Copying "Out-of-Print" Videos?

[execmail77]

First, let me emphasize that I'm in absolute agreement with everyone on other similar threads here: that to copy another current producer's video-- for profit or otherwise-- is unethical, unfair and pretty distasteful. That said, let me offer this...

How does everyone feel about making copies of videos produced by companies that have long since gone COMPLETELY OUT OF BUSINESS? I'm not talking about currently in-business companies (TC for instance), who simply decide to discontinue certain videos for a length of time. They obviously retain the rights to re-release those for future sales, if they so choose.

I mean OLD, dead-and-buried companies. Names like: Solefully Yours, TJ Productions, Concrete Man and Bloodstone Designs, to name just a few. These have all been defunct for a number of years, so their products are no longer available to ANYONE as NEW. And any "copied" sales at this point can not possibly harm them financially in any way.

I've been looking for two old TJ Production videos for eons ("Safeword" and "Bill and L"). I'm sure people out there have originals of these, but I've found no one willing to part with them (they must REALLY be that good!).

What if someone like me is willing to pay for a copy of these "out-of-print" videos, knowing full-well they aren't the originals. But all the same, is willing to pay the costs for the VHS tape, the shipping, and for someone's "time" needed to make these second generation copies and send them to me...?

Everyone still feel equally stongly about this too being a "no no?" Really curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

Thanks,

[email protected]

 

[ticklehound]

I see no reason why you can't do what you're saying. As far as what's "ethical" - I see nothing wrong. In all fairness, how else would you be able to see these videos. You can't steal money from a defunct company.

On a side note, in all brutal honesty, ANY company that sells media (I mean music, movie, software, TV, etc) knows that bootlegging is going on - and yet they get by. I copy stuff all the time, but I never try to make a buck on it myself.

As far as tickling videos are concerned, I don't do it because I don't have anyone I care enough for to share it with. Plus I support small companies - I only steal from the multibillion dollar conglomerates. When I see a tickling company in Forbes, then all bets are off.


Hound

 

[ticklevids]

Copyrights do not expire

Even though you THINK these companies are dead and buried they may only be dormant and may come back to life at any time. Or, they may also sell their ownership in the videos you mention to another active company. TJ Productions has already done that with "No More" and "Her Turn" which is now exclusively owned by Silvercherry. There may be more on the way. Those copyrights are still as active and enforceable as they were as when they were actively on sale.

Let's see if we can stay above the 'napster' mentality of the music theives. No matter how you present it, duplicating legitimate copyrighted material for others is illegal.

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

You should try to find out from others here if they can still be reached (like if their emails are accessible from here). Many video producers register here to advertise their material. So they very well may have an email address on file.

I would advise you to try to email first, that way they can give you permission to make copies.

However,

Out of business or not, it is still illegial to sell what you copy!!!

 

[Krokus]

lol

It's only illegal if you get caught. 🙄

 

[Wilson]

Re: lol

It's only illegal if you get caught. 🙄

Amen, Justin Timberlake!😀

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

Well sure,

but I guess a conscience is something harder to mend than most things!!!

But if you guys don't have one... well then... I guess I don't have much too say!

😎 ~FT

 

[Myriads]

Every company that you named in your list is still holding it's copyrights, and several have been in touch with myself regarding the protection of same here on the forum.

The copyrights are still valid, and to copy and distribute them would be just as illegal as if you were doign it with TC, FM or MTP videos.

Myriads

 

[ForgottenTcklr]

And once again,

Myriads proves why he's the Tzar of the TMF.

HE KNOWS EVERYTHING (well at least about tickling).

But he is close to omnipotent 😀

Thanks Myr!

😎 ~FT

 

[execmail77]

Thanks for the input folks. I'm hearing nothing that I didn't really already know in my heart anyway. No plans now to pursue any "copies."

Nice to hear that some of these companies may just be "dormant." I did read about that TJ Productions connection with Silver Cherry, and I have already bought both of those videos some time back from SC...

Now, if the holder of the copyrights to these elusive TJ videos I've been huntin' for would just quietly contact me in private, there must be SOME way to arrange a legal purchase (especially, if they plan a future return).

Still holdin' my breath...!

[email protected]

 

[Oddjob0226]

I brought this question up once before, and heard absolutely nothing in response....

O.k.,.... so how do we know which companies are dead and which are "dormant"? That's the trick - there's some good stuff out there, but no one can touch it because they are either afraid of violating a copyright, or they don't know where to go in the 1st place. Where do we go to find out? Who's in the know? I didn't realize that Silver Cherry & TJ had hooked up, except for like one or 2 early videos.... That's the kind of thing I mean? Where do I go for some of the older, rare stuff? And why is there no great uprising against the Extreme Tickling web site for all the clips posted, which you have to pay for to see? My "Treatis On Tickling" written in 1995 has been copied & recopied so often now.... and I'm really O.K. with it.



While I don't CONDONE making copies of videos, I know for a fact that that's how a lot of us got started in this fetish scene, how we got to know ourselves better and got in touch with our inner perv. To be fair, all of the companies that I have copied tapes from I eventually actually did do business with and purchsed originals from them - except, of course, in the cases where the company really was dead.... so a copied tape can actually act as a sample and a selling tool for a company if the material is good. A resume. In the long run, it will help a good company make money - I know, because some of them out there got mine!

But when the copyright does run out, feel free to duplicate away; that's actually how a lot of old, great films still remain in exsistance and have not been destroyed.... the old Fatty Arbuckle silents with Buster Keaton before he was on his own.... Stage Coach, John Wayne's 1st major film... Teaserama, the Betty Page film where she talks....wonderful horror films from England & the U.S. whose companies went under and their libraries weren't bought out by the big studios..... Nosferatu still exsists because simply because someone in the 1920s violated a court order stating that all prints were to be destryed for copyright infringement on the estate of Bram Stoker...... That Maybird tape or Nu Vue video you've got is beginning to show a little more prestige now, isn't it?