so I got one of those DTS-ish bootlegs

[mikemgmve]

I bought a dvd off ebay, one of the bootlegs, of the little mermaid. The cover insert is a copy, but only upon close inspection, it comes with a chapter insert, and the dvd is factory pressed, so it looks quite nice. The dvd contents are exactly that of the limited issue, so they used a copy directly from that.

Overall I'm quite pleased with it, and I may end up buying copies of Peter Pan, Pinocchio, 101 Dalmations and The Jungle Book as well from the same seller, so as to have the movies if I want to watch them before their PE's come out.

The only problem with it, is this seller has been difficult. I tried contacting them directly, letting them know that I am please with the copies and would like to get the other movies, however, they won't combine shipping, and only refer me right back to their auctions on ebay. That part kinda sucks, but oh well!

[herman_the_german]

If you truly love Disney stay away from the bootlegs.

[mikemgmve]

If you truly love Disney stay away from the bootlegs.

Oh dear.

I truly love disney, but I don't love waiting years for them to rerelease their movies, or spening crazy amounts of money to get the authentic product off ebay.

I'd say I've spent about $400 in the past month on trying to make a large dent in the "collection" I started to get all the animated classics, and I will be buying authentic copies of the Platinum Editions when they come out.

In the meantime, I see no big deal in spending $5 on a bootleg that actually looks pretty good, and gives me the opportunity to watch it whenever I want.

[Mushu2083]

Isn't buying a bootleg stealing? I don't like waiting for years to get a certain movie that I like on DVD but you don't see me complaining. It's called supply and demand. Didn't you try getting the DVD you wanted the first week it was out?

[mikemgmve]

[quote="Mushu2083"]Isn't buying a bootleg stealing? I don't like waiting for years to get a certain movie that I like on DVD but you don't see me complaining. It's called supply and demand. Didn't you try getting the DVD you wanted the first week it was out?[/quote

No. As I stated, in my last reply, that I just started trying to collect all the movies. And I'm not going to spend $40 for a crappy "limited issue" copy of a movie that is going to be re-released as a PE in a year, or two, or three. Every other movie that is available, and even a bunch of OOP ones I've already spent alot of money trying to collect (Tarzan CE, Fantasia Anthology, Toy Story Ultimate box).

I spose it's how you look at it. I spend a lot of money on the Disney corporation every year. I don't consider me buying 4 of their movies bootlegged as "stealing."

[dvdjunkie]

When DVD's were in their infancy I shopped at a Computer Show in Sacramento and spent over $300 on 50 Disney titles because none of them were available on DVD. I didn't consider it stealing, because they weren't available yet. Now as they have become available I have purchased the "official" releases of those Disney titles that I have on "second" issues.

I still have a couple of titles they haven't even released including "Lady and the Tramp", and I plan on buying that when it is released later this month.

I don't consider it stealing, but filling a gap in the collection until the powers that be at Disney get off their collective arses and release the product. In some cases the copies I bought are better than the ones that were released, especially "Melody Time", "Fantasia", and "Make Mine Music". I think that my first version of "Cinderella" has some rather good redeeming qualities such as three theatrical trailers for the classic that aren't one the PE that was released last year.

[Mr. Toad]

I would agree that buying bootlegs is not stealing in this case. Disney is trying to manipulate the market with its moratoriums. This practice has been successful, but they have to live with the downside as well.

I bought Bambi, Cinderella and Song of the South bootlegs intentionally. I have thrown the bootlegs out as I have purchased the real copies, so Song of the South is the only one left.

[ichabod]

I have to agree, i don't believe in bootlegs and always get the authentic product if it is available, but with Disney manipulating the market, sometimes the only way to get something is via a bootleg.

For one example i own the complete series of The Wuzzles bought off eBay. Why? Simply because it is not available and the chances of Disney ever letting this see the light of day again are slim to none.

So yes, I know it's wrong, but ho hum.

[MouseHouse55]

In the poster's defence, buying bootlegs is not illegal, only selling them is. Granted the money doesn't go to Disney, but he's able to enjoy those amazing films, so as long as quality is alright, I'd say no biggie. It's not for me, but hey.

[memnv]

You all may consider it not stealing but there are things called copy right laws and if you read them it is considered stealing. I just would not announce it if you have bootleg copies

[Isidour]

yeah, but Disney must consider that not all will buy the DVDs in a limmited time when they have certain priorities, and when someone can buy them they are no longer on DVD.

Yes, there are copy rights laws but how can you protect something that can`t be protected because is no longer in peril?

[mcduck]

Some times when things are hard to get like the oops, there are no many options or should I said no many “legal options”, at the end of the point Disney distribution is the first to create the problem, this bootlegs wold be unnecessary if the originals where always there and not in a ridiculous price, this is a capitalistic way of life, the competition is hard, then is their problem how they sell us, we are just looking for material, the best offer got our deal...

Taking a copy from the library and reported lost just for keep it, now that is steal...

I personally like to look in other countries where some of the releases still available

[rb_canadian181]

I think it's ok to buy a bootleg when you have no other option. I mean, if Disney always offered a basic, non-special edition of every single title for a great price, no one would need to buy a bootleg. But when they pull their movies back after a year or two, if you miss the boat you'll have to wait 10 years which is un-reasonable. disney is loosing a lot of money due to people buying bootlegs while they wait to put out a special edition. the little mermaid bootlegs alone must count for millions of dollars that the company looses, but if they always had a standard, no bells and whistles version of their movies, they would be continually raking in money.

[2099net]

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with the comments on this thread.

Films are not essentials, nobody has to own a film. If you were stealing medicine from a shop, it's still shoplifting.


While I understand many people would get a bootleg and quite happily purchase the proper copy next time it becomes available, the studios do not. I do have sympathy for people who have missed out on getting these discs the first time they came out, but threads and posts like the ones above are going to do the public no favours what-so-ever in the eyes of the studios, who already have too much power over their property, and are constantly lobbying for more (Some of their wishes are totally unreasonable as it is).

It because people have this attitude to piracy, that legitimate DVD purchases get bombarded with crap like the 'Piracy Is A Crime' unskippable promos at the start of every DVD. Something I object to strongly, but I'm sure when the hi-def options come out, unskippable lectures will be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the studios protecting their property as the expense of the purchaser's own rights.

While it may sound like I'm totally supporting the studios, I'm not. I just don't want them to point to posts like the ones above when they justify crapping on the consumer even more.

It's not impossible to find these films for a reasonable price, but it is difficult - sometimes very difficult. But I was always under the impression searching for items was part of the fun of collecting.

[MinnieMe]

Isn't buying a bootleg stealing? I don't like waiting for years to get a certain movie that I like on DVD but you don't see me complaining. It's called supply and demand. Didn't you try getting the DVD you wanted the first week it was out?

What about people who get tricked into buying bootlegs? Half the bootleg DVDs out there are sold to people who often don't even know they bought one!! Before I started collecting I bought Snow White and Aladdin at a flea market- both turned out to be bootlegs, and I had no clue about anything having to do with Disney DVDs prior to that. So some person is going to arrest me for buying a bootleg DVD unknowingly?

And I think the "didn't you try getting the DVD you wanted the first week it was out?" is just a snotty thing to say. Unless you're totally clueless you should know that most of the members on this site didn't start collecting DVDs back when the Little Mermaid was released on DVD in like 1999. I didn't even start collecting until last year, and the original poster of this thread didn't start collecting until even later than that!

I am not going to go out and knowingly buy a bootleg because it makes me annoyed to have them in my collection. I replaced both SW and Aladdin with authentic copies and will be throwing out my bootlegs. Although it's no skin off my back if someone wants to buy bootlegs to complete their collection.

I agree with 2099net~ searching for the items is half the fun of collecting!!

[herman_the_german]

A website that calls itself UltimateDisney.com should not condone piracy of Disney product. I have seen people reporting purchases of bootleg product over and over.

What is the site's official stance? How do the moderators feel anout this?

[herman_the_german]

"What about people who get tricked into buying bootlegs?"

1. Request a refund.

2. Return item.

3. Report the seller.

If you read Ebay's, Amazon's and Half.com rules, you'll see that they will suspend sellers who sell bootleg materials. Problem is, nobody follows thru. They simply get mad, whine, but do nothing.

[Escapay]

What is the site's official stance? How do the moderators feel anout this?

It's more or less a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. UD doesn't support bootlegging, though several members specialize in making unofficial copies of Disney movies for their own personal use (burning a DVD from an uncut laserdisc, burning a DVD from an old VHS, etc.) Every OOP DVD reviewed here has a link to Amazon Marketplace, where one is free to purchase the authentic or the bootleg edition of a movie. UD isn't supporting bootlegs by linking to Amazon Marketplace, it's up to the buyer to decide whether or not to get a cheap bootleg or an expensive authentic from there.

Escapay

[Isidour]

As one of the members posted before,making bare-bones DVDs with not only but the movie would be a good part of a solution of the bootlegging.
Cheaper movies, without any extras or even with less publicity than the normal DVDs might be the awnser, and I mean, there`re free ways of publicity like internet

[herman_the_german]

"It's more or less a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy."

Well. It's obvious people are telling.