VHS to .mp4 legal logistics

[thimon]

Hi guys.

 

We're in the process of converting old VHS tapes to .mp4 files, apparently they're too valuable to just throw away(!) However a thought occurred to me, how are we covered as a school in terms of copyright for certain purchased VHS's? As us converting VHS tapes to .mp4 files is surely just the same as copying a shop bought DVD or Blu Ray nowadays?

 

Cheers for any thoughts or advice you may have.

Edited August 25, 2017 by thimon

[3s-gtech]

Currently, you're not covered. Format shifting is not legal in the UK at present - with the change to digital media from physical I can't see this changing much now. There are some murkier exceptions in copyright law for schools, but these tend to be for excerpts etc. If the VHS contains an old copied OU or similar recording from TV it's generally best to just let them go even if they're still handy - working out the legalities would be hard work. Anything that can be re-purchased on DVD, do so. Edited August 25, 2017 by 3s-gtech

[FN-GM]

A few years ago I contacted a company that produced some educational VHS tapes. I took pics of what we had and then sent back digital formats for me. For the life of me I can't remember who it was though. It might be worth a try..

[john]

I did this in one place and conatcted various publishers who emailed back they were happy to allow us to format shift as they didnt offer them anymore / newer version to buy on DVD etc... but we had to sign a form to say we had kept the original VHS tape and not binned / sold / etc and that it wasn't about using more than one at once as they expected you to buy 2 tapes if you wanted to do it at 2 classes at once....

[Gibbo]

If the tapes are old TV recordings, you should be OK under the ERA. Its something I worked with them on back in 2004.