I want to copy about 20 DVD's and send them to my friend and his troops in Iraq. Could I get in trouble for that even though its not a financial gain? I know they screen all the packages coming in.
2007-08-22 05:29:49 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Label them 'Family Pictures'.
2007-08-22 05:36:19 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes it's illegal, on the books anyway. As a practical matter, however, somebody would have to actually notice that the DVDs might be pirated and contact the original publisher to verify that fact before calling the federal authorities. It's really only underground commercial distributors who transport bulk quantities of illegal DVDs intended for sale who so far have ever gotten charged with anything. Bootlegs obviously intended for personal use usually just get confiscated by Customs and get thrown out, if they bother to take issue with them at all. Statistically, the government was far more successful in enforcing 1920's Prohibition than these copyright laws, and we all know how well that worked.
If you want to avoid any possible problems, simply burn copies of all your DVDs, keep the copies, and send the originals along with the original DVD covers. There is certainly no law that says you can't mail somebody an original DVD that you paid for, and nobody is going to know that you have copies in your home. Keep in mind, however, that homemade DVDs tend to scratch more easily so they will require more care in handling.
2007-08-22 15:35:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well what they dont willnot hurt you however you cant get in trouble for it ....Part of the problem is that some of the tasks you can do on your computer are indeed considered illegal, even if common sense suggests that they should be perfectly legal and fair. For example, if I buy a DVD, it is unclear to me why it's illegal for me to copy it to my laptop or Sony PSP so I can watch it while on a trip, or if I buy an album from the iTunes Store, why I can't convert that data into a format that will work on my non-Apple mp3 player. Both of those are illegal, and one of the big issues that we'll be debating for the next few years is this very topic of "fair use" versus "digital rights management". And it'll be tough to solve, too.
2007-08-22 12:37:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't matter that it is not for monetary gain, it is
It is still copywrite infringement and it is still illegal and if you get caught you could be looking at 5 years in prision and up to a $250,000 find for EACH violation.
This is the law:
"The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000."
Just send the originals and ask that they mail them back with they are done with them.
2007-08-22 12:42:54 · answer #4 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldnt do it.. afterall though you are not having any financial gain you are preventing certain profit from the movie companies... which is the whole reason behind them putting the warning in the movies(THEY WANT THEIR MONEY!)
Really theres no telling if you will get in trouble or not, depends if you get caught and whose checking the package.
2007-08-22 12:36:09 · answer #5 · answered by UTLonghorn(Pre-Med) 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they are dvds you made, your video, there would be no problem. if they are dvds say Paramount Pictures made, your on your own there.
2007-08-22 12:42:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The artists probably don't mind, you don't mind, the our soldiers don't mind. But! the Middleman/woman would have a pissie fit.
2007-08-22 12:34:59 · answer #7 · answered by bobanalyst 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
why not just send the original tapes and avoid a problem
2007-08-22 12:33:37 · answer #8 · answered by Nora 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's illegal, though there's no guarentee you will actually get in trouble.
Of course, there's no guarentee that you WON'T, either.
2007-08-22 12:33:44 · answer #9 · answered by Citicop 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋