Staff asking us to rip DVD's to network so multiple classrooms can show film.

[X-13]

I'm pretty sure "copyright infringement" is NOT illegal as it is a civil matter. (unless you are profiting)

 

Even if you're profiting, it's still a civil matter. [i think...]

 

But, considering how hard media-types are pushing for all but the death penalty, it's best to think of it as illegal rather than immoral.

[localzuk]

In the UK, copyright infringement is a criminal and civil matter, so it IS illegal (to clarify).

 

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is the relevant law.

Edited December 2, 2013 by localzuk

[synaesthesia]

Keep ears and eyes open for forthcoming news on media conversion. There's a damned good reason optical drives are on the way out!

[soveryapt]

Keep ears and eyes open for forthcoming news on media conversion. There's a damned good reason optical drives are on the way out!

 

You mean that's not driven by us educational techs who can then say to staff "I can't rip your DVD in, non of the computers have a DVD drive" ?? lol ..

[synaesthesia]

Heh nah, there's rarely a need to. They break so often! (there's a joke about a coffee mug holder here somewhere!)

[X-13]

There's a damned good reason optical drives are on the way out!

 

Yeah, it costs less to produce and distribute digital media.

 

And you don't have to worry about those pesky consumer rights.

[jmak]

I know that the subject is ripping DVDs and understand that is illegal and staff at our school know I won't do it, but... If I had a TV licence and a TV tuner on a network computer, could I record live TV onto a network share and then make it available across the network? And would this include feature films shown on broadcast channels?

[Chris_]

I know that the subject is ripping DVDs and understand that is illegal and staff at our school know I won't do it, but... If I had a TV licence and a TV tuner on a network computer, could I record live TV onto a network share and then make it available across the network? And would this include feature films shown on broadcast channels?

 

If I recall correctly there's a couple of users on here that have done something similar, setting up TV streaming servers in school with TV tuners allowing TV to be viewed in any classroom...

 

Ninja edit: Source: http://angrytechnician.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/the-angry-technicians-guide-to-streaming-freeview-via-vlc-you-idiots/ @AngryTechnician

Edited December 2, 2013 by Chris_

[synaesthesia]

There's nothing illegal about recording anything off TV regardless of what the content is to be watched later in school for educational purposes.

[CyberNerd]

There's nothing illegal about recording anything off TV regardless of what the content is to be watched later in school for educational purposes.

 

You do need an ERA license or an ERA+ license to share the resources electronically.

[synaesthesia]

That's correct, assumed that's a given for the majority of schools.

[jmak]

Thanks all. I'll offer that as a legal alternative - we would need to buy a TV licence and I don't think we have an ERA licence either - we don't have any TVs or video players or any other broadcast receivers on site at all! Got rid of the last ones before digital switch over. We do have PPL and CLA licences for performance.

[elsiegee40]

Thanks all. I'll offer that as a legal alternative - we would need to buy a TV licence and I don't think we have an ERA licence either - we don't have any TVs or video players or any other broadcast receivers on site at all! Got rid of the last ones before digital switch over. We do have PPL and CLA licences for performance.

 

Are you sure @jmak? Nobody uses their computer to watch the tennis or anything else in the school. Live tv streaming requires a tv license.

Edited December 2, 2013 by elsiegee40

[jmak]

Are you sure @jmak? Nobody uses their computer to watch the tennis or anything else in the school. Live tv streaming requires a tv license.

 

I can honestly say that I have never seen anyone watching anything at the same time it has been broadcast. You've made me think about it - and worry about how boring our staff must be - but we don't have a straightforward means of recording broadcast - you could, but only by capturing a stream and I would be truly amazed if anyone has managed that without asking me. Lesson times are too flexible to fit in with a broadcast schedule, so fairly confident there's nothing in the classrooms and I get strange looks for checking the weather forecast in the lunch hour (personal use of a school machine). God, what a boring lot I work with! Me? I'd rather get my job done and get home to watch tv in comfort

[GrumbleDook]

If you use the search facility on EG you will find that this is a repeated question, and not that much has changed over the years.

 

In previous threads you will find links to BFI, CLA, the DfE advice and even materials from LAs and RBCs.

 

Previous threads have also covered polite ways to say no ... and some very impolite (but fun) ways to say no, as well.

 

Simple rule of thumb...

If recorded from the agreed free-to-air channels permitted under ERA+ then fill your boots.

If explicitly granted permission by publisher (who has also granted rights in behalf of copyright holder) then get the documented permission and fill your boots.

If neither of the above, then politely ask on whose authority are they asking for it to be done, and if the authority is less than The Crown, then politely decline.

(nb, The Crown is a figure of speech to show permission granted through a legal act ... however, if Her Majesty deems that you *can* do it then it would be interesting to see what the outcome is!)

[elsiegee40]

I can honestly say that I have never seen anyone watching anything at the same time it has been broadcast. You've made me think about it - and worry about how boring our staff must be - but we don't have a straightforward means of recording broadcast - you could, but only by capturing a stream and I would be truly amazed if anyone has managed that without asking me. Lesson times are too flexible to fit in with a broadcast schedule, so fairly confident there's nothing in the classrooms and I get strange looks for checking the weather forecast in the lunch hour (personal use of a school machine). God, what a boring lot I work with! Me? I'd rather get my job done and get home to watch tv in comfort

 

I find that live tv is not watched in our school... except when there are key events. That's when you will find Wimbledon on a whiteboard. Just occasionally something like the state opening of parliament might get shown to a class. We don't take the risk and, despite being a tiny and not wealthy school, are fully paid up on all broadcast and music licenses. As staff retire and younger teachers join the school, the chance of them doing this increases.

 

Your staff may not even be aware that the school does not have the requisite licenses and your SLT may not realise that you have the equipment to watch it live. I think it would be worth you writing up a document for your HT and copying in the clerk to the Governors fao the Finance committee on the costs of the licenses and the risks that the school runs by not having them.

 

This still won't solve your problem of staff wanting DVDs to be illegally copied. Stick to your guns on this. Put it in writing