CD to MP3

[rhona_j]

Copying CD's is illegal, right, except for one back up copy in case of fires etc? So say I buy a new CD but want to rip it to be able to play it on my MP3 player. Is that illegal? What if my husband wants that CD on his too? Is it only legal to have music on your iPod MP3 player that you've downloaded and paid for? Just wondering, because it's kind of like having multiple copies of the same CD!

[Loosehead]

You can make as many copies as you like for your personal use. You buy not only the CD but the right to use it as you see fit. It only becomes an issue if you try and sell copies or give them to other people. Same with downloads.

[rhona_j]

Thanks for that. Not that I was too worried or anything, just one of those things that crosses your mind and you wonder....

[Whickerman]

Might not be so cut and dry...

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?home&NewsID=13879

[wideboy]

Just as Whickerman said, plus:-

http://ukcdr.org/lists/ukcdr/2002-October/003591.html

Loosehead is probably quoting the USA ruling on 'fair use'. In the UK, we are told that ANY copying of CDs is illegal, but you have read through a lot of legal jargon to really get anywhere.

[rhona_j]

Hmm, so confusing. Thanks all!

[fo3nix]

I'd side with wideboy here, but it's complicated. Loosehead's ideas are along the lines of the "fair use" policy in the USA. I was under the impression that it was illegal to copy anything you don't own the copyright to in the UK. Ever though about how you stand legally when recording ITV etc.?

Personally I ignore these laws. Not because I purposefully try and break laws, but because they're complete rubbish. Just because it's a law, it doesn't make it right.