Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Iowa

My step son is in the national guard on his way to serve our country in Afghanistan. He has requested me to send movies for his down time. My question is can I legally copy movie DVD's and send them to him as long as we have already purchased them and we are not selling them to make a profit?


Asked on 9/03/10, 9:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Luedeman solo practitioner

Good question. I think the Digital Millenium Copyright Act would prohibit what you intend to do.

At this point, whether "fair use" applies to making a copy for your own personal use is unclear. It does seem that you could maybe make a copy for yourself and send him the original.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/aug/12/real-realdvd

As always let your conscience be your guide. My son's been there too.

Here's an article on the subject.

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/04/dvd-copying-cas/

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Answered on 9/08/10, 1:49 pm


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