What law was broken here?

[SB118]

Just heard from a friend who runs a garage unit, he's been done like a kipper, and it's all his own fault. :)

Last week they had a couple of shady types come around offering ripoff DVDs of the new films out, this isn't uncommon, and they looked to be brilliant copies, brightly printed covers, printed DVDs, they could almost pass for retail items if it wasn't for the fact these films are still in the cinema.

He bought a couple and took them home to watch. Which is where he found a problem. The discs themselves were totally blank :D Never been recorded onto. Opps.

So who did what in this situation? The person selling the films? Is it copyright infringment if they didn't actually supply a film? My friend for buying what he thought was a knockoff copy of a film? Or has he been guilty of being too daft for his own good? (i'm pretty sure that's going to be in the law books somewhere if you look hard enough ;))

Cheers

[Rossco]

So who did what in this situation? The person selling the films? Is it copyright infringment if they didn't actually supply a film? My friend for buying what he thought was a knockoff copy of a film? Or has he been guilty of being too daft for his own good?

No idea - sounds to me like both parties have committed an offence.

The first being some bizarre copyright breach followed by fraudulently selling the discs, the second being your mate breaching yet more copyright laws.

Other than that i havent got a clue - your mate should perhaps use his brain in future rather than attempting to buy dodgy gear. ;)


(i'm pretty sure that's going to be in the law books somewhere if you look hard enough ;))

Im sure you are right. Why dont you look it up?

[Deano]

No idea - sounds to me like both parties have committed an offence.

The first being some bizarre copyright breach followed by fraudulently selling the discs, the second being your mate breaching yet more copyright laws.

Other than that i havent got a clue - your mate should perhaps use his brain in future rather than attempting to buy dodgy gear. ;)



Im sure you are right. Why dont you look it up?

Failing that get a cheap DVD and TV in the garage ! ;)

[Stevie.P]

Your mate should know better than to dodgy DVD's from a guy who is selling them to you at your place of work:( .As has already been placed onto this thread there will be copyright laws broken the best way would be to try looking on the web for F.A.C.T ( Fraud Against Copyright Theft ) they might be able to help you.

Let's hope your mate has learned his lesson:eek:

Take it easy..........:baa:

[XDC]

The seller of the bogus DVDs commits an offence of Criminal Deception.

[LB]

The Seller commits an offence under the copyright Act 1998
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880048_en_7.htm#mdiv107
May also be guily of conspiracy to defraud the copyright holder or going equiped to cheat under the theft act. Theres probably offences under the Trade Marks Act 94 as well if there are trademarks repoduced on the packing.

I don't think the purchaser has committed an offence though? Anyone?

[SB118]

Never occured to me about the trademarks that had been copied for the cover images. Jut confused about copyright breach due to the fact the discs didn't have anything on them.

[hydracobra]

sorry to butt in , i heard it was against the law to copy them but not to buy them, dont know if thats true or not?

[LB]

SB118 yeah missed that bit when I skim read it - ignore the copyright breach then but the rest is correct.

Hyra - always assumed that, that was the case but its more an offence dealt with by trading standards, police usually just turn up to prevent a breach of peace so not sure what the law actually says on the person buying it.