The legality of my collection!

[mr leeroy]

I justed wanted to know if anybody could explain if the films in my collection are legal or not.
The majority of my movies are bought from various web sites and they are copies. So is that legal or not? (having copies)
Also they are uncensored (not r18). Legal or not?
And I have a few originals, bought in Europe. These are also not r18? So is it ok for me to posess them.
I thought I would ask as my collection is growing and feel a bit un-easy about having all these videos at home if they are all illegal.
TIA
Leeroy

[Porn collector]

As far as I am aware the possession of hardcore porn is not illegal in the UK as long as it is for personal use (animals and kids obviously excepted). However, if you lend it to someone or worse post it to someone then you are breaking the law. If you don't, then I doubt Plod will be knocking on your door. Ben Dover went to jail for distributing or publishing porn, not for having a collection. In short, don't worry and don't make copies to sell. Not only is it illegal, but the companies will be severely pissed off with you!

[mr leeroy]

How do these websites selling copies of movies get away with it??

[Porn collector]

They are either licensed by the makers or have some dodgy deal which equally pisses off the makers cos often the tapes are inferior quality and the customer who thinks that is what to expect - or the tapes don't turn up at all.

[David J]

I'm not a lawyer, but so far as I'm aware the only material it is illegal to POSSESS is porn that contravenes the Protection of Children Act, i.e. 'indecent' pictures or films of children under the age of 16. (There are legal precedents for the view that nude pictures of children are not NECESSARILY 'indecent', but videos of children actually engaging in sexual activity obviously would be.)

Someone mentioned animal porn. So far as I know it is not illegal to posess this (not that I have the slightest interest in it myself, I hasten to say), but if I'm wrong can someone correct me?