iPod generation ‘unknowingly’ abusing copyright laws
Thursday, 25th February 2010
Millions of iPod and MP3 users across the country are ignorant to ‘outdated’ copyright laws which mean the music contained on their devices is illegal, a watchdog has warned.
‘Format Shifting’, when users transfer or ‘rip’ songs and videos from a CD to their music device, is currently illegal under UK copyright legislation, even if they are doing so purely for personal use.
According to Ofcom, 41% of UK adults own an MP3 digital music player, meaning 18 million people are potentially flouting copyright legislation. Now, a government-backed watchdog, Consumer Focus, has called for legislation to become modernised and reflect vast advances in technology.
In a poll of 2,026 people, Consumer Focus found that 73% did not know what material they could copy or record legally, while 17% did not realise that copying music onto their computer or digital player was illegal.
However, while no one has been prosecuted for format shifting in the UK as officials are more concerned with profiteering file sharers, Consumer Focus has stated the need for change.
"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,” said Jill Johnstone, International Director of Consumer Focus.
"The world has moved on and reform of copyright law is inevitable, but it’s 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."
BPI, the record industry trade body, threw its weight behind Consumer Focus’ argument this week, stating that format shifting should not leave consumers in a “legal quandary”.
"In practice, we have never taken any action against consumers who rip CDs to computers or portable music players. Nonetheless, we do believe it would be better for personal CD ripping to be legal and the industry has made proposals to Government to achieve that,” added a BPI spokesman.
The upcoming Digital Economy Bill will have the unenviable task of safeguarding consumers and artists from copyright abuse. These figures show that, if the law is to be successful, it must be more accessible and transparent.
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