Juggheadd
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posted on April 3, 2001 06:31:49 AM new
This is a real listing on Yahoo!!!
Are you a fan of HBO's hit drama XXX XXXXXXXX? Did you miss part (or all) of the second season? Did you forget to tape some of the second season and want to go back and watch something again?
No worries!!! I saved every episode of XXX XXXXXXXX season 2 on my Tivo, and I can record a set just for you. The quality is great and you can watch it over and over again while you wait for the next third season episode each XXXXXX night.
Please, if you are not legally subscribed to HBO through your cable or satellite service, do not bid on these items. Payment is for time for taping and materials (tapes). I will not "sell" these tapes to anybody who does not have legal access to HBO, that would be a copyright violation. Also, I request that you reuse the tapes (for third season episodes maybe?) when you are done watching them and/or when you can purchase the offical VHS/DVD versions released by HBO.
Not only is this a copyright violation but the seller is also lying about who can and can not buy these.
Why does Yahoo allow this type of thing to happen?
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deichen
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posted on April 3, 2001 07:05:55 AM new
I am surprised this seller has not been TOSsed! You should report him. Gee, I wonder if he requires proof that you have HBO? LOL
Maybe this is about the only type of listings that Yahoo can get now.
How funny! Quality listings thru and thru. And wonderful sell-thru ratings as well. Gosh, everyone should list on Yahoo again! 
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Juggheadd
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posted on April 3, 2001 07:39:19 AM new
deichen
I did but Yahoo will not take any action unless they get a report from 3 different members (????) or from the copyright owner. I have also told HBO and the MPAA anti piracy line (they have a new reporting system). I hope this seller loses his tapes and vcrs and tivo box!
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rolllanotherone
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posted on April 3, 2001 07:44:00 AM new
That should be reported to neighborhood watch. At least these type of sellers are getting a little smarter by asking for proof of service to HBO, which I really wouldn't think would make a difference in the legality of that listing.
Last year someone was selling US postage stamps and unused metered tags in Yahoo for half price. This idiot went as far as stating it's validity by stating he worked for the USPS and acquired the unused postage for free at the end of his workday !!!
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Juggheadd
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posted on April 3, 2001 08:00:46 AM new
It WAS reported to neighborhood watch, but according to Yahoo they don't do anything unless 3 different members report the same auction! This is the part that I can't understand. Is Yahoo trying to say that mob rules - if we gang up on someone they will listen?
The fact that a person can or can't get HBO has nothing to do with the fact that distibuting any or all parts of these episodes without the authorization from the copyright owner is a federal violation. At least that is what is printed on the end credits of every episode I have ever seen.
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rolllanotherone
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posted on April 3, 2001 08:25:41 AM new
I think if more people reported this type of activity to not only neighborhoodwatch but the fcc and the fbi the rules of 3 reports of such activity would soon be a thing of the past. If you can get the email's for the fcc and fbi just use the send to a friend link. Sorry i lost my links the last time I re-booted my system.
Actually, you may even try reporting it to HBO.
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auctionee
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posted on April 3, 2001 01:53:27 PM new
Neighborhood watch requires at least 3 complaints (maybe 4, I don't remember which) before a human looks at it. http://add.yahoo.com/fast/help/abuse/cgi_abuse this form only requires 1.
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ecom
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posted on April 3, 2001 02:47:28 PM new
Yahoo is full of bootleg videotapes. You can get TV, movies and music videos really cheap.
Until the big guys come down on Yahoo again (like the software publishers), it will continue to be a pirate's heaven.
Their auction rules encourage copyright violations. It takes 3-4 different users to complain before Yahoo looks at it. And the only way to get something tossed for copyright violation is to be the copyright owner and snail-mail Yahoo's general counsel.
Of course, by the time you do any of this, the auction has ended.
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juggheadd
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posted on April 4, 2001 09:36:27 AM new
auctionee
That abuse form doesn't work either! I reported a seller who so far has sold 19 sets of the same copyrighted television series and has made almost $2000.00 on these. Yahoo has not done anything about this seller or his current listings for the same thing.
I guess now that they get paid for listings they don't care if they are legal or not.
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auctionee
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posted on April 4, 2001 03:02:44 PM new
Actually the link does work...in that it is looked at by the same person who would look at it after enough NW complaints. On the other hand, the people on the other end of the link do not work....in that they really don't care about much of anything...
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Juggheadd
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posted on April 4, 2001 03:23:14 PM new
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quickdraw29
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posted on April 4, 2001 08:14:48 PM new
I bet the FBI doesn't care either. If they did they could shut down every thrift store for selling home copies of movies and tv shows. It's not that big of deal anyway. The people buying these tapes aren't the type that would dish out money for high quality studio copies. The seller is clearly stating these are dupes so no one is being decieved.
The reason Yahoo wants at least three complaints is because they don't want some individual vigilante stirring up a storm, and god knows there's too many of those who have nothing better to do than to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
No, I understand that if he were to make just one copy there really is not much of a problem because he's entitled to resell what he paid for, just like I can resell my book after I read it, but he's crossing the line when he sells more than one, however, I still see nothing morally wrong that should cause him to be arrested.
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juggheadd
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posted on April 5, 2001 05:55:09 AM new
"because he's entitled to resell what he paid for"
Not if it was an illegal item to start with!
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Twelvepole
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posted on April 5, 2001 06:31:59 AM new
Actually the seller is not "selling" the shows ,but for time and materials for the tapes.
The shows are just an added bonus.
Of course some people have too much time on their hands and I am glad Yahoo requires 3 people, at least, to close an auction.
Ain't Life Grand...
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juggheadd
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posted on April 5, 2001 07:14:51 AM new
twelvepole
$55.00 US for 2 tapes and mailing is too much to be able to justify by the seller when you consider a tape costs a buck or two and postage is maybe another 2 or 3. I don't think making a big profit or charging for time is allowed.
No matter how you cut it this is an illegal thing Especially when the same seller sells the same 2 tapes 19 times for that high price!
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rolllanotherone
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posted on April 5, 2001 07:57:14 AM new
I agree with juggheadd, it is illegal to mass produce copies of HBO's movies for profit.
You can copy for HOMEUSE and or produce several copies to GIVE to friends without ADVERTISING it or using the Source (HBO) as a means of advertising it to gain a profit of any kind.
Even if you were to copy it, advertise as free, then make a profit by adding a handling fee to the shipping, that is illegal too.
There is a thin line between "Personal Use" and "Personal Gain"
Thrift shops aquire this type of tapes thru DONATIONS, most dont guarantee what is on their tapes, items are sold "as is" and funds are for the specific charity or NON PROFIT ORG.
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juggheadd
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posted on April 5, 2001 08:09:22 AM new
rolllanotherone
You are describing trading which is allowed by the "Sony Decision". If you check the laws it is even illegal for these sellers to include a picture of the cast and the HBO logo in their listings. The lawyers will include words like this in their letter to the seller "You are hereby put on notice that the reproduction, transmission and/or distribution by you of such unauthorized and/or derivative copies of the "XXX XXXXXXXX" Copyrights and Trademarks constitute copyright infringement"
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rolllanotherone
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posted on April 5, 2001 09:01:56 AM new
It is a rule of thumb law to go by regardless of what you want to sell. This person that is doing this may be unaware of the repercussions of getting away with it for a period of time then suddenly getting caught.
Like a big drug bust, if I said I think this guy is selling drugs, the act of actually selling the drugs has to be proven before action can be taken. For all this guy knows he may be making sales to informants, fbi agents, etc. If he leaves feedback for anyone stating a good sale he will hang himself if that sale was to an informant. "MYSTERY SHOPPERS" have been around for years, businesses hire them to check their employee's and the legal system uses them to catch crooks.
I wouldn't be surprised if Auction sites themselves have mystery shoppers to ensure sellers are worthy of their site.
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