Controversial topic!!!

[kiddnets]

Hey all - am new to this forum so this may have been knocked around ad nauseum - so sorry in advance. I know that this topic sparks a lot of moral debate bur I am just trying to get some facts to advise myself and others -

I own over 100 DVD's so I am a big comsumer. Myself and others are dying for Original Star Wars Trilogy and Indiana Jones Trilogy. I have purchased these sets multiple times on VHS. Now that I have a DVD set up - this is the last link to my VHS. Problem is Uncle George may take 5 years or so to release these titles. I will be first in line to purchase them when they come out but....

I see them available now on Ebay for a very reasonable price - I'm not an idiot so I assume something is not kosher - I assume that it is either a bootleg or international copy from laserdisk. Temptation is strong to claim my copy now but am unsure of the deal - so people -

1. Are these disks bootlegs or simply international copies.

2. If they are international copies I assume it is legal to buy and sell

3. If they are bootlegs - what is the deal - I have heard and read articles that they are illegal to sell but legal to buy. If illegal to buy is it akin to tearing the tag off my mattress?

4. If they are either illegal to buy or sell - how the heck are multiple copies available on Ebay?

5. On a similar vein I have seen people sell CD's of Howard Stern radio on Ebay as well - this is simply recorded over the radio - is this legit?

Many questions and looking for answers - please do not rip me for asking - trust me there are many people who are interested. I would never buy a boot if there was a legit copy - and I have no problems waiting for a new release to come out on DVD in the usual coarse - I just think that this is different - am I wrong? Info and opinions are appreciated! Not trying to create any trouble!

[Fisting Ackbar]

They are obviously bootlegs, and probably illegal although I doubt that the FBI would go after you for buying one copy.

Not sure about the Howard Stern cd but unless everything he broadcasts on the radio is copyrighted I don't think it's illegal.

[rtatick]

As I understand from my research, the DVDs are rips from previous laserdisc releases. This is not to say this is true, but this is what I have read in several places. Why don't you go ahead and get them and then let us know? :D Ha ha, j/k. Anyways, buy cautiously and continue to do research if you are unsure. I'm sure you can find someone out there who has them.

[Big Pudge]

1) BOOTLEGS
2) I think they are still legal to buy, if not legal than i dont think u will get arrested for buying them.
3) like i said, if you do decide to purchase these, i highly doubt any1 will slap ur hand at it. if you want them, get them.
4) its EBAY, ppl sell anything and everything on there.
5) Never heard of the CD's of Howard Stern, but that is a very good idea.


Lucas has said that the original series wont be available until after EPISODE 3 has been released. which to me makes sense, he is releasing them in order, Ep 1, Ep 2, EP 3, EP 4, EP 5, and last but not least EP 6.

I enjoy the films but am not Obsessed like so many ppl are, i can wait the while for these movies. hope this info helped u out!

[kiddnets]

Thanks for the comments - so the bottom line is it may or may not be legal but if it is not legal it is aking to speeding or tearing the tag off your mattress. I doubt that I will buy them but it is good to know if Lucas continues to drag his feet. I hear the SE's of Indy and Star Wars are pretty good and all six can be had for under $90!

As for Howard CDs- absolutely fantastic - I'm confident that these are ok - simply taping off the radio. I'm sure if Howie gets mad he will go after the seller for any money made. As for the discs - commercial free 20-30 hrs of stern for under $30! I endorse them highly