"DVD-CLASSIX" - Beware

SpammyTheSpammer

I was looking on eBay for an old film today and found this seller:-

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/really-poor-pete/

Seems to have a large number of old, hard-to-get DVDs.

Are there any problems with this seller? Lets look:-

http://feedback.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=really-poor-pete&iid=-1&de=off&items=25&which=negative&interval=365&_trkparms=negative_365

Appears dodgy and note that each listing contains these words:-

"DVD ClassiX is a high quality public domain range are produced on professional quality DVD-R discs."

So, dropshipping then? Lets take a look at the "dropshipper's" web-site:-

http://www.dvd-classix.co.uk/index.htm

Looks tempting doesn't it. Perhaps you should take a look at their
"Intellectial Property Rights Policy" (SIC!)


http://www.dvd-classix.co.uk/ipr-policy.htm


Classic!


So, if you want to keep your eBay account, stay well away from this bunch or you will end up blocked from eBay for distributing 'infinging' items.

halibut2209

I don't see a problem. A brief look seemed to show that the films they sell are indeed in the public domain, so they are doing nothing wrong. Quite the opposite in fact if you're after an old film that has never been released.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

halibut2209 wrote: »

I don't see a problem. A brief look seemed to show that the films they sell are indeed in the public domain, so they are doing nothing wrong. Quite the opposite in fact if you're after an old film that has never been released.

I doubt, for example Hitler's SS: Portrait of Evil which is a film from 1985, is in the public domain, especially as you can buy it on Amazon. It does seem strange for a VAT registered business to be selling such stuff.

I think it takes 75 years after the last actor or producer/director dies before the film is classed a public domain in the UK.

The Ghost Train is one a lot of people think is in the public domain and it certainly isn't in the EU. OP if it bothers you report the seller to:

euaup@paypal.com

for using Paypal's services to collect money for the sale of counterfeit goods.

halibut2209

ludovico wrote: »

The Ghost Train is one a lot of people think is in the public domain and it certainly isn't in the EU.

Might want to report that to the Internet Archive. They have it for free download (Got it last month after seeing the play)

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Looking at their contact details the Internet Archive is a US site and it might be public domain in the US. Unfortunately if you've downloaded from within the EU you've breached Granada's copyright.

halibut2209

Oh well. I doubt I'll lose any sleep over it

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Probably not but the company who paid Granada a fair chunk of money for the distribution rights might lose sleep over all the people illegally downloading copies of their titles.

SpammyTheSpammer

is NOT in the public domain and I am sure that BBC are interested in that seller.

Note that the seller has had nearly all of their listings removed by eBay with just one hooky item remaining.

Good old T&S, on the ball for once

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

The listings appear to have just run their course rather than been removed. Charging £6.99 when there is most likely others doing the same for a £1 or 2 as more of a hobby won't earn the seller many sales anyway. Piracy is rampant online, even when you report a very popular title illegally being sold to Warner who prioritise it via FACT it can take a while for removal and much, much longer if they decided to investigate and prosecute.

You can report copied BBC titles to:

antipiracy@bbc.com

SpammyTheSpammer

Items were terminated early, see "Killing Heat / Karen Black DVD" (item # 120853702985) states 3 available 1 sold so this was a Good Until Sold.

All listings were terminated withing one minute a clear sign of eBay taking action.

Hoorah for T&S says I.

Looks like "really-poor-pete" relisted "Congratulations, It's a Boy / Bill Bixby DVD" about 50 minutes after T&S pulled all of their listed items.

Interesting to see how long that one lasts, a ten day sale with 9 days to go....

soolin

SpammyTheSpammer wrote: »

Items were terminated early, see "Killing Heat / Karen Black DVD" (item # 120853702985) states 3 available 1 sold so this was a Good Until Sold.

All listings were terminated withing one minute a clear sign of eBay taking action.

Hoorah for T&S says I.

Looks like "really-poor-pete" relisted "Congratulations, It's a Boy / Bill Bixby DVD" about 50 minutes after T&S pulled all of their listed items.

Interesting to see how long that one lasts, a ten day sale with 9 days to go....

If eBay had ended them the listing would not be visible. Also as seller doesn't have a shop he can't do GTC