A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recommends that UK law be changed so that people are allowed to take a 'private copy' of their music. Taking a private copy means copying purchased music on to something else such as a computer or MP3 player.
Dr Ian Kearns of the IPPR said:
"Millions of Britons copy CDs onto their home computers breaking copyright laws everyday. British copyright law is out of date with consumer practices and technological progress. Giving people a legal ‘private right to copy’ would allow them to copy their own CDs and DVDs onto their home computers, laptops or phones without breaking the law."
This is something that we referred to in a post last month about developments in the digital music market.
Dr Kearns also observed that:
"When it comes to protecting the interests of copyright holders, the emphasis the music industry has put on tackling illegal distribution and not prosecuting for personal copying, is right. But it is not the music industry’s job to decide what rights consumers have. That is the job of Government."
The IPPR isn't the first organisation to call for a right to take private copies. The British Phonographic Organisation made a similar recommendation back in May 2006.
Views from the blogosphere
Law blogs have been supportive of the IPPR's stance:
- The IPKat blog asked "Why should consumers be forced to shell out to ‘upgrade’ their music collections each time a new medium is developed?"
- Coming at the issue from another angle, Andres of Technollama commented: "I count myself as one of those who knowingly infringe copyright law every day, with my iPod, so any calls for reform must be welcome. What good is legislation that is flaunted every single day by commuters everywhere?"
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