Can i copy a dvd that has a public domain movie on it?
12.November, 2008
I Bought a DVD of a movie that is public domain. The case says that "duplication is prohibited" Can i copy just the video part, which is the public domain part and not the DVD menus and other original work off the DVD and sell or distribute it.
Interesting response from a DVD forum:
Even if a work is in the public domain, that does not mean it is completely without protection.
If I make a DVD of a public domain film, I can copyright my DVD version of it and that protects me from someone duplicating my work and making a profit off it. They are free to get their own source copy of the work and create their own DVD but they can't copy mine.
This is why companies like Something Weird that specialize in public domain films have valuable properties. They have pristine master prints and make their own copyrighted DVD's off those prints, which means anyone else wanting to make a DVD of the film would have to get his own master print, which is virtually impossible in many cases.
13.November, 2008 um 5:24 am
Yes, anyone can copy or sell a public domain movie at will.
References :
13.November, 2008 um 5:54 am
Not necessarily. Just as you said, there is original work like menus and cover art that is still covered under copyright law.
The movie in general is public domain, but the specific DVD is owned and distributed by a company. Copying it would result in the same penalties as copying any other DVD.
References :
13.November, 2008 um 6:15 am
Interesting response from a DVD forum:
Even if a work is in the public domain, that does not mean it is completely without protection.
If I make a DVD of a public domain film, I can copyright my DVD version of it and that protects me from someone duplicating my work and making a profit off it. They are free to get their own source copy of the work and create their own DVD but they can't copy mine.
This is why companies like Something Weird that specialize in public domain films have valuable properties. They have pristine master prints and make their own copyrighted DVD's off those prints, which means anyone else wanting to make a DVD of the film would have to get his own master print, which is virtually impossible in many cases.
References :
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=518255