Legal Question in Entertainment Law in Wyoming

Selling Video Tapes of Shows From Television

There was a show that aired (in repeats) several years ago on the Family Channel called The Young Riders. I taped all these episodes and now others want copies of the shows. Is it legal to charge $5 per episode for my time in taping each episode? The purchasers assure me that the shows will be for their own personal use and will not be re-broadcast or shown publicly. I would like to charge the fee for my time and the wear and tear that the taping will do to my machine. Is this legal? I would be sending the tapes all across the U.S.


Asked on 9/03/99, 4:11 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Lubnau Lubnau Law Office, P.C.

Re: Selling Video Tapes of Shows From Television

You would be violating the copyright laws of the United States Government. You can avoid violation by getting permission of the Family Channel to distribute their television shows. The television program is the property of the Family Channel, or the people who produced the show. The aired it on television for your own personal use. They control the distribution of their television program. To accomplish what you wish to accomplish would require the permission of the owners of the television program.

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Answered on 9/08/99, 10:14 pm


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