Illegal DVDs of New Movies Sold on EBay

The Los Angeles Times ^ | 7/20/02 | David Colker

[GeneD]

In a sign of digital piracy reaching the masses, illegal DVD copies of recently released movies are showing up in legitimate marketplaces such as online auction house EBay Inc.

Bootlegged versions of "Men in Black II," "Reign of Fire" and "Lilo & Stitch" have been sold on the auction site in recent days. Unlike digital movie copies downloaded from the Internet, the DVDs require no special equipment or expertise to obtain or watch. All that is needed is a free EBay account and a DVD player.

[GeneD]

EBay has sold dozens of copies of Men in Black II (note the different nomenclatures; hence two links) with one copy going for $65.00. Many of the sellers have zero ratings or are no longer "registered users"; likewise for the buyers.

I'd never buy a pirated video; but then I wouldn't buy a video of a Valenti-era movie anyway.

[dawn53]

I used to enjoy Ebay, but for some reason, which I can't quite put my finger on, I don't find it "fun" anymore.

It's become too retail oriented, just like any other online buying site.

I know they're doing great business, but as one who used to enjoy buying and selling on Ebay for many years, something's changed.

[LowOiL]

Ahhhhh, you have to register to view the material. Considering the source, I wouldn't give them the time of day.

[LowOiL]

Anyone that would buy from a person with a feedback number of 0 is crazy anyway. I worked for my 100+ feedback (one negative from some nutzo that said I send him a virus, he refused to believe that the W32 virus changes the "from" field to someone in their address book). You can tell who to do business with on Ebay, unless you are quite gullible.

[LowOiL]

I know they're doing great business, but as one who used to enjoy buying and selling on Ebay for many years, something's changed.

The fees have got outragious, and the new Priority mail rates are sky high. Paypal charges too much too. It is a tough market for a seller now days.

[Cultural Jihad]

Cash payments shouldn't be an allowed option on ebay anyway. Here's the listed payment terms on one of the "Men In Black II DVD" auctions from Hong Kong.

About Payment and Shipping

Payment : CASH Payment via Airmail to me ONLY.

All Winner no need to pay Shipping fee and I will sent the Movie DVD to you via airmail once I got your payment.

[lucky7]

Do not buy anything from ebay or halfcom, I bought a PDA, that was refurbished by the palmfactorystore,the PDA never worked, its broke, they will not take it back, and halfcom will not even help to get me another one, or my money back, so I will eat the $80, and let the rest of the world know, beware of ebay or halfcom.

[Two-Bits]

Please do not say that...My Husband and I have started a business and sell on E-Bay. All our items are made in our workshop. We instill quality, true customer service, and decent pricing. I'm sorry you got burned but not all E-Bay sellers are villians.

[Enemy Of The State]

lol...I found that DVD's are cheaper to buy while in China than they are on EBAY. I recently bought about 25 DVD's while visiting China for roughly about $12 USD. As long as you take a portable DVD player to scan the disks your good to go...oh yeah..and providing you get them past customs. hehe..

[qwert]

I'd buy a pirated video in a minute.

Isn't this the message Hollweird has been putting out for all these years "Do your own Thing" "Go against the system" "BIG Corps are Evil"

I guess it just does not apply to them......

[Jhoffa_]

Yes, the thieves strike again..

These folks and the napsterites are making life a hell for everyone else because they refuse to pay for their entertainment.

They are socialists and now the rest of the world is forced to deal with anti-piracy tactics and technology because a few people insist on stealing everything in sight.

[mamelukesabre]

The piracy going on in america is a drop in the bucket compared to what they are doing in other countries. Not only do they pirate software, music, and movies, they also make illegal copies of books. All those textbooks that you buy at the university bookstores for a hundred dollars each or more, you can buy in paperback version in asia for about 10 bucks. You can get any software for around the same price....even microsoft software.

An american could make alot of money if he had access to large quantities of viagra. What you would do is buy up all the viagra you could get your hands on and then go to thailand and sell it on the black market. It goes for a hundred dollars a pill or more there. Then take that money and buy up all the illegal software, music, movies, and college textbooks you could carry. Then take that back to america and sell it on american college campuses.

Of course there is the risk of getting caught.

[Jhoffa_]

Are you Henry Hill in real life?

[mamelukesabre]

You would know, mr hoffa :)

[FReepaholic]

>>...The fees have got outragious, and the new Priority mail rates are sky high. Paypal charges too much too. It is a tough market for a seller now days...<<

I agree. I used to sell tons of stuff when I was able to afford a "premier" listing. Then Ebay went public and in order to satisfy shareholders, increased their "premier" fees to $99. It was not cost effective for me to sell that way anymore.

I still sell stuff every now and then but without a "premier" listing, you just can't reach that many buyers.

[Jhoffa_]

I don't find it "fun" anymore.

There aren't as many bargains now..

Many times by the time you add inflated shipping costs and pay for the mo you could have bought the item new.

I saw someone selling boat trailers for more than new cost..

[GeneD]

Here's one: $202.50 for Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Note the country of the seller. Note the name of the buyer. Jeez.

[SoDak]

I've bought over 30 different items on ebay over 2 years and have always been happy.

[Catspaw]

I bought a Pocketmail device from EBay for an extremely reasonable price. It's worked perfectly throughout our various road trips & camping trips for the past two years. I plan on buying an upgraded model (one that works with digital phones) in the next couple months, and I'll do that through EBay as well.