I have a question and I don't really know if it's technical or legal or what. Maybe someone can tell me or at least offer up your opinion. I have been looking at the Ebay auctions (and no, mr. mod, this isn't a plug for ebay, by any means)- They sell these Vcd's on there. Okay now I know what a Vcd is--it's a Dvd movie that someone puts on their pc and then they somehow convert it to a Vcd which will only work on certain Dvd players. Now my question is, since it isn't actually a bootleg copy of the movie, it's an actual Vcd (according to the ads), is it really legal to do that or is it because they converted it and changed it into something else, that it makes it legal? I ask because they are considerably cheaper than the regular Dvd's and several sellers are offering them. Maybe someone can enlighten me here? I don't want to purchase something if it's not legal, but I do like the prices of them. Anyone?
Sorry, I don't know. They must be legal if there are lots of people selling them on Ebay. If they aren't bootleg or copies, I would think they would be okay.
First, check out this link VCD Info This will give you a good understanding of what a VCD is and somewhat how its made. Basically, I can take a DVD, compress the movie and rip it (with proper software) onto a regualr CD ROM, This is really just a copy and either A) eBay is not aware, or B) there is a loophole saying that its ok. I bet they are just not aware. No way they can catch everything. If you want to know eBays rules on it, I would double check with them. Most VCD's I have messed with have been decent quality. But remember, someone bought the DVD for $15-$20, they bought blank CD's at nearly a penny each and copied many to make what, $3-$4 each or what ever the price is. My opinion, dont support them. If your gonna do it illegally, rent the DVD and rip it.
Rob
Trolls... the other white meat
Posts: 288 | Location (City, State): Near Chicago | Registered: Fri September 19 2003
Thanks for that link, mac guy. I read the majority of it and it seems that company from the link is doing the same thing. Making the Vcd's themselves and reselling them and they have a whole website for it. So do you think that means it's not something illegal because they are changing the format of the movie? I just won't buy anything that's fishy, or suspect and I'm just wanting to find out if they can really sell these and it's not illegal. I know you can burn them for yourself just like copying vhs, but you are not allowed to sell those either, from a legal aspect. I don't know how to rip a movie or any of that and I generally rent them from netflix online or my local video store. I just saw Pirates of the Caribbean at the store for $20 and it's on Ebay for something like $6.95 and then shipping, which is a lot cheaper, but it's a Vcd. I realize the best bet is to buy the Dvd itself new.
I think its very fishy, changing the format of the movie does not give any one the right to copy and resell. Just like music, if I convert a mp3 to a wav file, I still cant legally share it.
But like I mentioned, there might be some sort of loophole in this.
I say go at your own risk, but on the other hand.. $6.95 plsu shippin, we'll say $10 total for something that might be crappy format. Might wish that you would have spent the extra $10.
Rob
Trolls... the other white meat
Posts: 288 | Location (City, State): Near Chicago | Registered: Fri September 19 2003
Oh no, I'm not going to buy any of them. I was really thinking it was a bargain until I read up on that site you listed. I did email ebay about them to find out what the deal is. I know they are slow about responding, but if they tell me anything (and I know ebay can be very vague at times), I'll be sure and let you know. I just don't think it can be legal because of the copyright laws. It's still duplicating a movie and the movie is copyrighted. So to me it's illegal. This one guy even says it's a Warner Bros. original Vcd, and Warner Bros. has an email there to let them know if you think someone is violating their copyrights. I emailed them too and told them I wasn't sure, but I wanted them to check into the item#'s and since the one guy did list it as a Warner Bros. original, I asked them if they made Vcd's themselves. I felt pretty silly asking them that, but thought it best to go ahead and ask the source. I don't know if they will reply to me directly or not. I figured it was worth a try. I wasn't actually trying to get anyone into trouble, but I'd hate for another unsuspecting person (like me) to fall victim to yet another Ebay scam. There have been quite a few of them on there. I guess I'll wait and see if I hear back from either of them. Thanks again for your help on this. I had that little feeling...and I should always trust my gut feelings. Guess I'll remember that next time.
<Zena>
Posted
That was really me posting. It's very late and I just forgot to log in...just so you know.
To bring this one up to date a little. If the stuff is copyrighted then you aren't supposed to copy it without permission.
Just like the VCR tapes - they usually leave you alone as long as you don't try to sell them.
They just sat pretty hard on the bootleg music industry, and from what they're saying bootleg movies are next. The people who own the copyrights are really getting screwed.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- -~ Mimi -~-~ http://am-pugs.com -~-~ "When we stop learning we die." -~ -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Posts: 5097 | Location (City, State): Oklahoma | Registered: Sun June 22 2003
PD - Most movies are copyrighted. It's technically illegal for you to copy a movie from the TV or from another tape. But realistically, the authorities only get involved if you copy and sell or rent.
With the music industry, people were downloading from the internet and not buying the albums. That's one of the main reasons a radio station messes with the beginning or end of just about every song - so it can't be copied plainly. There were just major rulings in the music industy to try to fix the problem.
The news crews are saying that the movie industry is next. And any copy of anything that was not made legally is a bootleg copy if you try to sell it.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- -~ Mimi -~-~ http://am-pugs.com -~-~ "When we stop learning we die." -~ -~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Posts: 5097 | Location (City, State): Oklahoma | Registered: Sun June 22 2003
quote:Originally posted by Purfect Dream: on copy right issues the person must file a copy right with the office ...other wise they can't claim it to be cop writed
copyrights are different for different things. It just depends on what its about. There are some very gray areas with copyright laws on certain things.
To copyright a poem, all one need do is put it in an envelope and mail it back to oneself and don't open it. then it's considered copyrighted. So you see, it really depends on what it is.
Vcd's can be produced by someone like Warner Bros (orginal vcd's) and be legal. Vcd's copied from a Warner Bros. movie would be considered bootleg and in violation of copyright laws. Of course if you don't sell the vcd that you make, then it isn't technically illegal, even though technically, you aren't supposed to copy any movie on vcd, dvd, or vhs. Screwy stuff, copyrights.
Posts: 3078 | Location (City, State): The North Pole | Registered: Sat July 26 2003
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