Can I copy DVDs just until I get chance to watch them

LoveFilmUser · New Member Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I subscribe to LoveFilm and have 3 films at home at any one time.
What I normally do is make a copy of the DVD, then return the original the day after it arrives.
I delete the copy once I've had chance to watch it - this may be within a few days or possibly up to a month later.

I'm still only watching the film once, just from a different disk.

Is this legal?

CopyrightAid · Site Admin Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 281

It's not legal, but I doubt anyone would be too bothered about it.

The law does provide a fair dealing provision for 'time-shiftting' - that is to say recording something so that you can watch/listen to it at a more convenient time, but this only applies to broadcasts (i.e. a TV/Radio transmission), it does not apply to DVD rentals.

This is one of those areas that whilst what you are doing is not allowed under the legislation, it does not cause any harm to the copyright owner, and so in reality it is unlikely to attract any attention.