[mythtv-users] What NOT to do to your Myth box...

[Brad Templeton]

On Fri, Jan 14, 2005 at 03:19:04PM -0600, Andrew Close wrote:
> On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 13:02:49 -0800, Brad Templeton
> <brad+myth at templetons.com> wrote:
> > On Fri, Jan 14, 2005 at 11:34:22AM -0500, Paul Kidwell wrote:
> 
> <snip>
> 
> > And of course, most of those shows can be found via bittorrent, not
> > that I would advise you to violate any copyrights.  Not at the same
> > size you recorded them, though.
> 
> ooooo!  i had to reply to this.  or ask this question. :)
> is it really violating copyright by downloading bittorrented tv shows
> that you could record using your VCR/PRV/DVR?  (assuming you're paying
> for your cable or whatever service you're using...)
> if i'm already paying for the content and happen to mis-program my
> 'VCR' and don't get the show, then why can't i grab it via bittorrent?
> i'm not saying it's right or wrong, or that the MPAA won't knock on
> your door.  just asking if that would be a valid arguement.


Since lawsuits over this sort of thing are rare, it's hard to give
an exact answer.   Technically, it is a copyright violation, but
fair use rules are fluid.

Not every copy is a violation.  Recording a show to watch it later
is not a violation.  Recording a show and transcoding it to a
different format to play on a different device is not.  Making a
backup copy of something you legitimately own is not a violation.

Distributing copies to or from strangers is more likely to be
a violation.  It gets worse if the commercials are stripped, too.

However, when it's a program anybody can get off the air, the history
is people don't care as much about it, so you don't see a lot of
lawsuits.  But torrent sites are being shut down now, some for doing
TV, though more for movies.