Is it illegal to record shows off of t.v.?

[youngnhappymamma]

A lot of times they sell tapes of shows on t.v. (children's shows, home improvement shows, star trek, etc....) so does that mean it's illegal to record the shows? Rather than paying buckage for the tapes? What do you all think?

[CanOBeans]

Nope, you are allowed to copy TV programs for your personal use. It falls under the Fair Use law. Not that the industry isn't trying to curtail those laws right now. :

The newest digital recording device -- I forgot what it's called -- is under fire right now because it lets you skip commercials as well as send copies of your recording to up to 15 of your friends. But just using your VCR to record is totally legal.

[youngnhappymamma]

thanks for the info! so why do they sell copies of the shows,then?

[velveeta]

I think that it's b/c when you buy the tape of the show, it is usually of a higher quality, and it has its own handsome case!

Plus, if you make a recording off of TV, you are not going to resell it for $$. That's what they don't want you to do.

Jean

[kama'aina mama]

I expect the tapes you can buy don't have commercials, which would be nice. And also, you may have missed a show or been unaware of it and want a tape of it. Suppose we found out that mamapie was a guest on Oprah and had been demonstrating comfortable nursing positions for toddlers (as if!) I'd want a tape of that, but I wouldn't probably know about it in time to tape it myself.

[youngnhappymamma]

good points!! I guess I get it now! (and will no longer feel guilty about my taped shows!! )