Ian,

On Mon, 11 Jun 2001, Ian Jennings wrote:

> I note the contents of Nadine Edwards DVD survey with interest, particularly
> as some of the respondents have Region 1 capable machines. I would suggest,
> assuming you have not already done so, that anyone planning to offer access
> to Region 1 DVDs needs to look into the legal implications.
>

As far as I am aware there is no LEGAL basis to the regionalisation of
DVDs. This is a purely commercial action to control distribution. However
there may be a legal aspect with regard to the non-presence of a British
Board of Film Classification certificate. However this would be true of a
non-UK DVD which was nevertheless Region 2 coded for Europe.

> At present the sale of Region 1 DVDs in this country for private/personal
> use is not permitted.

Are you sure about this?  As far as I am aware it is legal to buy
non-region 2 DVDs and import them into this country. All the Customs &
Excise people want is VAT and import duty.  It may be illegal to sell
Region 1 DVDs in the UK because of the missing BBFC certificate but not
because they are Region coded.

> 3 of the players in the survey are openly described as multi-region. Things
> may have recently changed but it certainly used to be that all DVD players
> sold in this country had to be Region 2 only.

I think this is a classic case of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) where
the film companies want you to believe this is a criminal act whereas the
restrictions are there only because of agreements between the film
companies and the DVD player manufacturers.

WARNING - I am a librarian not a lawyer and not qualified to give legal
advice. Check the facts for yourselves.

If anyone out there is qualified to give us a clear summary of the true
legal position I for one would be glad to see it.

Regards,

John Smith,
University of Kent at Canterbury.