On 11 Jun 2001, at 10:25, you 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.
>
> At present the sale of Region 1 DVDs in this country for private/personal
> use is not permitted.
While the above is correct, It is important to note that there is nothing to stop
region 1 DVD's from being purchased via mail order from US and used in this
country for privat use. What is illegal is the import and distribution (selling) of
region 1 DVD's in this country.
I also understand that players capable of playing DVD's from more than one
region (eg. Region 1) can be sold in this country, BUT they must not be
advertised or sold as being able to do so.
There are companies which sell them, with varying
> degress of openness, but there have also been instances of such outfits
> attracting the attentions of Customs & Excise. Therefore I am surprised to
> see Region 1 being implicitly reported in the survey as a legitimate option to
> be taken almost for granted and which appears to be standard on some players.
These "outfits" are probably illegally importing and re-selling in this country.
> 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.
>
> However, I cannot say whether the situation is legally any different for
> academic institutions.
I think that this may be an issue with libraries that loan out DVD's as this
seems a bit of a "grey area" as far as the law is concerned.
Please note these are my own personal views, and not those of the
University of Luton.
___________________________________________
Paul Haysom, Technical Support Manager,
Learning Resources, University Of Luton,
Park Square,
Luton,
Beds. LU1 3JU, 01582 489281
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