locksniffer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
its not legal
2006-08-25 08:20:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋