msg43 Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Sorry if this is in the worng forum. I know this has been posted but I want a updated response. Well Is Downloading TV Shows Legal in the USA? I know that movies, cracks, songs are not legal to download. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
.KICK Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I don't think so Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212543 Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen1090 Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 i heard that u are allowed to after they have been aired but i aint guaranteeing anything Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212548 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted January 1, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 1, 2005 No, because only the copyright holder can determine who is allowed to distribute them or not. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212551 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon2611 Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Hmm not sure its a bit of a grey area althhough i doubt riaa will be busting down ya door for downloading the odd episode youve missed of your favourate tv show every once in a blue moon. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212554 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JnCoKiLLa Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I we can Record them and its 100% legal Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212555 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoXY Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 obviously not...they have license, and so only certain people can release them...ie: TV stations... and music downloading is leagle...in Canada....to a certain extend...:D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212559 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mud W1ggle Subscriber² Posted January 1, 2005 Subscriber² Share Posted January 1, 2005 Its an interesting dilemma this question. After all, is it illegal to record a TV program onto a video cassette or DVD? After all, it was broadcast over what amounts to a free-to-air medium (assuming it was not off cable) So in theory, you could record all episodes of Stargate off TV and not be illegal. However, is downloading exactly the same content off of eDonkey illegal, its just a different delivery method. But in answer to your question, yes its probably illegal. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212560 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted January 2, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 2, 2005 bangbang023 said: No, because only the copyright holder can determine who is allowed to distribute them or not. 585212551[/snapback] I'm going with bangbang023 on this one. Even though you may be able to watch an episode on your TV and ever record it for later viewing, downloading of an episode is certainly a violation of copyright. For one thing, cable fees are a large part of many station's revenue. If you decided against having cable in your house and downloading all of your TV shows then they would receive neither the cable revenue nor the advertising revenue (since the ads are likely to have been stripped out and you wouldn't be counted statistically as a viewer). Milamber said: However, is downloading exactly the same content off of eDonkey illegal, its just a different delivery method. 585212560[/snapback] It's a delivery method that they don't get a piece of the action of. Cable and satelite subscriber fees, in part, offer significant revenue to many TV stations. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212570 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toology Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I serious doubt it is. Look at radio, you can listen to free music. But is downloading the same music legal? Nope. Also, listen to the threatening disclaimers you get when you watch football, baseball, etc. on tv. You have to have "expressed written consent" to even record the game on tape. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212581 Share on other sites More sharing options...
youlle Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 in fact in 90% of the world its illegal to use a VHS recorder or DVD recorder to record tv broadcasts without written permission of the tv station its just the fact that sony, philips, etc all argued that recorders have legal uses as well as illegal uses. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panacik Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 No it is not. Also you are not suppost to record from the TV in the eyes of the law either. Just like if you have a radio in your car, you are not suppost to play it when other people are in there as it is only you who is paying for the right. At least these are the rules in the UK, so i suppose the US could be different? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212592 Share on other sites More sharing options...
msg43 Posted January 2, 2005 Author Share Posted January 2, 2005 Well I don't have cable I have local broadcasting so let say I missed the amazing race (a reality show) and I download that. Then I would be breaking the law? Or wouldn't I because its a reality show? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212595 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toology Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 The only exception would be TiVo, but of course you can't distribute the hours of recording on TiVo like you could a tape or DVD. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212602 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted January 2, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 2, 2005 Rich said: No it is not. Also you are not suppost to record from the TV in the eyes of the law either. Just like if you have a radio in your car, you are not suppost to play it when other people are in there as it is only you who is paying for the right.At least these are the rules in the UK, so i suppose the US could be different? 585212592[/snapback] I believe that you are allowed to record a television show in the US for your personal timeshifting use. I could be wrong, though... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212604 Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrike Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I'm going to say no, because of all the licencing stuff that everybody else has said. And also because so many shows release box sets, if you had a great digital TV rip, and got caught, they might say you were pirating the DVD. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212608 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kagaku Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 It's illegal not only because you're redistributing the content without the permission of the copyright holder(s), but because most, if not all, downloadable releases of TV shows don't contain the commercials. Commercials are what pays for almost all TV broadcasts, so you're basically getting the show without paying for it, no matter if it was broadcast over the air for free or not. Look at it this way: it might be legal to record a TV show to VHS/DVD for your own personal usage, but you can't start making copies of that tape and giving them to everyone in the world. That's the illegal part. You can record a TV show to your computer 100% legally, just don't redistribute it to anyone. That being said, I've enjoyed watching the new seasons of Stargate SG1 + Atlantis and Battlestar Galactica. Thanks SkyOne for broadcasting it two months ahead of the US! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212612 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted January 2, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 2, 2005 kagaku said: It's illegal not only because you're redistributing the content without the permission of the copyright holder(s), but because most, if not all, downloadable releases of TV shows don't contain the commercials. Commercials are what pays for almost all TV broadcasts, so you're basically getting the show without paying for it, no matter if it was broadcast over the air for free or not. 585212612[/snapback] Whether or not your physically see the commercials is a bit of a moot point. For all they know you could just be going to the bathroom every 15 minutes. You need to be statistically counted as someone who has seen the commercial. That's based on the Neilson ratings and then extrapulated for every cable/satelite user. If you don't have cable and you're downloading the episodes then you won't be counted even if you see the ads. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212643 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick H. Supervisor Posted January 2, 2005 Supervisor Share Posted January 2, 2005 As far as I can figure out (and this is without any kind of legal knowledge), any kind of recording is illegal unless you own the original, and the recording is for your own use. EDIT: I typed this bit after the rest of the message, but it fits here. Like fred666 said, I think you can record for personal timeshifting use, but of course, it is for personal viewing, not lending/selling to someone else. My reasoning for this is that you pay a t.v licence (you should, anyway), and you pay for the ability to view things like Sky. Therefore, you have paid for the right to view the channel 24/7 if you wish. So, if you want to record something for later viewing, it should be alright, so long as you don't keep it. But over time, things have become regarded less and less as major crimes. Lending books is still illegal, yet if you tried to turn yourself in for it, the police would probably just laugh at you. People don't really care if you record things from the radio for your own use. Music distribution on the internet is a big thing right now, with things like the RIAA trying to stop it. But like these things before, there will probably be an end, where people just turn a blind eye to it. After all, thats what the public is doing now, isn't it? If someone told you "Oh yeah, I downloaded this really cool song the other day", you're hardly going to react the same as if they had said "Oh yeah, I killed some guy the other week while I was on Heroin". I'm sleepy, so this might not have made much sence. I apologise... EDIT: Bugger, I forgot to answer the question :p From what I have written, I would then say that downloading an episode is illegal. you didn't own the original and you didn't necessarily pay to have the right to view it at the time it was recorded. I also think that being caught downloading it will be taken very seriously, because it would be like downloading a film, wouldn't it? Wow...I really need to go sleep... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585212690 Share on other sites More sharing options...
msing Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 Does this mean TiVo's are illegal? You are recording the shows right? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585213115 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted January 2, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 2, 2005 msing said: Does this mean TiVo's are illegal?You are recording the shows right? 585213115[/snapback] I believe they are covered by your right to record a television show (in the US) for your personal timeshifting needs. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585213129 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PseudoRandomDragon Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 msing said: does this mean TiVo's are illedal? 585213115[/snapback] Suits have been filed against them, but I wouldn't use Tivo anyway as they record and send your viewing habbits. It is illegal, but they don't really go after people unless they are sharing stargate episodes or episodes ripped from DVDs. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585213132 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted January 2, 2005 Veteran Share Posted January 2, 2005 PseudoRandomDragon said: Suits have been filed against them, but I wouldn't use Tivo anyway as they record and send your viewing habbits.It is illegal, but they don't really go after people unless they are sharing stargate episodes or episodes ripped from DVDs. 585213132[/snapback] I think the basic use of TIVO is okay but not the distribution to other people. I think some TIVOs can network, can they not? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585213138 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kagaku Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 A Tivo is just like a VCR, they're prefectly legal for personal usage only. It's distributing the copyrighted works that gets you into trouble. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585213174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xer34 Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 I remember this in a thread a while ago. Technically you can record off the tv for your own viewing pleasure. However according to the law you cant give your friend a copy of last nights show to watch because thats illegal. That would include downloading so yeah. Quite dumb IMO. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/265381-is-downloading-tv-shows-legal-in-the-us/#findComment-585213186 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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