Legal Question in Business Law in Virginia

How far do copyrights extend?

FIRST: I have hundreds of NFL games from the past 15 years on video tape. Is it legal for me to sell them on E-Bay or another auction site if I sell the original tape and do not make copies? I have been doing this in the past and haven't been questioned about it. SECOND: If not, is it permissible to sell a certain lot of football cards or another item and give the tape away as a freebie to the winning bidder? This second option is something I've seen quite a bit of on E-Bay - people selling a minimal number of virtually worthless trading cards (five, or so) and including a "free" video. The bidders know they're really not bidding on the cards, but actually the video. I would just hate to get rid of my tapes by throwing them away. Is there a legal way to get compensated for them?


Asked on 10/26/99, 6:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Press Chung & Press, P.C.

Re: How far do copyrights extend?

The broadcasts of the games themselves are copyrighted, and making and keeping copies for any reason other than watching it once time-shifted (i.e., you turn on the VCR when you are out and watch when you return) is a violation of copyright law. So selling them, or giving them away as a premium, is a clear violation.

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Answered on 10/27/99, 1:20 am


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