Below is a timeline for all of the notable events pertaining to the legal cases and legislation related to home video. It should be noted that this website uses the term, “Home Video,” in two different ways. Firstly, it uses it as an umbrella term for the viewing of movies in the home, physical or otherwise. Secondly, its also the label given to the era in time where movies are being released on physical video formats.
July 17th, 1948 (Billboard, 1948/07/24, p. 18)
Mel Blanc Sues Castle Films
Mel Blanc sues Castle Films among others for $260,000 for distributing a cartoon and song with his signature Woody Woodpecker laugh without authorization.
April 12th, 1982
A House Hearing is Held on “Home Recording of Copyrighted Works”
The event is to discuss the “issue” with recording live broadcasts for later viewing. Its at this event that Jack Valenti, head of the MPAA, is quoted as saying, “I say to you that the VCR is to the American film producer and the American public as the Boston strangler is to the woman home alone.”
June, 1983
The DPP’s List of “Video Nasties” Is Made Public (U.K.)
The Director of Public Prosecutions’ list of films which violate the U.K.’s obscenity laws becomes public. These were mainly horror and exploitation films which contained “objectionable” sex and violence. 72 films would appear on the list. Being in possession of one could result in arrest and fines.
November 23rd, 1984
Columbia Pictures vs. Redd Horne Inc.
Courts decided that renting out private booths for the viewing of movies constitutes as a public viewing, and therefore, violates copyright. The store in question was Maxwell’s Video Showcase in Eerie, Pennsylvania.
1990
Charlie Sheen Reports “Flower of Flesh and Blood” to the FBI
Film critic Chris Gore lends actor Charlie Sheen a stack of videotapes, and among them is a copy of the Japanese splatter film, Flower of Flesh and Blood (1985). Believing he was seeing an actual snuff film, he reports it to the FBI. After investigating the filmmakers, they find no one was harmed in the making of the movie.
June 23rd, 2005 (New York Times, 2005/06/24, p. C5)
Grokster Is Found Liable For Distributing Software Used By Pirates
In 2004, MGM opened a suit against Grokster and two others for distributing software that they feel promotes the illegal downloading of copyrighted content. The resulting battle is seen by many as a re-examination of the “Betamax Case.” On June 23rd, the Supreme Court decides in favor of MGM, finding that Grokster is liable for any infringement perpetrated by the users of their software.
August 4th, 2008 (Cablefax Daily, 2008/08/05)
The Courts Find DVR Cloud Services Non-Infringing
Cablevision wins their appeal in their case with the MPAA, who in 2006, sued the company, claiming their DVR cloud service permitted infringement. In 2009, the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, upholding the appeal.
August 1st, 2011 https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS317363613120110802
Hollywood Wins Injunction Against DVD Streaming Service
In April, a group of Hollywood studios lead by Warner Brothers, sued WTV Systems, the parent company to DVD-streaming service, Zediva.com. A court injunction shuts down the service, finding that copyright holders ought to have the right to determine how their films are viewed. Zediva responded to the decision, stating, “Today’s ruling represents a setback for the hundreds of thousands of consumers looking for an alternative to Hollywood-controlled online movie services.”