2007-02-26 10:05:07 · 7 answers · asked by Beatrice Q 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Camcorders
So here's the low-down: I have to make a presentation for an English 102 project (with a video included...not a very long one, though), so I was thinking of putting various clips together from dvds that I own, but I never really understood that copyright law that is always shown at the begining of every movie. I just want to make sure that I won't break any laws by video taping small portions of the dvd to show to my class.
2007-02-26 10:49:16 · update #1
Snap I dunno, good Q!
2007-02-26 11:37:49 · answer #1 · answered by shameless :) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greetings,
Welcome to the strange world of copyright law.
If you own a personal copy of a DVD and you have a way of making a copy of it without breaking the encryption, then doing so is perfectly legal and fine. Of course the movie industry would disagree but we are looking at it from the point of law. The same thing applies to copying your own music CD. (With the exception that CD's don't have encryption.)
You are allowed to make a single copy in it's entirety as long as you own the item being copied. With DVD's, there is a legal "gotta" in the sense that you are not legally allowed to break encryption. If the encryption is that weak I have to ask why people would put it on their DVD's anyway. I think because of a legal issue.
So, if you can record parts or the entire DVD without breaking encryption, then you are within your legal right. If you make more than one copy, you are in violation. If you sell your DVD and keep the copy, you’re in violation.
Be careful of how you display the content. If it is for at home or private display and not for any type of money/favors/goods, you should be just fine. You should also be fine if only small sections are used in another film for documentation or for making a point or for reference. But even here, you are only allowed to show small pieces.
Then you have the real life side of things. Most people will never get busted for copying DVD etc. Of course it helps if you stay within the laws that are there to protect you as a consumer.
Hope that helps.
Jeff
Post Script - You have given more details, now I have more details for you. Regarding DVD clips and the like in a education classroom setting, there have been some rule changes. Go to and download This Week in Tech episode 78. (See link below.) Around 24 minutes into the mp3 they start talking about legal ripping and fair use for "Film Schools" etc but it loosely relates.
Basically, a lot of the copyright law and rules are all messed up….
2007-02-26 10:35:12 · answer #2 · answered by bd834 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh for christ's sake, it is for an educational school project (right?).
Just do it. Keep the focus on the project, not the clips that you are borrowing.
Here's some free music to use, as long as it is for a school project or personal usage...
http://www.freeplaymusic.com/
2007-02-26 12:58:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not illegal. That's like saying letting a friend borrow your movie is illegal. There's no profit involved, and the people are not keeping the movie, they are simply watching it. Hope this helps!
2007-02-27 00:56:00 · answer #4 · answered by evilgenius4930 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOu found the one loop hole
It's NOT illegal for editorial usage on TV or at a Library or for education.
So yes, it is legal to screen it in school as part of a school or teaching presentation.
2007-02-26 14:21:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should not be illegal as long as there is no profit, which you said there wasn't. Do not claim that you made the clips, basically, don't take credit for something you didn't do.
2007-02-26 10:08:50 · answer #6 · answered by Wolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the dvd is not documentary -YES! unless you ask for consent (in writing) from the producer.
But if it is a documentary dvd -No, since you will be using it for 'learning' / study purposes.
Hope you get good grade!!!
2007-02-26 12:18:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋