The law regarding selling non region 2 DVD's in charity shops?

[suziginajackson]

Does anyone know specifically what the law is with regards to charity shops selling non region 2 DVD?

I know that a film has to be certified by the BBFC for it to legally be able to be sold in the UK. More and more, I am wandering around charity shops, and I am seeing a lot of region 1 DVD's - rated 'R' and unrated as opposed to 18, 15, 12 etc - presumably originally bought by people who go to america and get a DVD, unaware of the fact that they are unlikely to be playable on English machines

Technically, are charity and second-hand shops breaking the law by selling these?

*Note - I rarely see any horror films. They tend to be 'teen comedy' type things

*Note 2 - If it is illegal, I am not going to 'shop' any places to the Old Bill - I was just wondering how the law stood on these things

[Demoncrat]

considering the amount of bootleg vhs i still find (came across 3 yesterday...) in charity shops, id say its purely down to ignorance on the staffs part....i think technically it is illegal, but like taping an album for a mate back in the day, try enforcing that etc....

[Paul@Lovelockandload]

It never ceases to amaze me what can be found in charkty shops. As TheHamish rightly points out, technically it is illegal but who's going to do anything about it?

[wayfarer]

Originally Posted by Paul@Lovelockandload

It never ceases to amaze me what can be found in charkty shops. As TheHamish rightly points out, technically it is illegal but who's going to do anything about it?

Exactly! I imagine "Meryl" from League of Gentlemen noticing hardcore porn in a Disney movie case and still putting it out on the shelf

[platostotal]

When I worked for OXFAM in the 90s I would find stuff like VCD, Japanese VHS and American porn tapes(really) as well as bootleg VHS donated, as I recall all goods were classed as ownerless and so charities could dispose of them as they see fit(except for porn) it's like if your mate gives you a unrated DVD as a present, tho you didn't purchase it you are free to do with it whatever you want. The problem would be more copyright than bbfc rating, reselling is a no no under copyright just as is copying. Anyone fancy enforcing that. remember the "this product may not be hired, lent or exhhibited, resold or otherwise distributed" guff, yeah right.

[platostotal]

Originally Posted by wayfarer

Exactly! I imagine "Meryl" from League of Gentlemen noticing hardcore porn in a Disney movie case and still putting it out on the shelf

That's spookily close to the truth, I would find lotsa porn hiding in innocent VHS cases, "honey, have you seen my wrestling video?" 'yes dear, gave it to OXFAM.' HA HA HA.

[suziginajackson]

Originally Posted by wayfarer

I imagine "Meryl" from League of Gentlemen noticing hardcore porn in a Disney movie case and still putting it out on the shelf

It would be fine, as long as you were given a bag with a special mark on it. If you don't get a bag with a special mark on it, you cannot have the DVD

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Charity shops? I've seen a few 2nd hand region 1 discs for sale in my local Cash Generator.....and Blockbuster.

[keirarts]

I still remember finding a pretty decent jess franco euroshock boxset for less than a fiver in a charity shop, they sell all sorts of things they shouldent. Back in the days of vhs I found more than a few video nasties cluttering the shelves!

Its definately illigal, but then anyone who shops a charity shop for it probably deserves a kicking, its all for a good cause at the end of the day!

[Splatterdragon73]

Originally Posted by thehamish

I'd say its purely down to ignorance on the staffs part.

I agree and where charity acquisitions are concerned i don't believe the shop assistants make any relevant checks for legitimacy. They simply place a price sticker on the item and put it out for sale!

Originally Posted by keirarts

It's definitely illegal, but then anyone who shops a charity shop for it probably deserves a kicking, its all for a good cause at the end of the day!

Indeed yes!