DVD licensing?! « Videomaker Community Forums

Tbone
Member

I just got thrown for a loop. I was talking to another video guy about starting my new business. He asked me if I had obtained a license for selling DVD's. I had never heard of such a thing. What does anyone here know about it?

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

Yup. You gotta buy your license from me, $20. ;)

Seriously, you should check with your State comptroller office about collecting sales tax. Most states require that you have a permit and collect sales tax for items sold within their state.

Some distributors will require a bar code (Amazon.com does) for each title.

But a DVD license? One of your legs should feel a little longer than the other - the one he was pulling!

Posted 6 years ago #
Tbone
Member

Hey Compusolver,

Thank you for the reply. I was beginning to think I wasn't going to get any takers.

While I waited for a reply I did a little E-digging. What do you make of this link? It's in business/legaleese, so it doesn't take long for my eyes to gloss over. It sounds like somebody thinks I owe them something if I sell DVD's.

http://www.licensing.philips.com/licensees/conditions/dvd/

As for your other directions, thanks, sort of. That all is the part of doing business has kept me from doing business on my own in the past. I am bureaucratically challenged.

Oh. Your check is in the mail. :D

Posted 6 years ago #
compusolver
Member

The Phillips link is geared toward manufacturers of DVD discs & players - not us.

Getting a permit to collect sales tax is quite simple and painless. In Texas, in the 90's at least, they didn't even ask for ID !

Keep in mind that in most, if not all states, sellers are required to collect sales tax and remit to state and local jurisdictions on a quarterly or monthly basis.

At least its simpler than income tax.

If you would like more info, visit your local book store. There are even "Dummy" books for setting up a small business. Don't go overboard on the paperwork - but do keep it legal.

Posted 6 years ago #
SteveMann
Member

I don't think that you are answering the correct question. Licensing has nothing to do with taxes.

Yes, you need a license to put the DVD logo on your replicated discs. No license, no logo. The Phillips and DVD6C licensing is for equipment and disc manufacturers.

For more information: http://www.dvdfllc.co.jp/dvdlogo.htm

The good news is, no logo, no license. You can replicate your discs all you want without the DVD logo. If you go through a replicator service, they probably are licensed to put the logo on your discs.

Steve Mann

Posted 6 years ago #