I wanted to start a "club" at work so we can all swap DVD's, not copies, the original ones, but one of the guys thinks it might be illegal to do this.

I can't see how it would be illegal as it's only like me lending someone a DVD, they watch it and give it me back, I'm not making any money out of it.

Anyone know if I would be breaking the law ?

I wouldn't have though it was illegal Nick if no money is changing hands! IIRC Fitness First gyms run a similar scheme for members.

Originally posted by nick2
I wanted to start a "club" at work so we can all swap DVD's, not copies, the original ones, but one of the guys thinks it might be illegal to do this.

I can't see how it would be illegal as it's only like me lending someone a DVD, they watch it and give it me back, I'm not making any money out of it.

Anyone know if I would be breaking the law ?

An interesting one Nick - it's effectively distribution and not "home" use in the sense they intended. Even though MP3s and films are uploaded and swapped gratis using P2P etc, this is still classed as illegal because it is the distribution agreement that is being breached.

Originally posted by nick2
I wanted to start a "club" at work so we can all swap DVD's, not copies, the original ones, but one of the guys thinks it might be illegal to do this.

I can't see how it would be illegal as it's only like me lending someone a DVD, they watch it and give it me back, I'm not making any money out of it.

Anyone know if I would be breaking the law ?

perfectly legal, you own a license to that copy, within the restrictions (ie not showing for profit or in public) you can do what you like with it.

Load the DVD and read the opening burb :thumbsup:

Just had a quick look at the FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) website and under their FAQs it says:

Q: Am I able to show films to a group of people even if I don't charge for it?
A: No

I guess this applies to DVDs as well.

I'm not planning on showing any films, just having a "club" where we can swap DVD's, take them home and watch them.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Just had a quick look at the FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) website and under their FAQs it says:

Q: Am I able to show films to a group of people even if I don't charge for it?
A: No

I guess this applies to DVDs as well.

yes, so if I buy a DVD it's illegal for my family to watch it.

Anyway, he wasn't talking about showing it to a group of people, he was talking about lending it to a friend. This is covered under fair use (which whilst not legally defined in the UK is created by case law).

Originally posted by Cyclone
yes, so if I buy a DVD it's illegal for my family to watch it.

Anyway, he wasn't talking about showing it to a group of people, he was talking about lending it to a friend. This is covered under fair use (which whilst not legally defined in the UK is created by case law).

I thought he called it a "club". It could be argued that this is tantamount to 'organised distribution'.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Just had a quick look at the FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) website and under their FAQs it says:

Q: Am I able to show films to a group of people even if I don't charge for it?
A: No

I guess this applies to DVDs as well.
That's poop that... ifyou're not charging to see the DVD why on earth should it matter?

I know it doesn and says this at the beginning of movies but to b fair... it's a bit petty.

I think, if you read the legal jargon it actually mentions "lending" as prohibited.

if u followed every rule exactly when u bought a DVD nobody would be able to watch it!

It's so daft that I can borrow a DVD from the library but not lend one to a relative. I suppose we could get round it by saying we were giving the DVD to the other person to keep.

I've got a big extensive DVD collection, I lend a lot of the DVD's out to friends, both at work and students I'm at uni with. I share a lot, I buy a movie, and if they wanna borrow it, they can feel free.

Even if it's technically 'illegal' which I highly doubt (lending, exchange of DVD for money), they're never going to crack down on it! :)

So ... swap DVDs as you wish but avoid "organising" it through a "club"!:)

Originally posted by cgksheff
So ... swap DVDs as you wish but avoid "organising" it through a "club"!:)
IANAL but, that's what I was thinking, I think the organisation of it would be the illegal part. Casual lending is probably OK.

Originally posted by serapis
I think, if you read the legal jargon it actually mentions "lending" as prohibited.

probably wouldn't stand up in court though.

But people could be right regarding the 'club' idea.

How about you call it the poker club, and thus all you are doing is lending dvd's to your friends who you play poker with.
Plus you get to have a poker night!

as far as I'm aware. Its illegal to show it in public to a groups, it is illegal to loan out as an organised club, it isn't illegal to lend it to a friend.

You own a license for a copy of a copyrighted disc (the original) for non-commercial home use.
This license is transferable, so sell the disc to someone for 'one license of another disk'
perfectly legal

DVD's are overrated. One doesn't get this kind of hassle with wax cylinders.

Do you know of a wax cylinder rental club?

Originally posted by Lurch
Do you know of a wax cylinder rental club?

Maybe we should start one! :clap:

Yes, a Wax Cylinder Rental Club - what a superb, cutting edge idea! Er.......does anyone know of an Edison Phonograph Rental Club?

I have got a portable wind-up gramaphone, though and a copy of 'To Each, His Own' by the Ink Spots on shellac (plus lots of rubbish classical ones). How about forming the Sheffield Gramaphone/Port and Brandy Appreciation Society? What could be more enjoyable than loafing around listening to crackly old records and getting sloshed? In period costume, perhaps (please, no menstruation gags)?