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Lee Koo
Community manager |
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Is it legal to make backup copies of my purchased DVDs and Blu-rays?
Dear CNET members,
Happy Friday! Before we hop into this week's topic, I'd like to bring
your attention to a couple new features on CNET. First up, comments on
CNET product reviews! Nothing gets me more excited than seeing members
express their thoughts on products, and now we are providing a space
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Bransford, to explain how it works; maybe you can even share that.
Check it out and enjoy folks!
Now let's get started with this week's topic from Michael, who wants to
know if it is legal to make backup copies of his purchased DVDs and
Blu-rays.
Here's the scenario, you purchase a DVD or Blu-ray disc, and you'd
like to back it up. Just in case something happens to it, you'll still
have your backed-up copy to use. So is it legal to do? Some people
tell you it's OK as long as it's for personal use and you are not
distributing it. Some people say it's illegal even if it is for personal
use. So dang it, which is it?
Well, I'm no lawyer, but as a few members expressed in their answers to
Michael, it's both legal and illegal. Say what?! This topic has
been debated over and over again with court hearings and
ambiguous and confusing laws. Fair Use Trademark law in the
U.S. allows you to make a copy of the media that you bought for
personal use. But under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), if
the media has copyright protection built in, the act of using any software
to circumvent or crack that protection to make a backup copy is illegal.
It's a catch 22 if you ask me.
Michael, because the act of circumventing copyright protection is
illegal, it's unfortunate but we can't really discuss or offer
you any advice on how to make backup copies of your DVDs/Blu-ray discs.
However, our members have swung by to tell you their opinions on the
matter, so folks please join in the discussion. I love to hear your
thoughts, but please keep the discussion civil. Thanks for your
contributions and have a great weekend!
Cheers!
-Lee
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Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com |
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TOPIC OF THE WEEK |
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Q: Is it legal to make backup copies of my purchased DVDs and Blu-rays?
I am wondering if there is a way to make backup copies of my media. Back
in the day when I purchased a new album (black acetate records), I
would copy it to reel to reel and put the album away for safe keeping.
I still do the same today and I also make backup copies of all my
CDs. My problem is what can I do to make backup copies of my DVD and
Blu-ray collection. I would hate to see something happen to them and
have to purchase them new again. Is there a way that I can do this?
But first is it legal to do as I get conflicting answers that it is
illegal to back them up even if I purchase them for my use and own
them. What's the difference between this media and my records and CDs
that I have backed up? Please help explain this. Thanks.
-- Submitted by: Michael
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 A: Featured member solutions |
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Thanks to all who contributed! |
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NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION
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Q: What's the best for a PC life: Sleep, hibernate, or shutdown?
I have two Dell desktop computers, one for me and the other for my
wife. We use our computers for a few hours daily, and I'm not sure
what is best to use. In the Windows Start menu, shall I "shutdown"
every night, use "sleep", or the "hibernate" option? What are the
differences between sleep and hibernate options? When it sleeps or
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difference in hard-drive use and life expectancy in the PC depending
on which method I use? In other words, if I put the computer to sleep
or hibernate every night, instead of shutting it down, am I shortening
its life? Please note, my only concern is shortening equipment life, not
power consumption. Thanks!
-- Submitted by: Andre' G.
If you have an answer to this question, click here and click the "reply" to submit your advice, suggestions, opinions, or tips.
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