Unauthorized copies of movies, or "bootlegs," occasionally enter our consortium catalog. To maintain a legitimate collection, it is critical that staff identify these materials before they are purchased or added to the collection.
Verifying Sources and Availability
- Check Trusted Distributors: While Amazon and Walmart are common resources, always verify a title's official release through Midwest Tape or other library distributors. If a popular movie or TV show is unavailable through these channels, it may be a bootleg.
- Review Clues: Customer reviews on retail sites can often warn you if a product is a counterfeit.
- Donations: Treat donated DVDs with caution. If a popular title is not yet available for purchase on Midwest Tape or Amazon, and has no bibliographic record in WorkFlows or OCLC, it is likely a bootleg.
Physical Characteristics of Bootleg DVDs
Use these tips to identify counterfeit discs (sourced from WikiHow: Spot Fake DVDs):
- Disc Surface: A legitimate mass-produced DVD should have a mirror-like silver surface. If the bottom of the disc is blue, gold, or purple, it is likely a recordable (burned) disc.
- Manufacturer Branding: Tilt the disc under a light. If you see a brand name like Maxell or Verbatim etched on the inner ring, it is a consumer-grade burned disc and is counterfeit.
- Cover Quality: Authentic covers use high-resolution, professional printing. Bootlegs often have blurry, desaturated, or pixelated artwork.
- FBI Warnings: Start the DVD. Most legitimate releases begin with standard FBI anti-piracy warnings. If these are missing, the disc may be a bootleg.
Helpful Resources
Use New DVD Release Dates to check the official street date for popular movies. If a DVD is being sold before its official release date, it is almost certainly a bootleg.