Discussion:
What is the name of your state? Maryland
Is it illegal to purchase a copied DVD? I know it's illegal to sell such material. but is the buyer at risk?
Answer:
From only the information in your post the answer is Yes. It's called receiving stolen property because the 'pirated DVD' is an intellectual property that has been 'stolen'.
Of course, if you had asked "Is it illegal to buy a DVD and later find out it was pirated?" then you wouldn't have admitted to knowledge before the fact and you could have stated mitigating circumstances.
Either way, stay away from this issue. Jack Valente has a lot of power with Congress and he has made a point of going after the little guy so the market for pirates dries up. Is a fine of $10,000 and up to 10 years in jail worth saving $19.95?
That's up to you.
Answer:
id like to see someone go to jail for a long period of time and pay $100k for buying a bootlegged dvd. That would be obsurd and never happen. The punishment does not even come close to fitting the crime. Im not saying i condone bootlegging by any means however a punishment of that nature would never happen.