Knightmare.com

Nuh uh. Sorry, mate - I think it's in the FAQs that anyone wishing to purchase or sell copies of Knightmare in any shape or form should not bring the subject to this forum.
Also, nobody sells copies of KM anymore since there was a little problem on ebay where somebody tried to sell an episode for around £40. Lots of copyright issues and people involved, including poor Tim Child, not advisable at all.
Note: There is one guy who may still be trading but I would NOT advise going to him. No offence to him personally but on business terms he has failed to provide people with decent watchable copies or with copies at all.

Hope that helps!

The only thing I'd add to that (and this not necessarily a recommendation) is you can keep an eye on http://www.nktp.freeserve.co.uk, just in case Neil Jones ever decides to restart the Trading Post one day. But please, let's leave the subject at that.

Hmmm...he's deleted his post. It doesn't matter that you asked, mate - and besides, people are gonna know that you asked whether you delete the post or not, though I get the feeling Illusion may delete this thread. It might be an idea to leave it up though, as a reference thread for anyone else in the near future who thinks of asking. Dunno though.

Irritatingly, I've just checked NKTP and it says, "Anyone wishing to trade should visit Knightmare.com and click on the forum." Not helpful, all things considered!

Unfortunately I can't find NJ's e-mail address. Anyone who knows what it is, please mail him and ask him to alter that line ASAP.

Ok that really isn't helpful. Is that guy still around?

this is not good, as good as it is to have KM on an unlicensed copy it damages the chances of us getting any official merchendise. So Please do not try to obtain it through this website and forums.

Is that guy still around?

I mailed NJ about a year ago and got no reply, so I have my doubts.

Actually there's nothing on this issue in the FAQs yet as I've been thinking about what exactly the guidelines should be on this.

I often get e-mails from people asking if there is anyone who will be able to tape trade etc. and in the past I've recommended they post in the forum to see if anyone can help. When the tape piracy issue came to light a few months ago (mainly as a result of people selling tapes on eBay and not because of the forum discussion) I decided that it would be best that people did not openly discuss tape trading on the forum.

However, by banning all postings on this topic, this means that it is very difficult for people to find someone to trade with. Okay, some of you will say that there shouldn't be any trading going on at all, but as Tim Child said, it is unlikely to attract attention if its 'non commercial and within the fan base'.

I suppose there is a difference in seriousness between someone selling episodes, and swapping with no exchange of money. Of course, both are technically illegal but remember that someone selling episodes on eBay is much more likely to get in trouble then a discreet exchange.

The only solution I can think of is if people want to trade, we recommend in the FAQ that they can ask forum members individually via e-mail or instant message, so there is no posting on the forum and whatever happens is invisible. But then the problem is who should they contact?, since they will not know who has what and can trade. Is there indeed anyone out there who would still trade - if yes obviously we will never know as they wouldn't want to advertise the fact.

Or perhaps I should just say that there isn't any possibility of tape trading anymore, since no one trades and you shouldn't trade because of... etc.

I'd like to know what others think about this.

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... I think you lost us.  

To be honest the whole "black market" thing is always going to be a catch-22, isn't it? For my own part, as long as a series has not been commercially released on video, I cannot see any problem with making and distributing copies of the material, as long as it's done on a not-for-profit basis  -  as they generally were on NKTP. If the videos are commercially released later, it's still in the customer's interests to buy them as the picture and sound will likely be of substantially better quality.

As for the FAQ approach, perhaps the best bet is just to send an identical private message to everyone you can find on the Forum asking them if they are able and willing to make copies on the quiet. The worst that can happen is that you receive a bundle of messages saying, "Sorry, no can do."

I don't understand a lot of the piracy laws, copywriting and legal stuff anyway. When you watch a film on video/dvd the first thing that comes up is all the legal/illegal stuff such as what in and is not supposed to be done. The not supposed to be done stuff includes things like distribution and lending such as a video/dvd is not supposed to shown outside the home - in schools, prisons, pubs, bars, ships, etc. they are not supposed to be lended to third parties, they are not supposed to be sold on, and a whole lot of other stuff. The whole lot goes over my head. People do those sorts of things I mean when you go to a car boot/jumble sale how many stalls do you see with used videos, dvds, computer games etc. which people are selling because they are old or the people have had a clearout. Libraries often have sales of books, tapes, cds, etc. My question is where is the line on piracy and illegalities drawn or is it just a fine line which most people can't figure out. I would have thought that pirating is making illegal copies of something (copywrited) and making a profit out of it. Am I getting the whole above confused with copywriting though?

Actually, Liza, contrary to popular myth the laws are pretty clear cut. All the things you're listing are illegal and should not be done. For instance, did you know that when you invite your pals round to watch that brand new videotape you just bought half price from the bargain bucket at Woolworths, you are putting a copyright videogramme up to public exhibition without consent, and are thus breaking the law? (I kid ye not.)

But this is one of those numerous areas where the law takes no account of common sense, and so as long as you don't take any flagrantly unjust liberties, the law will usually turn a blind eye. But don't bet your life on it!

My dictionary explainations are:

Pirate n: One who infringes copywrite or business right, or broadcasts without due authorization. -v reproduce (a book etc.) without due authorisation.

Copyright n: Sole right to publish a work -v secure copyright for.

Actually, Liza, contrary to popular myth the laws are pretty clear cut. All the things you're listing are illegal and should not be done. For instance, did you know that when you invite your pals round to watch that brand new videotape you just bought half price from the bargain bucket at Woolworths, you are putting a copyright videogramme up to public exhibition without consent, and are thus breaking the law? (I kid ye not.)

But this is one of those numerous areas where the law takes no account of common sense, and so as long as you don't take any flagrantly unjust liberties, the law will usually turn a blind eye. But don't bet your life on it!

Just a thought though I wonder how many police officers watch videos around each others houses or even at the police station!

That's the reason WHY they turn a blind eye! That and the fact that the current letter of the law would be impossible to enforce.

Slight subject change, I've just noticed that the FAQ page on the main site has been updated!