Quote
Originally posted by: WompRat
I am just wondering if you know any thing about the Berne Act. I found this info on Ebay.. Is this valid?

A. By bidding on this auction, you understand that you must already own these films on another format (VHS, Beta, LD, VCD, etc.) and that you are purchasing these DVDs for repository purposes. IF you do not OWN these films, you may purchase them for evaluation purposes only, with the intent to dispose the discs within 24 hours. Since the original Star Wars Trilogy will remain unreleased in the USA (or anywhere else) these films can now be interpreted as public domain and are therefore not protected by American copyright under the Berne Act. I offer these discs as a service to true fans that wish to enjoy these films as they have been originally presented.

Absolute rubbish, it is not legal at all. Not in the US, not here. In fact here it's even less legal since we don't have laws protecting acceptable use (but acceptable use is not prosecuted, it could be here). In Australia it is illegal to make personal back-up copies of Movies, of CDs - even if it's to use an MP3 player or a minidisc player it is illegal. Making compilation CDs from CDs you own is illegal. Taping a TV show is illegal under Australian law. The only thing you are legally allowed to back-up is computer software (that does include video games, but it does not make downloading ROMs you own legal). I know the US has different back-up laws, you can tape TV shows, you probably can make compilation CDs legally and personal DVD back-ups.