Comment Re:Change and redistribution is illegal (Score 2, Insightful) 345
It's been a while since I lived in Utah, but I knew many patrons of the original store in Pleasant Grove. At the time CleanFlicks' policy was that customers had to purchase the unedited movie, then they would provide the service of editing the purchaser's copy of the tape.
That is to say, the person already owned the tape being edited. CleanFlicks was not redistributing altered copies.
I see nothing wrong with providing the service of editing someone's purchased copy of a video.
Yes, the result is a version of the film that perhaps doesn't match the director's original vision. Now consider, how many movies out there actually match the director's vision after studio execs get finished with them? I can't count the number of tales I've heard from directors about meetings where they had to sit and listen to execs tell them what changes they needed to make to their films to make them more profitable.
Now let's assume that CleanFlicks distributes pre-edited editions of these films. I have a hard time believing that anyone will be duped by the folks at CleanFlicks into thinking that they're getting the original version of the film. If you're going to CleanFlicks, you're going in knowing that you'll get an edited version of whatever you buy.
Looking at it in personal terms, if you've purchased my film edited, I don't care if you edit out language you find offensive, or remove violent or sexual content that offends your sensibilities. I've had the opportunity to express myself to those that want to see the original version of my work, and you've paid to see a version that's more compatible with your own sensibilities. Just don't redistribute it in such a way that other people believe it's the original version of my work, we'll be fine.
Beside that, so long as you've paid for your copy of my film and had it edited, either before delivery or after, thanks for the revenue. I'm glad you've found a way to enjoy my work and provide me monetary support you wouldn't have given me otherwise.
