RAWHIDE RERUN ON TV, DVD SALES, AND COPYRIHT VIOLATIONS In a discussion about YouTube and Rawhide episodes at our yearly family function my nephew seemed concerned over violation of copyright laws through YouTube. I don’t have knowledge much in legal matters, but was given the impression that I was contributing to the situation when ever I watch any of the episodes of Rawhide on my computer through YouTube. It’s not out of avoiding purchases of DVD’s that I have watched them on there. I just haven’t been able to afford all the Seasons that are available yet, but still have episodes I’d like to see again and you well know how “stingy” the channels are at running them all on television ( For you out there who can pick up METV, keep us posted on how they are doing in their reruns on Rawhide, Saturdays, starting the 9th at 3pm.). That does not excuse violation of copyright laws, I realize. Those laws have a purpose. They are to protect against infringement of those evolved with a creative production of shows, movies, music, etc. Though most all you can name involved with Rawhide are gone except for one, and we well know who that is, still there are thousands probably who’s livelihoods are involved with the production of these DVDs. I suppose the concern isn’t just worry that we will not buy them because they are run on YouTube. But also their biggest concern is probably over copying and pirating of them. When Encore/Westerns were running Rawhide, I would read discussions on a forum about certain, especially Season 2 episodes that I hadn’t seen (they weren’t shown). Well I found some of them run on YouTube. I would post a review happily referring to the person playing them as my “YouTube Angel”. Until one day I went to search for those episodes found them all blocked by a copyright infringement. So I went on my forum and wrote that my “YouTube Angel” has sprung Copyright Violations. Actually as for as I am concerned those episodes being run do not equal owning the DVD’s themselves and hope someday I can own all (with the exception of course of Season 7 and 8). But I do wonder how much of those problems could be avoided had they let Rawhide be rerun on television like other westerns that have been allowed to be rerun and rerun.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 15:46:25 +0000