By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:04 AM on 24th February 2010
Law breaker? Millions of consumers transfer albums to MP3 players
Copying your favourite CD on to your iPod has become a routine part of modern life for music lovers.
But millions of consumers are unaware they are breaking the law every time they transfer an album or a DVD to their MP3 player or home computer despite having purchased both legitimately.
Now, the threat of prosecution could be lifted after a customer body called for copyright laws to be updated for the technological age.
Just 15 per cent of people are aware that it is illegal to copy music they have purchased to an iPod for their own use, while 38 per cent admit to doing so, according to research conducted by watchdog Consumer Focus.
Almost three-quarters – 73 per cent – of people are not aware of what entertainment they are legally allowed to copy.
Fewer than one in five (17per cent ) know it is against the law to copy
a CD or DVD they have bought on to a computer for their own use.
Under existing laws, which date from the days of vinyl, millions of consumers are technically breaking the law everyday.
In reality, the music, film and television industries have not prosecuted those involved.
However, with more people carrying MP3 players, smart phones and media players, such as Apple’s iTouch, they may do so in future.
Consumer Focus says the law should now be changed to remove the threat of prosecution.
Jill Johnstone, international director, said: ‘The credibility of UK copyright law has fallen through the floor.
‘Millions of consumers are regularly copying CDs or DVDs and are unaware they are breaching copyright law.
‘The world has moved on and reform of copyright law is inevitable, but its not going to update itself.
‘If the Government wants consumers to respect copyright law they
have to stop sitting on their hands and bring the law in line with the
real world.
Consumer Focus wants to see fair use right exceptions introduced that would allow consumers to make copies of copyrighted work they have purchased, provided they are for non-commercial use.
The Government has signalled support for some changes, however
ministers have said it is necessary for the EU to come up with a
definition of non-commercial use.
However, Consumer Focus thinks this will lead to a long delay that will damage the credibility of copyright law and is urging the Government to press ahead with reform at a UK level.
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Ridiculous. Why make it possible to do these things if its illegal?
- Leosrme, Canada (ex-pat Devon, UK),
No wonder west country people are labelled thick! They’re well rid of you.
Here’s a simple test for you, next time you drive your ca, floor the throttle and see if anything stops you from breaking the speed limit. Don’t like that? take a baseball bat to your local 7/11 and take a swipe at the counter staff while demanding money.
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So, back in the 70s/80s/90s people used to record songs from the radio on to cassettes and play them back on “Walkmans” and guess what, that was illegal too!
It didn’t stop anybody then, and it won’t stop anybody now!
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Oh right, so the millions of people that borrow CDs from the library and then copy them to their computer and then their iPod are also breaking the law?
Ridiculous. Why make it possible to do these things if its illegal?
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It isn’t illegal if the person who bought the CD is the only person listening. Single use is a perfectly legal principle, and if you are listening on your MP3 player you aren’t listening to the CD, so it’s all above board. Copyright exists on the songs not the physical medium itself, and they’d never get a conviction.
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And another thing… The Ipod (Registered trade mark) Is an overpriced MP3/MP4 Player, You pay for the name, and Royalties go to the manufacturer, so someones doing nicely out of that one…
Yes, some musicians maybe do struggle, but the music companies have been fleecing us for years….
Is there a poor record producer in the world? NO!
Publishers only give around 8% royalties on books sold, writing for a living is difficult, but music! They’re rolling in it!
Is ANYONE worth what they pay themselves?
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The Government has signalled support for some changes, however ministers have said it is necessary for the EU to come up with a definition of non-commercial use.
what a sad day that a British “government” is waiting on the burgers of brussels for anything.
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Tags: Consumer Focus, copyright law, Government wants consumers, UK copyright law