Copyright and Fair Use (LR)

A student tries to digitize the shower scene from a rented copy of Psycho into a "History of Horror" report. Her computer won't do it. The movie happens to be on an NBC station that week, so the teacher tapes it and then digitizes it on the computer for her. This is fair use.

True. Manufacturers are instituting blocking technology, authorized under the law, so newer material like VHS rentals and DVDs block educators from their constitutional right to use material for teaching. It's time to begin complaining. In the meantime, educators should grab all the laserdiscs they can find. They're unblocked.

I have a hard time comprehending many of these rules. It seems pretty unreal to me that so many copyrights and agreements are out there for me to be aware of as a teacher. It's almost scary to think of all the trouble I could get into for a small slip up! This question and answer in particular struck me because where the line is actually drawn confuses me. At first when I saw true, I thought it was simply because it was on tv for public viewing and therefore it must be allowed to be used publicly. Reading on I realized that it had more to do with the date than the tv appearance. Then to further my confusion, the answer spoke about laserdiscs, which I am unaware of their purpose. So I wiki'd it and found that they are another form of burning tv programs that were never completely popular in America. Hmmmm? So we can copy things off tv, with whichever means we choose, but it has to be old? What if "How to lose a guy in 10 days" plays on tv, and I want to record it, will anyone know? Does it become illegal when I show others or is it when I hit the record button. If it is on tv, it should be public use, end of story! I pay for cable! Why would I buy the move if I can tape it. My last question becomes, if this is illegal, or parts of it are illegal, why in the world is T-VO completely legal and everyone in America can use it and keeps movies and tv shows and anything they desire on it? It is simply because they are not viewed publicly? And if so, don't they think those who are really determined will find a way around that?
From this assignment I have definitely gained that I have a ton of learning to do about the copyright industry!