[Ulala]

Hey guys, I've been looking into purchasing the ST:TNG seasons on DVD, and need a little help.

Model A:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6368833889&rd=1

Okay, well I'm not rich enough to pay $600. But, at least it's shipping to the same country I'm in.

Model B:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6369558065&rd=1

Okay, I can afford this one, shipping is a little steep ($43), but it's all good. Is there any reason that purchasing this wouldn't be safe? My dad, probably just being paranoid as usual, said that it sounds black market-ish, or the reason that it's so cheap could have to do with the fact that (and I quote my dad here), "the Chinese disregard American copyright laws" and that it smelled like trouble. I tend to agree with him if I risk losing $150 more or less. Has anyone purchased something similar/thoughts?

Model C:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=617&item=6370394389&rd=1

This set is from England, shipping is cheaper, and in theory there's no "disregard for copyright laws" that my dad could whine about? I'm thinking this looks mighty fine, but I'm still a little concerned, it's like it's too good to be true compared to the $600 set or something. Thoughts?

I don't really care about the boxes, the language that's written on the DVDs or whatever, just that I get the DVDs, they work, they're in English, and I can watch ST:TNG for like 5 days straight.

Thanks for your input guys!

Disclaimer: Sorry to any Chinese I may have offended by my dad's comment. It was meant in no way to offend or harm, his words were to show my concern as well as his, whether they be true or not.

[WMCoolmon]

$50 seems a bit cheap...even with a $43 S&H fee...and even considering it's TNG.

OTOH I hear that DVD prices are much less than in the US (From icespeed's thread a while back, actually).

To be bluntly honest with you, I think that the fact that the last two DVDs are region-free sounds suspicious and they're probably pirated. The movie industry has stubbornly continued to use the region system even though it does bugger all to prevent piracy by anyone half-determined.

If they are pirated, then I have no doubt that the seller means for them to work though. You could even get better support from them than if they were real. After all, if they're gonna spend $1 to burn a pirated DVD, it's not as much of an issue to replace it as if it's a genuine, $80 full-boxed set.

Don't let your dad see that though.

[Scuddie]

Yes, what he said about Chinese copyright infringement is entirely true.  Fact of the matter is, China has no Copyright law, and does not observe international Copyright law.  Thats why the vast majority of chinese sourced materials are so cheap.  They can legitimately sell it without consequence.  That combined with human nature, ofcourse that country has no regard for it.  I dont think anybody would be offended, as it is a government thing, not a racial one.  Your disclaimer was unneccesary, therefor you fail .

EDIT:  As far as the legality of it, since you purchased it from China, the most FOX/Paramount could do is confiscate it from you if you play your cards even mostly wrong.  After all, it is an auction, and you did not know that it was pirated.  You thought it was legitimate, just like allofmp3.com is.

[Ulala]

So you don't think there's much in the way of a chance of internet fraud going on? Not to sound like the greedy jerk I am, but I don't wanna get screwed outta my money.

[Scuddie]

Not likely.  Even M$ doesnt do that.  If you have a pirated copy of windows, and you can prove that you bought it, and told them you didnt know it was pirated, the most they'll probably do is revoke the license you had.  But then again, since it's the MPAA, they would probably sue you for everything you had.

But as far as infringement goes, it is not infringement unless it is actually intended.  For example, if some guy in china sells an international copy of TNG, which is perfectly legal where he is, and you legitimately buy it from him.  What can happen to you in this scenario?  Absolutely nothing, so long as it wasnt an American copy.  If it is an American copy, however, you might be given a warning and have your copy confiscated.  Anything further would be dependant on whether or not you say something stupid.

EDIT:  In other words, be sure it isnt an American copy, so you'll be in the clear.  Otherwise, I'd be wary.

[WMCoolmon]

I think there's less chance of fraud than is generally believed, but then I've never ordered something on eBay. I haven't heard many stories of people losing money where the seller outright didn't send the thing, but I would take what they say with a grain of salt. eBay/PayPal/your credit card company should also have some mention of internet fraud in the relevant documents. Nobody wants to be seen as an accomplice to internet fraud these days, especially not eBay or Paypal, whose business is virtually 100% online. Although, from a legal sense, I think all eBay can do is ban someone.

[Ulala]

Okay, so my concerns are put to rest. Any opinion on the European version vs. the Asian version? I'm thinking the one from England would be great since the boxes will have English on them instead of Chinese.. although the one from England could be an American copy?

[Edit] Well, I found a Chinese set that's located in New York, so that gives my dad nothing to say against it. I think I've found a winner.