# Should I report this auction to eBay? (VH1 Top 100 songs related) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2003, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899 "2003-06-19T12:16:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/1 "2003-06-19T12:16:40Z")
I just happened upon this eBay auction in which some guy burned a collection of “VH1’s Top 100 Songs of the Last 25 Years” from his own personal collection and is selling them on eBay for $14.95 apiece. (WARNING! The link below contains SPOILERS for the last two episodes which have not yet aired, as of this date.) [http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2539924345&category=307](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2539924345&category=307) Ok, clearly this is a violation of eBay rules, and charging $14.95 for “time, effort, materials and shipping” is absolutely ridiculous (unless he’s paying $2.50 per cdr, which makes him a fool, as well.) On the other hand…well, I’m not the “snitch” type, so it’s moral choice. Can anyone take over for me here? 😉 P.S. Referring only to the list itself, some of those choices are BEYOND stupid. I’ll grant #4 some leeway, since I have “issues” with the singer, but – #8? #28? #37?? What were they smoking to come up with THOSE choices??? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/2 "2003-06-19T13:05:32Z")
I just did. Me no like copyright violators. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/3 "2003-06-19T13:30:24Z")
It’s a copyright violation, pure and simple. The seller is clueless: > [@](#): > > You are paying only for my time, effort, materials and shipping for these CD’s as I am not allowed under copyright law to make a profit from the actual sale of the music itself. No, Periz, you’re not allowed to make a **copy** of the music. Whether you make a profit or not is completely irrelevant (and this auction indicates why). ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/4 "2003-06-19T13:50:05Z")
Ok, case closed. He was reported. About the list. Why list songs from the last 25 years? Its 2003! Are you sure its not an old list from 2000? After a quick look, I couldn’t tell if there were any recent entries. Anyway they really aren’t the greatest 100 songs from the last 25 years. They should retitle it: “The 100 songs from the past 25 years that you heard over and over again on the radio and TV that you got sick of so we thought we sould remind you what they were. But our list doesn’t necessarily represent the best songs the group, singer, record company slave or rapper has written/performed. Oh and we threw in some really awfull songs by some no talent hacks just to make it interesting.” Or is that a little too long? ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/5 "2003-06-19T16:40:30Z")
**Scarlett67** – thank you (and anyone else who narc’ed on 'em) for relieving me of my moral dilemma. 🙂 Does anyone know how VH1 came up with the list in the first place? On previous “countdowns”, they polled a bunch of musicians, producers, and songwriters (“NO SUITS!” they emphasized) but this list looks like they pulled it right out of their ass, more or less. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/6 "2003-06-19T16:45:21Z")
Oh, and to **NYR407** – the earliest song on that list was “Who Are You” which was '78, and only a few others were pre-1980. I didn’t see any post-2000 songs either, but c’mon, I dare ANYONE to name a song in the last 3 years that belongs there!!! 😃 🆒 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/7 "2003-06-19T16:49:23Z")
Actually, **KGS** , it’s not really a spoiler, as VH1 disclosed the entire list as a press release ~ June 10. But I agree, it’s unethical and illegal. _Originally posted by NYR407_ > [@](#): > > \*\*Anyway they really aren’t the greatest 100 songs from the last 25 years. They should retitle it: > > “The 100 songs from the past 25 years that you heard over and over again on the radio and TV that you got sick of so we thought we sould remind you what they were. But our list doesn’t necessarily represent the best songs the group, singer, record company slave or rapper has written/performed. Oh and we threw in some really awfull songs by some no talent hacks just to make it interesting.” \*\* That’s why I started [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=191533) thread. (Sorry about the self-promotion 😃 ). At least with this one, we know who compiled it. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/8 "2003-06-19T21:12:59Z")
**Lisa** , if we wanna talk about self-promotion, how about [this thread?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=188453) 😃 (Actually, MTv has done a few A-Z countdowns, at least back in the day they did. Oddly, just about any band that had a video in heavy rotation at the time, made the list…) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/9 "2003-06-19T21:56:37Z")
I’ve done this before and got an e-mail from ebay thanking me for my report, but, since I wasn’t the copyright holder, there wasn’t much they could do. The auctions were never removed and they still go on today. The auctions were for bootleg concert CDs. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/10 "2003-06-19T23:41:39Z")
You’re right, **Mr. Blue Sky** , eBay only listens to the copyright holder, all you narcs will probably get the following message: > [@](#): > > We have reviewed the auctions you have brought to our attention and taken appropriate action. We would also like to explain eBay’s policy with respect to reports like yours. eBay is not in a position to make judgments about the authenticity or authorized nature of auction items, except in the most extreme circumstances. This may mean that we cannot remove the item about which you contacted us. In some cases, we refer the information to the owner of the rights (copyright, trademark, etc.) involved, if we know who they are and how to contact them. Although you may be extremely knowledgeable about these types of items, we often cannot remove items upon the representations of third parties whose credentials we cannot verify, unless of course the alleged infringement is obvious on its face. That is why we strongly urge you to notify the rights holder of the suspected infringement and encourage them to join our Verified Rights Owners (VeRO) Program (formerly called Legal Buddy Program). This program enables them to request the ending of allegedly infringing auctions.\*\*\*\* But, it must have made you all feel better just to try. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/11 "2003-06-19T23:58:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*The auctions were never removed and they still go on today. The auctions were for bootleg concert CDs. \*\* Well, that’s just a pissy thing to do. :sad: “Bootleg” concert shows are a whole different animal from outright piracy, esp. one where the guy contritely says he’s not making a profit when he’s selling the damn things for $15 a pop!!! Unless he had them professionally burned & silkscreened, added a nice box and a 74-page full color booklet with rare photos and interviews…I’ll bet he’s sending nothing but 6 cdrs in a blank paper sleeve. Maybe not even the sleeve. OTOH, there’s potentially 100 copyright violations to report here. Does anyone know how to get ahold of Pete Townshend? Or Michael Jackson? Or hell, VH1 themselves?? I’m sure a direct email to Viacom’s legal department will get that taken off ebay RIGHT quick… ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/12 "2003-06-20T15:23:41Z")
Yes! Ebay’s laziness foils snitches! Let the record companies look after their own copyrights. Do all you copyright squadders ring 911 when you see a jaywalker? ---
**Author:** ![Ender\_Will](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ender\_Will](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ender_Will)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/13 "2003-06-20T16:45:05Z")
Just wanted to say there are at least a few post-2000 songs on the list: Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” at number 4 Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” at number 65 and is the Backstreet Boys’ “I want it that way” post-2k? In any case, 66% of “recent” songs that I noticed suck absolute ass, so there really are “two”\* many. \*hahahahaha! Oh, what a clever pun! ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/14 "2003-06-20T18:53:15Z")
> [@](#): > > You are paying only for my time, effort, materials and shipping for these CD’s as I am not allowed under copyright law to make a profit from the actual sale of the music itself. Liar. He/She is making a tidy profit @ $15 each. Instances like this I have no problem with someone getting busted burning downloaded music. 50 cents per CD (and thats generous in bulk) and $3 (maybe) to mail it. It isn’t worth $12 of their “time” per copy. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-report-this-auction-to-ebay-vh1-top-100-songs-related/182899/15 "2003-06-20T19:29:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ender\_Will \* > \*_In any case, 66% of “recent” songs that I noticed suck absolute ass, so there really are “two”_ many. > \*hahahahaha! Oh, what a clever pun! \*\* ??? I don’t get it… **bernse** – that’s exactly it, and in fact if I can locate a direct email addy to Viacom’s legal department (they own VH1, so best to go to the source) I’d like to narc this guy out. He’s selling 100 of these things, so potentially he’s aiming for $1200 profit on shit that he basically downloaded & burned himself. (I’d bet dollars to donuts that he doesn’t even own a single CD on the list.) And since VH1 owns THE LIST, and someone else is profiting off of THE LIST, and hell, Viacom probably has ties to many of the copyright holders on THE LIST…well, this guy could get in serious trouble if he’s really trying to market this cheapo thing himself. What he’s doing is FAR beyond copying bootlegs and selling them as the real thing…