Song of the South on DVD...sorta

[Chris]

No, there's not a problem discussing this. Its when we post links to potentially bootlegged/copyrighted materials that it becomes a problem. I don't see how they can legally be selling a DVD even if it's a "backup copy". Reproduction of any kind violates copyright, and while you may be able to make a copy for yourself, it's not really legal for another company to presumably step in and do it for you.

Disney may not have 'stepped in' because they may honestly feel it's not worth the time and money for a potential lawsuit, and being located in the UK complicates things, too.

[hillneerg]

Did a little more research.
The company concerned is one that offers general DVDs for sale and is in the USA which made me think that it was a genuine offer. When I got it, (and the exchange rate made it very, very cheap) it was obvious that it was a cheap copy made on a home DVD recorder with a badly photocopied cover (which didn't fit as it was from the video sleeve -I hadn't realised at that time that it had not been officially released on DVD). I buy DVDs from the States quite often as there are many (especially 1950's Sci-Fi B movies) that are just not released in the UK and had presumed that it had been released over there but not in here. These are genuine DVDs and I usually get them via Amazon. It was after I made enquiries (as it was obviously a copy) and read all the "copy of your own video" stuff that I thought it sounded a bit odd.
It seems this company makes a habit of issuing DVDs from TV recordings etc as well as selling "genuine" DVDs. In other words, they tape the TV program, put it on DVD and then sell them. The quality is very poor.
Thanks for clarifying it. I'll know better in future. Please don't buy them or we will never get a proper DVD released. If I had known, I would never have bought it and I apologise for being fooled. There is only one Disney.
Keep it legal and write to Disney instead (or add your name to the Amazon waiting list). Let's have the real thing.
Hillneerg

[Ezra]

Originally Posted by hillneerg

The explaination given is that you buy a second hand copy of the video. They make one back-up copy for you on DVD, buy the video back from you and send you uoy of the DVD and charge you for that plus the work entailed less the buyback price of the VHS tape. If it is illegal, I am surprised that Disney haven't stepped in.

This is highly questionable legally. You can only have fair use copies of a product that you own. In this scheme you own the original for how long? a day? Besides, I believe if you have made fair use copies of something, and you sell the original, then the copies you've made should go to the new owner or be destroyed. Maybe that's just SOP and not a legal requirement?

[tonemangoldfarb]

Yes, this film would be lovely to see. If Dumbo can be released, why not this?

[Ezra]

I agree. The minstrel show the crows put on in Dumbo is an embarassment.