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by GregShelton 5497 days ago
Rifftrax guys gave me an idea - what if I setup Amazon shop and will sell legal DVDs. People who buy DVD get access to the same movie on my website (invitation code). Will it work?
1 comments

No, it wouldn't work.

The reason why is at the very heart of copyright law. You need to learn this area.

Owning copyright to a work gives the owner EXCLUSIVE rights to distribution of that work.

Therefore, just because you sold a legal copy to a user via Amazon you do not have the right to broadcast the work on your website. Only the copyright owner can do that, because he has exclusive distribution rights. Your broadcast isn't authorized even though you selling DVDs is authorized.

Be careful with this stuff. In my opinion you are playing with fire here. The RIAA has no problems with burying people who distribute songs illegally. MPAA has done less of this, but you don't want to be the example.

I think I will start with public domain movies and than follow your advice re: indie filmmakers and mechanical license