What is the legal difference between copying a movie from cable and copying a movie from a DVD?
Krista asked:
I’m really curious because at the beginning of all movies it has the warning to not make any copies of the film, yet for years people make copies of movies shown on TV. What is the legal difference?
I’m really curious because at the beginning of all movies it has the warning to not make any copies of the film, yet for years people make copies of movies shown on TV. What is the legal difference?
As long as the copy is for your personal use, you can copy from either source without a problem.
If you copy (from either source) and sell it or show it for a profit, then you’re in legal hot water due to copyright infringment laws.
You are able to legally make a backup copy of a DVD you have bought. ~
The one from cable, you don’t own…
First off, cable and broadcast television is publicly accessible. Everybody in the industry understands that and that you cannot control the public. The movie studios are paid by the cable station/networks to air the movie. Furthermore, depending on the station or network, the movie may be interrupted by comercial and/or edited to remove objectionable material.
You have a legal right to copy a DVD for your own use as a back-up. It is part of what is known as “First right of ownership.” Video stores are allowed to rent the movies under this right. However, the copyright law prevents copying for distribution.
what is transmitted over the airways is free of the copyright for copies, however you still cannot sell copies without being guilty of copyright infringement. with the dvd it is like a computer program, you have bought the rights to that program for you own use, with the exception of making copy’s and or making a profit. Many of your movie rental companies are breaking the law because they buy the cheaper version at their local store to rent rather than the higher cost of the ones with the license to rent for profit.
For legal advice and legal information, go to this blog