Taping and selling TV programs

Isn't taping and selling TV series programs such as "V" on online auctions illegal? I have purchased many videos from ebay's site and this is my first experience with something like this. The seller informs me I broke the law by buying it when I tried to tell him he sent me a home taped TV program. Furthermore, he wanted me to know he spent alot of time editing and removing the commercials. He says he is doing people a favor?
I live in Georgia and he is in Ohio.
Thank-you for your time,
Kim