4 Part II/Tuesday, October 27, 1981 Letters to The Times 'Taping Off TV Ruled Unlawful' Three wise and learned judges ("Taping Off TV Ruled Unlawful," Times, Oct. 20) attempt to invade the privacy of 3 million video recorder users' homes, and dictate their life style. Overnight, by taping off the air, 3 inillion petty eriininala risk prosecution. It obviously did not occur to the judges that when "llerbie Rides Again" flashed on our screens it was not a freebee. The cost of all goods and services purchased being reflected with each "and now a few words from our sponsor!" So one should have the right to watch the boobtube at any later time, complete with all "words from our sponsor." The shame of it all—a knock at the door and being caught redhanded with a freshly recorded tape of "Ilee ilaw." JOHN PAUL I¿JEUNE The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that manufacturers of video recorders inay be held liable for supplying equipment which le used to duplicate copyrighted I'V programa. If this is an illegal Infringement of copyright laws, would not such a ruling be applied to manufacturers of paper copy machines, such as ' Xerox, since such machines are assuredly used to reproduce copy. righted materiais? MARY DEAN ARMSTRONG APPENDIX A Los Angeles Times The court failed to set punish. ments for the crime, since it is assumed it will go to the Supreme Court. Well, that's fine for the future, but it doesn't do any good now. We still have 3 million criminala lonse on our streets, not counting the suppliers and inanufacturera! There is an easy solution to the problem. All 3 million video record. er owners should go to their local police station, turn themselves in and insist they be held in jail until the courts decide on their actual punishment. The law's the law, and Justice must be served! DONALD R. LING If taping off TV is ruled unlawful, that means cassette taping of music is also unlawful. There can be no exceptions. If one is unlawful, then the other is. So, judges, be careful how you make your decisions. You could have the whole United States public on your backa. TOM EVANS Arcadia I suggest the defense hire the Washington lobby of the National Rifle As-n It should prove effective in coming up with a slogan like "YTRs don't record~people do." WILFRED COUZIN Laguna Niguel The ruling makes manufacturers hable for illegal acts others may or may not communit The decision seems to say that since the VCR have the potential for copyright infringeinent, then they do infringe. Rubbish! DAVID HELKENN |