VHS tape question

[luckykey3]

I've noticed that people selling VHS tapes that are filled with content, such as movies etc., also include 'sold as blanks'.  Is there a reason for that?  I have a feeling I know why but I want to make sure.

[luckykey3]

@7606dennisOh well, I guess it's the trash can after all. 

[7606dennis]

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@luckykey3 wrote:

@7606dennis  Actually it kinda makes me angry ... I mean, it's MY TV, and MY video of the show and MY work editing out the commercials, etc., so why can't I do what I want with it.  Now if I had bought the video from them then it's their work and I can see my not making any money on it. 

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Actually, I believe you could legally resell that video, but, of course, you couldn't make copies of them to sell.

[luckykey3]

@7606dennisI was just going to say that there are people selling movies that they bought on here ... so wouldn't I be doing the same thing? 

[7606dennis]

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@luckykey3 wrote:

@7606dennisI was just going to say that there are people selling movies that they bought on here ... so wouldn't I be doing the same thing? 

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Not unless you were selling the commercially produced copy that you had bought from the copyright owner.  I really do think you should visit the Copyright Office site. 

Just as if you buy a book, you have the right to resell that book.  You do not have the right to make a copy of it and sell those.

[luckykey3]

@7606dennis  Makes sense dog gone it.

[monster-deals]

Its all for commercials and local programming.

I have about 5 nerds on call for live TV recorded VHS and Beta tapes.

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

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@monster-deals wrote:

Its all for commercials and local programming.

I have about 5 nerds on call for live TV recorded VHS and Beta tapes.

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I figured as much......I'm sure a lot of the old commercials shown on youtube originally came from an ebay sale.

[bluecow_moocow]

I can say from 1st hand knowledge VHS tapes are no longer a subject of copyright investigation. Nor are cassette tapes, 8 tracks or Beta Tapes. Factually it is correct about the pirating and technically it is definitely illegal, but there is nobody getting paid with US tax dollars investigating any tape medium in the year 2019. Fellow eBayers may bust your butt, but not the Copyright Office of the US government, they are already facing severe budget cuts and are focused on digital and internet exclusively. Common sense is the best approach.

[bluecow_moocow]

I was just chiming in in a friendly way because my cousin works there and I asked 🙂 figured I would just let everybody know what I heard from someone who works in copyright enforcement, just in case it sounds like I am trying to be a "know it all". I didn't know until I asked.

[luckykey3]

Thanks for sharing that info. I appreciate it.

[7606dennis]

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@bluecow_moocow wrote:

I can say from 1st hand knowledge VHS tapes are no longer a subject of copyright investigation. Nor are cassette tapes, 8 tracks or Beta Tapes. Factually it is correct about the pirating and technically it is definitely illegal, but there is nobody getting paid with US tax dollars investigating any tape medium in the year 2019. Fellow eBayers may bust your butt, but not the Copyright Office of the US government, they are already facing severe budget cuts and are focused on digital and internet exclusively. Common sense is the best approach.

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Actually, it is the owner of the copyright that would be the one to bring suit for infringement.   While I don't believe that the US Copyright Office would specifically investigate the sale of outdated technology being used to infringe on someone's rights, the copyright owner could, in an effort to protect their rights, file suit for infringement regardless of the media used to infringe those rights.

[luckykey3]

So, just as with politics ... whom does one believe? LOL, But thanks to you both for your input.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Technically, blank VHS tapes do not qualify for Media Mail shipping. A tape with recording on it can qualify, as long as it doesn't contain advertising. That might be another reason.

[luckykey3]

@ my-cottage-books-and-antiques ... I've noticed that several selling ones that have stuff on them say they are being sold as blank tapes for obvious reasons.