Backup Copy or Converting Media, Legal/Illegal

[syphic]

Hello everyone. I was just sitting around watching some of my VHS movies and was thinking. Why not convert them into DVD format and not worry about them turning old so quickly. Would this be illegal. Now the reason for the above heading is I know that making duplicate copies of something and selling it is legal but I have heard making a backup of any type of dvd is legal as long as it says backup on it. Is this true? If that is true why have I read it is illegal to convert a VHS to DVD if all you are doing is making a DVD backup copy of the VHS? Anyways maybe this is enough questions to get the comments rolling.

Thank you to all for any input,
Syphic

[OhioDave]

Syphic,
Here is the break down:

Copying VHS for personal use - LEGAL
Copying VHS for the purpose of resale - ILLEGAL
Copying DVD's for personal use - ILLEGAL
Copying DVD's for the purpose of resale - HIGHLY ILLEGAL

Currently, backing up / copying / cracking / ripping / burning or what ever you want to call it is VERY ILLEGAL... If you don't believe me, ask the MPAA or the RIAA. The reason it is illegal is because of circumventing the basic encryption on DVD violates the DMCA, The Digital Mellinium Copyright Act. There are many people that are trying to have the DMCA reversed, changed or ammended to allow coping for personal use. But for now, it is highly illegal.

[syphic]

I understand that making copies of anything copyrighted by someone else and selling is illegal and wrong. But for personal use or making a back for such purposes as to make sure you dont have to buy another copy of a vhs, cd, or dvd or anything for that matter makes no sense... Why pay twice... Thank you for your information. I am glad to know that.

What about just doing VHS to DVD? Your going from an allowable copy for personal use to not allowable for copying use?

[kyro]

is this for Canada aswell?

[OhioDave]

Originally Posted by syphic

I understand that making copies of anything copyrighted by someone else and selling is illegal and wrong.

Good, we're all in agreement about this one...

Originally Posted by syphic

But for personal use or making a back for such purposes as to make sure you dont have to buy another copy of a vhs, cd, or dvd or anything for that matter makes no sense... Why pay twice...

Well, here is the tricky part... for personal use, you can "backup" VHS and CD's. No problem. DVD's are another story. The reason DVD's are illegal is because of the basic encryption or "encoding" on a DVD. DVD's use a basic static encryption to prevent illegal copies and also to regulate trade. If you're bored, check out your DVD's and notice the region settings. North America is region 1 and there are all sorts of other regions for different parts of the world. To copy a DVD, you have to defeat the encryption which is a violation of the DMCA (see my earlier post). The first major DVD copying casuality, 321 Studios was shutdown because it sold a product that defeated the DVD encoding. Since you are not defeating any copyright protection, going from VHS to DVD should be legal.

Kyro, I don't know if this applies to Canada. The DMCA is an American law. I do know that Copyright laws do still apply...

In a nutshell, you asked if copying DVD's is legal... Answer: No. With that said, many people still do it and there are tons of tools to make copies of DVD, even some completely free ones. Here is a link to a DVD copying software review site - http://www.dvdcopyreview.com/. This is a hard law to enforce.

FYI, this applies to XBox, PS2 and Gamecube copying as well. All of those game media include encryption all covered by the DMCA.

I know I'm really raining on some of your parades, but when you buy a movie or game there are alot of people that made that product. They desurve to by paid for their efforts. Otherwise people wouldn't make these cool movies or video games anymore. Buy legal copies!!!

[syphic]

Thank you again for the clarification of why dvd can not be copied atleast in the USA. I will ask around and see what I can find out about VHS to DVD coping. Make sure there is nothing illegal with it.

I do want to make the note that I am a game programmer and can completely understand about making sure information is not copied. The video and game industries are very large and those people do need credit for thier time by being paid the right amounts without getting ripped of. I know as a game programmer than it takes a good 2 years and a team of atleast 5 to 10 to make a good game. And movies take alot of man power too with graphics effects counted. So to all you out there ripping copies for others and selling them. Do know that you are messing up peoples lives, like my own.

Anyways thats my spill and hopefully I can see where this vhs to dvd converting stuff is going to go.