copyright united-kingdom internet fair-use is-x-legal
Is it legal to record streaming video for time shifting?
<p>In the UK there is an <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright#time-shifting" rel="nofollow noreferrer">explicit exception to copyright</a> for the purpose of time shifting:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Details of the exceptions to copyright that allow limited use of copyright works without the permission of the copyright owner.</p>
<p>Time-shifting</p>
<p>A recording of a broadcast can be made in domestic premises for private and domestic use to enable it to be viewed or listened to at a more convenient time.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While many streaming services allow one to watch any content at any time, some for example  <a href="https://pluto.tv/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pluto TV</a> do not, and presumably base their business model on people not doing so, perhaps so people do not time shift past the adverts.  However it is pretty trivially easy  to record the provided video, I tested it with <a href="https://www.bogotobogo.com/FFMpeg/ffmpeg_video_screencasting_screen_recording_capture.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the instruction here</a> and the process is pretty analogous to the old days when one would do this with a tape based video recorder which I assume was the use case that prompted the exception.  There are no terms of service that one explicitly agrees to to get to the video feed.</p>
<p>Is it legal to record Star Trek Discovery from Pluto TV at friday 9pm (the only place/time it is available in Europe AIUI) and watch it on saturday, then delete the recording?</p>

<p>The relevant law is <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/70" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Section 70 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 c. 48</a> which states:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The making in domestic premises for private and domestic use of a recording of a broadcast solely for the purpose of enabling it to be viewed or listened to at a more convenient time does not infringe any copyright in the broadcast or in any work included in it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Assuming the following are met, it would not be an offence:</p>
<ol>
<li>You are making the recording at home</li>
<li>You are making it purely for private and domestic use (i.e. you and your family)</li>
<li>You are making it so you can view/listen to it at a more convenient time</li>
</ol>
<p>On the facts given in your question, it would be lawful to record Star Trek: Discovery on Pluto TV on Friday night, watch it on Saturday, and then delete the recording.</p>
