Illegal forum topics - where do you draw the line HEXUS?

[autopilot]

Following the locking of this thread; http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=58128 I wondering exactly where the moderators draw the line on acceptable discussion, and why.

Now, I'm not saying i agree or disagree, and I completely respect Directhex's and Hexus right to lock any thread. I just want to know exactly what is and what is not allowed to be talked about, because it's all becoming a bit fuzzy, and though it would be a good monday afternoon discussion. So, when is talking about ripping a CD/DVD allowed and when is it not? Because it sometimes seem's it's more based on who made the software, rather than the fuction it provides. In other word's, Sony made it so that must be ok.

I fully understand the situation Hexus are in regarding illegal topics, but ripping DVD's and CD's is becoming almost a daily mainstream activity. Not just for us enthusiasts but for the average consumer in general; including my mother! Indeed hexus even review products that require the ripping of data from a CD or DVD to forfill their main function.

MP3 technology is taking over the world and with the new ipod supporting video, as well as Creative's new player which supports Divx, portable video is also becoming more mainstream. Not to mention some stuff Windows Media Edition supports.

Pirating material is obviously wrong and should not be talked about on Hexus. I understand the P2P situation too. But the 'grey' area of technically illegally ripping your own bought films and music is still surely ok as the big companies like Sony, microsoft and Apple etc require/allow you to do it. If you could not rip CD's and DVD's and only play DRMed files their sales would shrink rather a lot for a start. You don't ban discussion of the new Itunes or Nero Burning ROM etc, so where do you draw the line? Or more importantly, where should we forum users draw the line?

Cheers Hexus.

PS, please don't take this in any way a criticism of Hexus. Just thought it would be an interesting topic while it continues to rain outside!

[Moby-Dick]

At the moment UK Copyright law doesn't allow for "backups" to be made without it specifically being mentioned ( which on most DVD's its not )

[Moby-Dick]

which Sony products require you to RIP a DVD ? None spring to mind.

At the moment there aren't many media centres that are product by the "big name" suppliers. They are design'd to allow you to record and playback Video recorded from the TV tuners - ( does MCE 2005 allow Divx playback ? I assume newer versions will allow you to record to the hard drive in a DRM protected format . but that is possibly a way off.

[tim_n]

Except personal ones 'o course. When my father (evil as in darth vader...) comes back I'll get some advice on copying DVDs. He's a copyright/patent man.

As in my other spam like posts, if you want me to pose questions to him about patents etc, let me know. Actually, I might just open a thread...

[5cupa]

normally a good interesting thread often is spoilt by the few idiots who like to post illegal comments therefore contaminating the rest of the otherwise useful legal information.

[5lab]

the other thing that has never been approached - i've not seen a dvd or game in years that does not state that re-sale is illegal, yet the 2nd hand forum on here regularly trades in such items...

[Howard]

At the moment UK Copyright law doesn't allow for "backups" to be made without it specifically being mentioned ( which on most DVD's its not )

Would the authorities really be bothered though if they found someone copying DVDs/CDs/whatever for their own personal use, just for convenience purposes or whatever?

[5cupa]

the other thing that has never been approached - i've not seen a dvd or game in years that does not state that re-sale is illegal, yet the 2nd hand forum on here regularly trades in such items...

oooh your gonna be popular

[Howard]

5Lab hit the edit button now

[5cupa]

Would the authorities really be bothered though if they found someone copying DVDs/CDs/whatever for their own personal use, just for convenience purposes or whatever?

in a word yes they most probably would. good old Pete Waterman

[Howard]

So ripping CDs for your MP3 player is illegal?

[Moby-Dick]

I have a feeling it is.

legally its probably the same as taping your records / cd's for the car.

I think the "fair use" definition hasn't been extended to mp3's officially.

[Howard]

I have a feeling the authorities won't be terribly bothered

[5cupa]

Making copies for yourself is about as far as you can go legally. Posting files on your Web site for friends to download is a no, or lending you mates a CD (officially), unless you have express permission from the copyright holder to do so. And you can't download an MP3 file from a site unless the person running that site has the permission of the copyright holder to give it to you. and sticking you mp3 into a shared access folder is self explainattory........its a fine line and with the whole anti-piracy internet issue being raised to such prevalents who knows what level they will prosecute at

[TiG]

Two parts to the discussion, Hexus as a Company can't afford any sort of legal action, therefore its their policy that anything viewed as illegal has to be stopped. I think thats the main guidance is if its illegal or of a non family friendly material its a no no.

The only thing i'm confused about is why does MS Media Player have a "rip" cd function?.

TiG

[Howard]

Making copies for yourself is about as far as you can go legally.

That's what I meant.


Yeah copying CDs for your mates or posting MP3s on a website is definitely illegal. THe difference is night and day