James Lardner on television.

The article discusses copyright issues regarding videotape copies of television programs. The copyright act passed by the U.S. Congress in 1977 and a suit filed by Universal Studios and Walt Disney Productions against Sony Corp. and codefendants that calls for the removal of videotape recorders (VTR) from the market are addressed. Moreover, the possibility of compelling VTR makers and buyers to pay compensation to producers of copyrighted material by courts is tackled. The effects of VTR on motion picture and television industries are also discussed.