I purchased 3 of Jeff McBride's card manipulation VHS videos several (10) years ago. I took that knowledge, cherished it, and built an (award-winning) act. I was wanting to re-look over some of this stuff and maybe freshen up on some of the skills taught. The problem is, here, 150 miles away from home, in my dorm room, I don't have a VCR, or a TV, just a computer. Here's the question: Can I legally convert these to DVD so I can watch them on my computer. I am not financially able to go re-purchase the material in DVD format (I also think, if this is what I must do, that it is an incredibly stupid and wasteful idea, and somebody wasn't thinking when they wrote that copyright law...). What should I do?
Thanks,
Brian

This could be way off but as far as I understans is if you actually own the original you are allowed to make 1 arcival copy. If you get rid of the original, you must also get rid of the copy.

Thanks!
Brian

I'm no lawyer but it sounds ethically and morally OK to me for you to make copies for your personal use.

That is correct. It's considered "fair use" under copyright law.

Yep...convert away!

Mark.

Thanks guys! I will do just that!