What Is the Law Dealing with DVD Rentals?
Establishments that rent DVDs are bound by federal law to follow certain rules and regulations. Equally, consumers who rent DVDs are also bound by laws, and those who violate these laws will be subject to civil penalties and fines.
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Privacy
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A Supreme Court nominee inspired the Video Privacy Protection Act. In 1988, the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) was established, and, although it dealt with video rental, the same laws still apply to DVD rentals. Under the act, DVD rental establishments must keep the rental record of all their customers private. The act was created after Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork had his rental history published in a newspaper.
Copyright Law
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Those who violate copyright laws will be fined. Under the guidelines of the federal Copyright Act, those who rent DVDs are not allowed to show the DVD in a public venue unless they have a license to do so. Those who violate this law will face a maximum fine of $150,000.
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Age Requirement
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Minors cannot rent R-rated films without parental consent. DVD rental establishments must follow the guidelines of the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) in regards to renting to minors. Minors under 17 are not allowed to rent R-rated movies unless they have the consent of their parent or legal guardian. Movies rated NC-17 cannot be rented by a minor, period. Australia has taken this law one step further. As of 2010, R-rated movies are not allowed to share a shelf with lower-rated movies unless the R-rated movie alters its cover. The cover can only contain the name of the movie and a warning label.
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