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Bootleg recordings policy

Policy overview

Bootleg recordings are unauthorised recordings of concerts or live performances. We don’t allow listings for bootleg recordings on eBay.

Bands, performers, writers, and publishers usually own the copyright to live performances, so they have the right to determine when and how performances can be reproduced. Unless the reproduction of a concert or performance is authorized by the copyright owner, its agent or the law, it's considered an unauthorized or "bootleg" copy. Selling unauthorised copies is against the law and not allowed on eBay.

Make sure your listing follows these guidelines. If it doesn't, it may be removed, and you may be subject to a range of other actions, including limits of your buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

What are the guidelines?

Not allowed

Bootleg recordings are not allowed on eBay. Here are some examples:

  • An audience recording of Bob Dylan’s 1979 concert in Philadelphia that was purchased from a street vendor who was not authorized to make this recording by Bob Dylan, his agent, or the law.

  • Bootleg recordings made while traveling around the world with the Rolling Stones.

eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations.  It’s illegal to sell bootleg recordings. This is why we don't allow these items on eBay. This policy also helps protect buyers from purchasing illegal merchandise and helps intellectual property rights owners protect their rights.

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