tv shows

[79cheyenne]

with all this hype over downloading illegally, what is the legality of downloading tv shows?

[Cobra]

I think that if you own the originals then it's OK for you to download the content. It's when you haven't got a legitimate copy or start making copies for other people that you can get into trouble.

I personally just back up all my DVDs and important stuff like my copy of Windows XP. That way, I use the copy until it's worn out then make another.

If you're talking about really old shows that you can't buy but are aired all the time on TV, then I really don't know. From a moral point of view, if you can't buy it but it's freely available on TV, I can't see a problem with it.

[hudsonf]

In the USA, Recording tv shows off the air is legal but I don't know about downloading tv shows.

[ronnylov]

Depends on which country you live in. Here in Sweden it's still legal to download video and music for personal use but the laws are changing so it will become illegal here too.

[Hardcoreruss]

I was under the impression that if you own it, say friends on dvd then you could download it. Or on older shows if they are not under copyright. You can find the out (if in the UK) by contacting the bfi.