Regarding Return Items and Copywrite Laws?

[carneladiel]

So my brother had purchased a brand new game from Wal-Mart. It was scratched, when he opened it, and it wouldn't play on his video game system. Naturally, he decided to take it back. Problem? Wal-Mart wouldn't let him return it, citing that copywrite laws prevented this. He could exchange it, but only that. This seems a litte sketchy to me, because while admittedly I'm now well versed in all of copywrite laws, I don't see how it would hinder trying to return a defective item. Can anyone clear this up for me?

 

[n2mama]

In a store like Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, etc. if an electronics item like a video game, DVD, CD, etc. is opened and comes back, the only course of action for the store is to exchange it for the exact title. Even then, they will open the game right there to prevent the return of an unopened item to a different Wal-Mart. If it was scratched, why wouldn't he just want to get another copy of the same game? The concern for the company is that he took it home and copied it, gave copies to his friends, then returns it, so in effect not only does he get something for nothing, he could illegally distribute it as well.

 

[Robert A]

If you're so well versed in all copyright laws, why ask the question? Wal-Mart would give you an exchange, so why are you complaining? I would give you anything if the package was opened unless I checked to see if it were indeed defective.