United States Rules:

It is unlawful(illegal) to copy or distribute films without prior consent from the distributor. These may include one or more of the following:

1. Selling or Receiving stolen items

2. Distributing stolen items either for a fee or not

3. Participating in the theft of items: Copying a film in theaters for home use or sale. Using a "screener" copy to produce "legitimate" merchandise. Copying a Video Cassette/Video CD/Video DVD/LaserDisc for the purpose of sale or giveaway.

4. Purchasing banned items for export. (i.e. importing Austin Powers: the Spy Who Shagged Me into Malaysia, where it is banned)

The United States does not really prosecute you if you bought a pirate VCD. They also do not prosecute on the basis of copying a rented film for home use. They do prosecute if you make money off of it or make too many untraceable purchases. Also if the films are pirated and U.S. customs inspects it, they can confiscate said item. it is safe to say:

DO NOT PURCHASE PIRATED FILMS. IF YOU MUST PIRATE DO SO IN YOUR OWN HOME WITH A RENTAL COPY OF A FILM. DO NOT MERCHANDISE THE PRODUCT AND PLEASE OBEY YOUR LOCAL LAWS.

-- The Lone Ranger (rutger_s@hotmail.com), July 13, 1999