posted on January 25, 2001 01:06:22 PM
A month or so ago I posted information about a person who was selling illegal copies of the television series "V" on eBay. I invited the seller etc. but he never showed up. eBay allowed the auction to continue, plus they allowed this seller and another one to list and sell these tapes a few more times.
I got peeved because eBay ended my auction for the commerically released, legitimate Columbia House tapes citing "potential" copyright infringement, yet they allowed the obvious illegal auctions to continue. As a matter of fact, I was suspended by eBay for listing these tapes.
As the thick heads at eBay couldn't seem to understand what my problem was, I contacted Columbia House for help.
Here's my email to Columbia House and theirs back to me (edited to eliminate direct references). Someone wanted "proof" so that is why I am offering this.
My email to CH:
I am a long time member of several Columbia House (Canada) Video Clubs, and over the past 16 years, I have purchased several complete collections from your 're-tv' editions. I have been very impressed with your product and the packaging. I currently have memberships in your "Hawaii Five O" and "Law & Order" Clubs through Columbia House Canada.
As there are a couple of series that are not yet available in Canada, I have been watching current listings under "tv episodes" on eBay hoping to find some
of these tapes in their listings. I have come across many of your originals, and
I have also seen several listings for your product that appear to be home made
copies.
For example, the 19 episode series of "V" has been listed and sold several times
on eBay on 2 and 3 tape collections. These appear to be homemade copies of your
product, dubbed at EP. The most current listing for these tapes is xxxxxxxx -
this seller has sold this set of tapes several times on eBay.
I purchased this complete series some time ago directly from Columbia House, and
I believe the sales of dubbed "copies" of your tapes may be a violation.
I have notified eBay several times about these auctions, and they advise that
there is no copyright violation involved. They are allowing the auctions to
proceed, and in most cases, the sellers are receiving high sums of money for
these copies.
I have been contacted by two separate purchasers of these tapes and asked if the
quality of my originals is as poor as the ones they have purchased (they think
they are getting your original releases when they place their bids).
I am curious to know what your thoughts on this are. If, in fact, Columbia House
does not have a problem with people selling dubbed copies of their tapes (i.e.
not your product with cases, artwork, etc.), I have several series' that people
have asked me to copy and market on eBay. I will, of course, refuse to down
grade my copies from SP to EP as I believe your reputation for quality should
not suffer.
Please let me know as soon as possible if I am allowed to do this, and what terms, if any, I need to include in my listings to prevent eBay from ending my auctions.
Thanks very much, and have a safe and happy holiday.
Here's the response from Columbia House:
Thank you for your letter and comments on this situation. Allow me this opportunity to reply.
Columbia House is licensed by and pays royalties to the parties whom own the
exclusive copyrights to this product and any copying or unauthorized redistribution is strictly prohibited and subject to the appropriate law and consequences.
Columbia House sells its product for personal use only under these
understandings and does not permit any copying of this product. The
studios constantly monitor the market and ensure that any sales activity of this
product is in accordance with the governing laws and will take legal action as
appropriate.
We appreciate your concern for this practice and we will forward this information to the appropriate parties who will take an interest in averting these infractions. Obviously, copyright law cannot permit such abuse and theft to occur which denies the appropriate parties to receive their legal entitlement of their productions.
posted on January 25, 2001 01:15:15 PM
You should have asked them if they minded you selling your ORIGINAL copies on eBay. If they said they didn't mind, maybe you could have forwarded their response to eBay....
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The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
posted on January 25, 2001 01:22:44 PM
Can't you get reinstated? Or, at this point, do you no longer even WANT to be reinstated?
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The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
