A stupid question from Masie please

[Masie]

What are the Uk rules on private distribution?

If I was to start making alot of private dvds and selling them direct what laws do I need to be aware of as I aint brave enough to go law dodging.

Ohh also I have ask few people I respect alot but just to compare what would you say is a fair rate per video for editing assuming its not a total mess, and does anyone need any doing as im talking to a few people about this at the moment. x

[rgb]

Not a stupid question at all. A very interesting question.

Technically you are selling unclassified DVDs from unlicenced premises, by post in the UK so they should throw the book at you.

But you are not a distributor and it is a one-to-one private transaction which could offend no one else.

[Masie]

So which is it is it legal or not? I thought maybe there might be a set number before it classes as a problem or something?

[rgb]

Unless someone knows better, I think it's what they call a grey area !confused!
When in doubt, it's illegal!

The law has been overtaken by technology on this -as far as I understand, it would technically even be illegal to send your DVD on a memory stick - but who's to know there is porn on it!

[Isabel Dean]

I'm going to be looking for someone to eventually start editing some content for myself so will drop you a mail if you'd like?

See you on the 26th !happy!

Issy
xxx

[Peter]

Masie wrote:

> So which is it is it legal or not?

Illegal, basically.

[Masie]

Sorted - told you it was a silly question x

[rgb]

....but you'd get away with it !happy!

[sparky]

Sending anything that is not 18 classified or would not pass as 18 classified by post in the UK is illegal regardless of if a one-off no-fee item to a friend, a private transaction or a commercial transaction.
I will stand corrected but I think that that while R18 can be sold over the counter in licensed premises they can not legally be sent mail order in the UK.

For one-off's simply ensure you enclose no contact details either on the DVD or with it and don't post batches in the same post box on the same day every week or even a few boxes on the same pick-up round so they arrive at the local sorting office together. Vary where you buy blocks of stamps from too.
It depends how many items you will post and how often if enough to attract suspicion which could lead to surveillance at locations to see who is posting.
Realistically I doubt you would post a high enough volume to attract attention this way.

If you start adding titles / credits to your DVD's then you would be the first point of contact if anything fell into the wrong hands. Given you will have the set-up to edit & copy on your computers and the master discs plus stacks of blank discs, cases & mailing envelopes even if no finished product ready to ship it would be difficult to disprove. This would apply even if someone else was making copies and posting without your knowledge.

It is through your advertising / marketing and the payment method you would be more likely to be traced from by purchases made by the authorities. I don't know if working within the law they could claim discs not arrived and ask to collect / meet up to trap you.

The bottom line is the more you send out the greater the risk.
As to the level of risk there are members here far better placed to comment than me

[rgb]

I'm sure the law has better things to do if you are just sending things to private clients . It would only be used as a corollary if they wanted to get you for something else.
I worked in law enforcement for ten years.
De minimus non curat lex....or something...