Newbie

[BennyTheBiz]

Hi

I want to start a business digitising media people already own and give them back their original content and usb of the digital version.

I don't know exactly where I stand legally. When I searched online I found the content on your site that is in my favour saying people can backup their own media.

My intention is always to make one copy and give back to the original owner, deleting any files made in the process so I don't have anything once finished.

I will copy things like family photos and home videos which I know is fine. But I also want to offer the ability to convert VHS movies/TV shows to mp4 files. As well as vinyl record, cassette tape, cd and mini disc to mp3. Also video game cartridges for Nintendo and Sega consoles to files to be played on emulators. Also eventually to scan books to convert to ebook format.

I understand I'm not allowed to break any copy protection, all of the ways I convert doesn't, the machine play the media and records the output other than the video games. But they've assured me the tool doesn't break copy protection and I have that confirmation in an email.

So I would love your expertise to understand if this is a viable business or if its a copywriter nightmare that will just land me in trouble.

Many thanks in advance

Benny

[R0b]

For most of what you've described, a copyright nightmare. Have a look at Section 28B of the Copyright Designs and Patent Act 1988. Note in particular, subsections 5 through to 7. Initial reading suggests private use would not extend to a person who is in it for commercial gain but I'm not an expert in this area and there may be some case law on this.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga...right%20owner.

[BennyTheBiz]

Thank you for reply. I can see there are a lot of references to it being the users right to back up their own media. So as a business offering the service, youre right in saying I'm not mentioned so likely would be breaking the rules.

I was wondering if you think I'm less likely to get in hot water if I change the structure of my business and instead offer to hire out the equipment and guide the people through backing up their own media?