Import DVDs shady legality

[slackerinabox]

I've been really wanting to check out this show called Spaced, by the creator and stars of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I've been trying in vain to track down a Region 1, official dvd but the BBC hasn't released one yet. I see torrents for a transcoded Region 1 version and am considering biting. If I love the show and intend to buy it once a region 1 is released, is it really that different to download it now?

I had this same dilemma with Buffy - Fox took forever to release the Region 1 set so I ordered season one via blackstar.co.uk - cost me 90 bucks only for a $30 set to come out shortly after I got it. Nevermind that I had to hack my dvd player to play it, which I don't feel like doing on my upconverting dvd player (if it's even possible).

My point is, hacking is involved either way, so why not download it?

 

[KLin]

Just make sure you don't get caught. :shifteyes;

 

[Kaervak]

amazon.co.uk, a little over $32 shipped. There's a few rights issues preventing a R1 release. Probably will never happen.

 

[mugs]

The obvious difference is that the owners of the show are compensated if you buy the DVDs.

But morally I don't think there's anything wrong with downloading the episodes since they're not available here, and you intend to buy the DVD when they are available here.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Kaervak
amazon.co.uk, a little over $32 shipped. There's a few rights issues preventing a R1 release. Probably will never happen.

That's what's preventing The Wonder Years from coming out on DVD - the rights to the music.