Re: FN-FORUM Copying music off the internet

date posted 30th June 2003 19:54

> > As it happens I have downloaded some MP3s from Kazaa, of music I bought
on
> > an album many years ago. Is that legal, or do I need to pay again for
digital rights, as
> > the record was analogue? In which case is it legit for me to convert my
> old vinyl into digital format? I don't know...
>
> IIRC, format-shifting is illegal; furthermore, I think it's *never* been
> legal.
>
That raises an intriguing issue regarding me transferring a vinyl album (on
which I play and am noted as a joint songwriter) to CD or MP3 format. Now
that would make a test case ;-)


> You're damn straight there. If the music industry gets its way, the money
> you pay for your CDs will buy you the *physical* *media*, and a *limited*
> licence to listen to the music on it (by using their player software,
> maybe), revocable at any time. This all ties tidily in with the concepts
of
> 'trusted computing' (hah!) and to a limited extent, software patents.
>
Now that is scary! Whereas we have the option, limited though it may be, to
go Open Source should Big Bad Bill et al get their way in computing, would a
similar option exist should record co's impose similar restrictions on CD
playback? I guess it would provoke further illegality, but where does it
end - I'll have to think about that one!

> http://ukcdr.org/ to know more.
> - Nick Grimshaw
> { neminem saltare sobrius, nisi forte insanit. }
>
Good link and like the new Sig - Kathy won't dare pick on Cicero for
grammar!

Cheers, Paul.