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Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:29 pm
by fonzerelli
Is it permissable, or even legal, to record law school class lectures, discussions, etc?

There are digital recorders for about $50 bucks that allow over 400 hours of recording time and I think it would be useful for studying as well.

I'm also imagining (at the end of three years) burning a CD with the entire contents of a law school education. A CD for 100k+.... now that's ROI! ;)

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:49 pm
by superserial
I think it's common practice for people to ask professors if it's okay before recording their lectures... I'm not sure about the legal/honor code implications (if any) of recording without permission and getting caught... you'll probably just have a pissed off professor.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:12 pm
by fongandrew
Recording without the consent of the professor is probably illegal. Selling the lectures is almost definitely illegal. Off the top of my head, laws you'd be breaking / things you could be sued for include:

* Local and state laws on recording without consent
* If it's a small enough class, you may be violating the professor's reasonable expectation of privacy
* If the lecture is not extemporaneous (i.e. it's written down and/or prepared ahead of time), then you may be violating copyright law
* The terms of any contract you agreed to with the law school

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:14 pm
by avacado111
i know one of my friends in undergrad had to record lectures b/c of a learning disability. So, I guess if you have a reason... it's not.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:15 pm
by fongandrew
@avacado111 Even if you have a good reason, you still need to clear it with the professor or school ahead of time.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:44 pm
by 20160810
This is probably the single most inefficient study method I can imagine. Just pay attention the first time.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:05 am
by fonzerelli
SoftBoiledLife wrote:This is probably the single most inefficient study method I can imagine. Just pay attention the first time.
I don't know... there's something about reviewing and hearing something twice that really sets it into memory. That and for 100k+, I want something tangible (ok digital) such as a backed up file on my hard drive labelled: "my lawl schooling infotapes."

Something to show the kids someday.....

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:10 am
by TheBigMediocre
The next generation of gunner listens to bedtime stories of the statue of frauds and lets his or her iPod croon sweet melodies of strict liability throughout the night, done with the hope that he or she will subconsciously absorb the information.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:13 am
by OperaSoprano
I would just ask for permission. One of my classmates has a disability, and she has the most amazing software that takes down the lectures word for word in written form in her notes. I think if you had a legitimate use for the recording, your request might be granted.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:14 am
by superserial
fonzerelli wrote:
SoftBoiledLife wrote:This is probably the single most inefficient study method I can imagine. Just pay attention the first time.
I don't know... there's something about reviewing and hearing something twice that really sets it into memory. That and for 100k+, I want something tangible (ok digital) such as a backed up file on my hard drive labelled: "my lawl schooling infotapes."

Something to show the kids someday.....
your kids are going to suck.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:46 am
by TheBigMediocre
superserial wrote:
fonzerelli wrote:
SoftBoiledLife wrote:This is probably the single most inefficient study method I can imagine. Just pay attention the first time.
I don't know... there's something about reviewing and hearing something twice that really sets it into memory. That and for 100k+, I want something tangible (ok digital) such as a backed up file on my hard drive labelled: "my lawl schooling infotapes."

Something to show the kids someday.....
your kids are going to suck.
No, they're just going to hate their dad because he plays back his law school lectures to them instead of taking them to Disney World.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:48 am
by DoctorNick189
OperaSoprano wrote:I would just ask for permission. One of my classmates has a disability, and she has the most amazing software that takes down the lectures word for word in written form in her notes. I think if you had a legitimate use for the recording, your request might be granted.
What is the name of that software?

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:49 am
by superserial
TheBigMediocre wrote:
superserial wrote:
fonzerelli wrote:
SoftBoiledLife wrote:This is probably the single most inefficient study method I can imagine. Just pay attention the first time.
I don't know... there's something about reviewing and hearing something twice that really sets it into memory. That and for 100k+, I want something tangible (ok digital) such as a backed up file on my hard drive labelled: "my lawl schooling infotapes."

Something to show the kids someday.....
your kids are going to suck.
No, they're just going to hate their dad because he plays back his law school lectures to them instead of taking them to Disney World.
alright, so his daughters will suck...

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:49 am
by vanwinkle
At UVA there is a system the professors can use to record the lectures and have them automatically posted to the school website in an available-only-to-students section. It got used a lot this past fall, with the H1N1 going around so much and people missing classes. It's entirely discretionary by professor, though, most don't use it regularly, and those that did were probably only doing it because of the flu outbreak and attendance problems.

Recording yourself without permission would be extraordinarily frowned upon, at the least. It may violate school policy also, I'm pretty sure it does but I don't know where to look to verify this.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:51 am
by fonzerelli
superserial wrote:
fonzerelli wrote:
SoftBoiledLife wrote:This is probably the single most inefficient study method I can imagine. Just pay attention the first time.
I don't know... there's something about reviewing and hearing something twice that really sets it into memory. That and for 100k+, I want something tangible (ok digital) such as a backed up file on my hard drive labelled: "my lawl schooling infotapes."

Something to show the kids someday.....
your kids are going to suck.
You're kids are going to look like your tar. Wait, is that little harry? He looks more like a goat every day. That reminds me, say hi to your mother for me Superserial. Thanks man. ;)

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:52 am
by byu85
yes, they don't care (I'm a 1L and did it a lot last semester) I just used the don't ask dont tell policy, but I don't know why they would object, it's not like I am going to blackmail a teacher with their torts lecture...

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:53 am
by vanwinkle
byu85 wrote:yes, they don't care (I'm a 1L and did it a lot last semester) I just used the don't ask dont tell policy, but I don't know why they would object, it's not like I am going to blackmail a teacher with their torts lecture...
No, but you could sell it or distribute it freely, which violates their intellectual property rights.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 1:54 am
by superserial
fonzerelli wrote:
superserial wrote:
fonzerelli wrote:
I don't know... there's something about reviewing and hearing something twice that really sets it into memory. That and for 100k+, I want something tangible (ok digital) such as a backed up file on my hard drive labelled: "my lawl schooling infotapes."

Something to show the kids someday.....
your kids are going to suck.
You're kids are going to look like your tar. Wait, is that little harry? He looks more like a goat every day. That reminds me, say hi to your mother for me Superserial. Thanks man. ;)
your kids are going to suck.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:03 am
by fonzerelli
superserial wrote:I'm 6 points autistic.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:06 am
by TheBigMediocre
fonzerelli wrote:
Are you retarded?
Psst... Your ignorance is showing.

Denny Crane!

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 4:08 pm
by pitFlyz
I can't believe these replies are coming from a law forum. Are you guys all as scared as your replies? The first amendment of the US constitution protects the freedom of press. In individual cases, Teachers and professors of regularly scheduled classes have been proven to not have the right to the "reasonable expectation of privacy" that is guaranteed in the fourth amendment. Attendees of regularly scheduled classes possess many of the same rights as a reporter on the streets. The only catch comes in when you attempt to distribute the recordings. Here your recordings are subject to copyright protection of the school or business that you were in when you made the recordings. Therefore, you not only Can record lectures for your own use, you very much Should. It is an exercise of the rights that make this nation so free and so great.

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 4:12 pm
by Nova
this thread is 4 years old...

Re: Is it legal/permissable to record LS classes/lectures?

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 4:25 pm
by zhenders
Next time you make a random google search on a topic and it drags you to a forum you don't regularly post in, at LEAST make sure you're posting on something even remotely time-relevant. You obviously web searched this topic, and for some unknown reason decided to create a TLS account just to post.

Kind of super lame.