If I get caught with copied dvds, will I be in trouble or get detained?

Question

Im going on holidays to australia and have to go through US customs and Australian customs with my collection of backed up movies copied from my originals. I bring them instead of my originals cause I don't want the originals to get ruined! If I get caught, will I get in trouble or be detained?

Answer 1

US Customs may arrest you, and may prosecute you. Copyright violation is a serious offense, and they do crack down.

Also, remember that with DVDs, there are not just copyright issues involved. While Copyright law allows backups for personal use in some situations, the Digital Millenium Copyright Act prohibits any activity that bypasses encryption, including making copies of commercial DVDs, which are encrypted.

So, while Customs may or may not care, you should should check with an attorney to see if making those copies was illegal.

Answer 2

THEY PUT WORD OUT ON THE NEWS WHERE I LIVE THAT THEY WERE GONG TO GET PEOPLE HERE FOR THAT(BOOT LEG SELLING) IVE TALKED TO PEOPLE THAT GOT BUSTED FOR THAT THEY ALL GOT A SLAP ON THE WRIST SOME CASES ARE STILL PENDING THOUGH MOST GOT THEIR SOME OF THEIR EQUIPMENT TAKEN THEY SAID IT WAS HARD TO PROVE I GUESS IF YOUR SMALL TIME CORNER STORE STREET HUSTLER THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES CAUSE THEIR STILL OUT THEIR SOME SAW THE REPORT AND DIDN'T STOP USE YOUR HEAD QUIT WHILE YOUR AHEAD WHAT YOU DO ALWAYS COMES BACK TO YOU ONE WAY OR ANOTHER