Is it against the law to sell recorded sitcoms? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

knightrider24 · 12-12-2002, 04:14 PM

I've had a lot of people ask me if they can purchase my shows. I told them no because I thought it was against the law. If anybody knows where the law stands on this please let me know.

dawsongirl · 12-12-2002, 05:09 PM

Technically, yes. It's illegal to sell shows you taped off TV. That doesn't stop people from doing it on ebay, but you're not supposed to. Trading is better.

callmetootie · 12-12-2002, 05:16 PM

Yes...but I've been doing it for 2 or 3 years, and haven't been in trouble. It's not like the police are gonna put you in the slammer...

dlemond · 12-12-2002, 05:28 PM

Some people try to cover themselves on ebay by saying items are offered "collector to collector" or by auctioning anything (a book, a pen, whatever) and saying, "and with your winning bid you get free all 120 episodes of ...."

Others just auction them straight up - Boy Meets World has a bunch for sale, I've seen 90210 and others.

If you just want to help people out, charge them the cost of the tape and shipping.

I don't encourage you charging people extra money for episodes. If anything, then just a little for your effort.

I would hope people here are of the same mindset.

We are all fans.

Someone might hook you up eventually, as people here have done for me.

Mijada · 12-12-2002, 08:29 PM

You would be violating copyright laws if you sold them even though a lot of people do do it and get away with it. I definately wouldn't try selling any of that stuff on Ebay because I know someone who was selling copies of music videos on there and someone reported her and now she is banned from selling stuff on Ebay.

Brian Damage · 12-13-2002, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by callmetootie
Yes...but I've been doing it for 2 or 3 years, and haven't been in trouble. It's not like the police are gonna put you in the slammer...

Callmetootie, I wouldn't be so quick to admit that. Just because something hasn't happened to you yet, doesn't mean it never will.

Brian · 12-13-2002, 07:52 PM

Technically it is illegal. However, the problem is that hundreds of people sell shows every day over the internet. There are many tape trading sites and forums on the internet. If they prosecute one person for selling copyrighted material, that doesn't stop other people from doing it, too. They just don't have the time to punish every single seller because there would be too many to track down.
One thing that is for sure illegal when you sell shows (or any stuff) over the mail is if you commit mail fraud. People think it's no big deal when they get money from someone but don't send the package. There have been several less than honest individuals who have done this stuff and have been banned from this site from using it to commit these acts.
I don't sell or buy episodes myself. I only trade.

ChildStars · 12-14-2002, 09:05 AM

Tape selling is illegal and is a pretty costly hobby if you sell. I don't think they will hunt you down for selling (say....Silver Spoons for $50)but they definitly will if you sell continuously. Several people email me or PM me everyday wanting to buy some of my shows (not to be rude) but i don't ever respond. I refuse to sell my stuff. If you are busted for selling, it is a $500,000 fine OR up to 5 years in prison. Everything that you have ever watched is copyrighted and belongs to someone so you have to be extremly carefull. Also be cautious on who you sell your stuff to because there are crooked people out there who will want the merchandise and keep thier money as well. I did sell one time and the person said they didn't recieve it (little did he know I had gotten a tracking # which led to his house) so he had it and was lying and wantng his tapes and money. Also little did he know (as well as myself at the time) but it's also illegal for you to buy those videos.
My advice to you John would be sell with caution because there is always someone that would love to see you fall. If you have any questions give me a holla.

Robert Tilton · 12-17-2002, 03:01 AM

Let me go ahead and say that if you're planning to distrubute tapes of shows to other Homo Sapiens, just charge for labor.

And speaking of labor, a good worker is singing with a Dingat.

Yep its time for Archie.

Gotta run.

12-12-2002, 04:14 PM	#1
knightrider24 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2002 Location: california Posts: 175	Is it against the law to sell recorded sitcoms? I've had a lot of people ask me if they can purchase my shows. I told them no because I thought it was against the law. If anybody knows where the law stands on this please let me know.

12-12-2002, 05:16 PM	#3
callmetootie Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2001 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 4,768	Yes...but I've been doing it for 2 or 3 years, and haven't been in trouble. It's not like the police are gonna put you in the slammer...
	__________________ Andrew Carden

12-14-2002, 09:05 AM	#8
ChildStars Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 21, 2002 Posts: 73	Tape selling is illegal and is a pretty costly hobby if you sell. I don't think they will hunt you down for selling (say....Silver Spoons for $50)but they definitly will if you sell continuously. Several people email me or PM me everyday wanting to buy some of my shows (not to be rude) but i don't ever respond. I refuse to sell my stuff. If you are busted for selling, it is a $500,000 fine OR up to 5 years in prison. Everything that you have ever watched is copyrighted and belongs to someone so you have to be extremly carefull. Also be cautious on who you sell your stuff to because there are crooked people out there who will want the merchandise and keep thier money as well. I did sell one time and the person said they didn't recieve it (little did he know I had gotten a tracking # which led to his house) so he had it and was lying and wantng his tapes and money. Also little did he know (as well as myself at the time) but it's also illegal for you to buy those videos. My advice to you John would be sell with caution because there is always someone that would love to see you fall. If you have any questions give me a holla.
	__________________ Do your part Show your love and support for the former Child Stars

12-17-2002, 03:01 AM	#9
Robert Tilton Man of Barnes Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 437	Let me go ahead and say that if you're planning to distrubute tapes of shows to other Homo Sapiens, just charge for labor. And speaking of labor, a good worker is singing with a Dingat. Yep its time for Archie. Gotta run.
	__________________ Pure Oxygen Breathed In Carbon Dioxide Breathed Out And The Brady Bunch Is Like Perfect. Righteous.

12-12-2002, 05:09 PM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Technically, yes. It's illegal to sell shows you taped off TV. That doesn't stop people from doing it on ebay, but you're not supposed to. Trading is better.

12-12-2002, 05:28 PM	#4
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Some people try to cover themselves on ebay by saying items are offered "collector to collector" or by auctioning anything (a book, a pen, whatever) and saying, "and with your winning bid you get free all 120 episodes of ...." Others just auction them straight up - Boy Meets World has a bunch for sale, I've seen 90210 and others. If you just want to help people out, charge them the cost of the tape and shipping. I don't encourage you charging people extra money for episodes. If anything, then just a little for your effort. I would hope people here are of the same mindset. We are all fans. Someone might hook you up eventually, as people here have done for me.

12-12-2002, 08:29 PM	#5
Mijada Spencers mom Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 02, 2001 Location: eastern US Posts: 4,093	You would be violating copyright laws if you sold them even though a lot of people do do it and get away with it. I definately wouldn't try selling any of that stuff on Ebay because I know someone who was selling copies of music videos on there and someone reported her and now she is banned from selling stuff on Ebay.

12-13-2002, 07:52 PM	#7
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Technically it is illegal. However, the problem is that hundreds of people sell shows every day over the internet. There are many tape trading sites and forums on the internet. If they prosecute one person for selling copyrighted material, that doesn't stop other people from doing it, too. They just don't have the time to punish every single seller because there would be too many to track down. One thing that is for sure illegal when you sell shows (or any stuff) over the mail is if you commit mail fraud. People think it's no big deal when they get money from someone but don't send the package. There have been several less than honest individuals who have done this stuff and have been banned from this site from using it to commit these acts. I don't sell or buy episodes myself. I only trade.