Matthew Hunter wrote: > On Wed, Dec 11, 2002 at 08:39:25AM -0800, Nytemuse wrote: > > >On Tue, 10 Dec 2002, Gametech wrote: > > > >>way. I won't hesitate to create backup copies, and I won't hesitate > to loan > >>my dvd's out knowing I've got a back up if it gets detroyed lost or > stolen, > >>I don't care it it's legal because if I have a disk get destroyed > you think > >>I'm gonna get a replacement for it for free? (or even cost of > manufacture) > > > >Actually, I think it might be legal...I'm not 100% sure this extends to > >DVDs, but I do recall hearing somewhere that it was legal to make a > >back-up copy of tapes and CDs *for personal use*. What's not legal is > >distributing those copies to ppl who haven't bought the merchandise > >through the industry. > > > Copyright law (ASUI, IANAL) has provisions for personal use, > including time-shifting (SC case law), backup copies, educational > use, and so on. I have always heard it expressed that backup > copies are legal. > > HOWEVER. > > If you loan that DVD to a friend you have to loan or destroy your > backups, too. This might be a good time to point out this is an international list and the laws on such things are different in different places. Just like in some countries you pay a levi on blank media to compensate the illegal copying you are obviously going to use them for and in some you don't. In some countries your can share with your friends and in some you can't. In some places you can crack encryption to allow accessibility and in others you can't. It's always worth checking the legal status of such things *in your own country*. Fides "I cared about not violating the law of the country I am operating in," - D Sklyarov.