Circuit City: DMCA Violator? |
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One story that's been making the blog rounds recently is the one where Circuit City allegedly violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by way of a DVD video transfer service. For ten bucks, Circuit City'll take your DVD and rip it into iPod format. For $20, they'll do three, and for $30 they'll do five. The sign even had a caveat: "Transfer must be from an original copy of your DVD collection." Grammatically incorrect, but a caveat nonetheless.
Blogger Seth Finkelstein of Infothought did some fact-checking on his own and called Circuit City. He was able to speak to Bill Cimino, Circuit City Director of Corporate Communications, who said:
"The sign is incorrect and not authorized and we are in the process of making sure the sign is removed."
"We offer two services. In a small number of stores, we will transfer your commercial CD's to a DVD, and in other stores, we will transfer your home VHS to a DVD. We do not transfer pre-recorded VHS or DVD, to DVD."
Thing is, though, the Circuit City store where the sign was displayed is already in a lot of hot water. Chapter 12 in the copyrights section of the US Code specifically states that "No person shall manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide, or otherwise traffic in any technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof, that—". Yep, they certainly seem to fall under that "offer to the public" part.
It seems this has turned out to be an isolated incident. Circuit City is a big business, and they know that it doesn't pay to try and stick it to the MPAA. But still, one bad apple...
Opinions? Thoughts? Want ads? Leave a comment.
Via Consumerist
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Comments [refresh]
Not every Circuit City was offereing that service, but from the sign it looks like it was DVD to iPod Services, not opposing the DVD Copyright by copying illegal DVDs. Why else would 2 mp3 players that offer video be featured on the sign.
Not every Circuit City was offereing that service, but from the sign it looks like it was DVD to iPod Services, not opposing the DVD Copyright by copying illegal DVDs. Why else would 2 mp3 players that offer video be featured on the sign.
This is from the circuit city on 14th st in union square. I saw this 2 months ago and was going to send something in...but was really just too lazy. I'm surprised they can get away with that, it seems like just one employee is doing it. The sign is so craptacular.
What Circuit City is doing can be considered a DMCA violation, but a judge would have to determine that. I'm glad that they are doing it. I hope it goes to court and the Circuit City wins. There is no reason why they shouldn't be able to do it as a service.
Dreary79 is so right, i mean if i buy my own DVD, don't I have the right to add it to my iPod. Three Cheers to CIRCUIT CITY for giving me the opportunity to add movie like FORTY YEAR OLD VIRGIN
Actually...you CANT do that. It's retarded...but it's true. You can only make back-up copies for the same device, you can't make it for something else. That's why you can't burn Apple's itunes video's to a DVD.
NYC i definetly saw this sign for a very long time since last summer i believe. if u guys request i might be obliged to tell.
The sign put together rather stupidly (I must admit), is not for DVD Duplicates, but for VHS to DVD transfers, basically meaning that you can take your original copy of Star Wars that you copied from your Local Video Store, and put them on DVD for $19.99. Everyone knows making DVD copies is ILLEGAL, but not if its a home movie of Granny on the Tilt-a-Whirl screaming Stop it!!! LOL
Wasn't Besy Buy doin' the same thing?? I think I seen a sign there too, oh well don't care anyway