
In the United States, the 'first sale doctrine' allows individuals to sell or give away a copyrighted item they have purchased, as long as it is not a bootleg or unauthorized copy. This means that it is generally legal to sell used DVDs, as long as they were acquired legally and publicly, and the proper business licenses and taxes are in place. However, creating and selling unauthorized copies of copyrighted materials, such as modern TV shows or musical recordings, is illegal and can result in copyright infringement charges and lawsuits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality of selling DVDs | It is legal to sell DVDs as long as they are not bootleg copies, and you have the proper business licenses and pay applicable taxes. |
| Legality of selling copied DVDs | It is illegal to sell copied DVDs without copyright approval. |
| Legality of gifting DVDs | It is legal to give away a DVD that you have purchased. |
| Legality of selling DVD combos | It is legal to sell parts of a DVD combo as long as the digital download is not included. |
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What You'll Learn

Selling second-hand DVDs
It is legal to sell second-hand DVDs as long as they were bought legally in the first place and are not bootleg copies. In the US, the ""first sale doctrine" states that resales are permitted as long as they are not bootlegs (unauthorized copies). This means that if you have purchased a DVD legally, you are allowed to sell it without breaking copyright law.
There are several platforms that allow you to sell second-hand DVDs, such as eBay and Decluttr. eBay is a popular platform for selling items and allows you to list individual DVDs or create lots for specific properties or genres. Decluttr is another option that offers a quick and easy way to sell DVDs online. You can use their free app or website to get an instant price for your DVDs by scanning or entering the barcode. They provide free shipping and fast payment, usually the day after they receive the items.
When selling second-hand DVDs, it is important to be honest in your listings and provide clear and accurate descriptions. It is also a good idea to include multiple pictures so that buyers know exactly what they are purchasing. Additionally, make sure to comply with any applicable laws, regulations, and platform-specific rules when selling online.
If you have a large collection of DVDs to sell, it may be worth researching the value of each DVD to identify those that are worth selling individually. You can then sell the remaining DVDs in bulk locally or online based on the going rate in your area.
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Copyright law
In the United States, copyright law protects the rights of creators of artistic works and those who purchase the rights to use such works. While it is not a requirement, copyright owners can register their DVDs with the U.S. Copyright Office. Importantly, copyright law applies whether or not the DVD is registered, and infringement can lead to lawsuits in civil court.
The "first sale doctrine" is a key concept in the US. It allows the resale of DVDs as long as they are not "bootlegs" or unauthorised copies. In other words, it is legal to sell a DVD that you have purchased legally and was sold to you publicly. However, if the DVD was obtained as promotional material or is bootleg, then it is illegal to sell it.
DVDs often contain copyright warnings at the beginning or on their packaging, which outline the rules of use. It is important to follow these rules, and if you wish to use a DVD in a way that may violate copyright law, such as selling DVDs for fundraising, you must seek the permission of the copyright holder.
It is worth noting that copyright laws vary internationally. For example, in the UK, it was illegal to rip or copy the content of a DVD even for personal use before October 1, 2014. However, after this date, the law changed to allow DVD copies for private use. Similarly, in the Netherlands, it is legal to make personal copies of legally purchased DVDs, but these cannot be distributed to others. Each country has its own nuances, so it is important to refer to the specific DVD copyright laws in your country.
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Selling DVD copies of old TV shows
It is illegal to sell DVD copies of TV shows without copyright approval. Copyright only impacts the creation and sale of copies of an original work. However, you can copy them for your own use.
If you are looking to obtain a DVD copy of an old TV show, there are a few ways to go about it. Firstly, you can contact the production company and request a copy. By law, they should have archived copies of everything they have aired. If the show was aired on broadcast TV, you can contact your local TV affiliate broadcaster, as they will have a copy of any TV show. You can also try contacting the head office of the broadcast channel.
Another option is to look for online video footage of the show on the official website or other websites that have archived old footage and clips, such as YouTube.
It is important to be cautious when purchasing "rare" DVDs of old TV shows from certain websites, especially those operating from the Philippines, as they may be selling bootleg copies.
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Selling DVDs online
It is legal to sell used DVDs as long as they were bought legally and sold to you publicly. It is illegal to sell DVDs that were given as promo materials, or bootleg or counterfeit materials. It is also important to have the proper business licenses and to pay any applicable sales taxes or other taxes.
There are several online platforms that allow users to sell used DVDs. Some of these platforms include Decluttr, Bonavendi, and EagleSaver. These platforms offer different features and benefits to sellers. For example, Decluttr provides an easy and fast way to sell DVDs by allowing users to scan the barcodes on their DVDs using a free app or by manually entering the barcode to get an instant valuation. Bonavendi, on the other hand, is a price comparison website that helps sellers find the best payout for their DVDs by comparing the prices of various buyback websites. EagleSaver is another option for selling used DVDs, including multiple-disc sets, and they also purchase new and sealed PC and Mac video games.
When selling DVDs online, it is important to ensure that the DVDs are in good condition and not overly scratched. Most vendors will require that all the original items are included, such as the discs, case artwork, and case. It is also recommended to include any booklets or outer slipcases that came with the DVD set.
To get the best price when selling DVDs online, it is worth comparing prices across different buyback websites. Vendors who buy second-hand movies online often have varying prices, and by using a price comparison website like Bonavendi, sellers can ensure they get the most money for their DVDs. It is also important to note that some websites may offer special deals, vouchers, or bonuses, so it is worth considering these promotions when deciding where to sell.
Overall, selling DVDs online can be a great way to make some extra cash while also helping to reduce waste and keep DVDs out of landfills.
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Selling DVDs with no cases
In general, it is legal to sell used DVDs if they were bought legally and sold to you publicly. However, it is illegal to sell copyrighted DVDs, such as those received as promo materials or bootleg material.
Selling DVDs without cases can be challenging, as many buyers are reluctant to purchase discs without their original packaging. Some people might buy DVDs without cases, but most won't, and those who do will not expect to pay a high price.
One option for selling DVDs without cases is to list them on online marketplaces such as Craigslist or eBay. On Craigslist, you can sell DVDs in bulk, and some people have sold them for $1 to $4 each, with discounts for larger purchases. However, it can be challenging to sell common titles on these platforms, even with cases, so the success of selling DVDs without cases may vary.
Another option is to sell them to a used retailer, such as Half Price Books. However, even used retailers may have difficulty merchandising DVDs without cases.
Additionally, some websites like Decluttr specialize in buying used DVDs, CDs, and Blu-rays. They offer next-day payment and free delivery for shipping the items to them, and they pay via direct deposit or PayPal.
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Frequently asked questions
It is legal to sell a DVD as long as it is not a bootleg copy and you have the proper business licenses and pay any applicable sales taxes or other taxes.
Yes, as long as the DVD is not a bootleg copy and you have the necessary licenses and pay the relevant taxes, you can sell a DVD that you bought.
No, selling burned/ripped DVDs is illegal. You would be guilty of copyright infringement and could be sued or criminally charged.
Yes, it is likely legal to sell individual items from a bundle as long as you do not keep any copies for yourself.
No, TV shows from the 1950s are still copyrighted material and you would need copyright approval to sell copies.






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