Dave, the short answer to your question about copyright is: it's legal
for anyone to buy a video, at list price, and then rent or loan it out.
TVR works just like you buying something and lending it to your
friends.

The long answer is:

http://technicalvideorental.com/FAQ....ental_legality

Is it legal for TVR to rent out these videos?

Yes.

Under US Copyright law, one does not need permission of the original
copyright holder to rent out a lawfully acquired copy of the video
(this is known as the "first sale" doctrine, and is explained in 17
USC, section 109 of the US Copyright law).

Under Canadian Copyright law, one does not need permission of the
original copyright holder to rent out a lawfully acquired copy of the
video (Canadian Consolidated Statutes and Regulations C-42 - 3(1) gives
the copyright holder no right to restrain the rental of lawfully
acquired copies of video recordings).

Technical Video Rental is a member of VSDA (Video Software Dealer's
Association), a trade association of video rental stores and companies.
TVR has verified with the VSDA that our business renting videos
complies with all US and Canadian copyright laws.

Technical Video Rental retains the services of Interaction Law in
Washington, DC. TVR has verified with Interaction Law that our business
renting videos complies with all copyright laws.

Technical Video Rental is aware of the rights held by video renters
under the copyright laws, and vigorously defends itself against false
accusations of copyright infringement.

You can read more about the First Sale Doctrine on the internet.