BLOG: We're all digital criminals

The MusicRadar Team, Wed 9 Jan 2008, 3:22 pm UTC

Update: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

So, news of an impending change to copyright law is everywhere. Considering the fact that by buying a CD and copying it to an iPod, we are breaking the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 - this is sensible.

At first, we ignored this news. Admittedly, we raised a collective eyebrow when remembering that technically - although we would never support illegally obtained music - we are all unsuspecting criminals caught up in digital uncertainty. But today's Copying music legally in the digital age piece in The Guardian got us ticking.

The Guardian reports that record labels fear the law change could cause a 'free-for-all' among music lovers and quotes Hamish Porter, a partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse as saying: "There is a danger that it will be interpreted by the young as a green light to burn CDs for their friends."

Don't you think 'the young' or criminals as they are also known in some circles, are more likely to just download the music for themselves - illegally of course - than wait for a carefully mixed CD-R from their friends? Since the record industry has literally been 'brought to its knees' by digital piracy, will the changes even make the slightest difference to them anyway?

What do you think? Out-of-date laws? Illegal file sharing? Young people? Criminals? And while we're here: Is the mix-tape officially dead? Have your say below...

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User comments (2)

lbix.

Thu 3 Jul 2008, 12:12 am UTC

I didn't realise it was illegal to transfere your files onto your MP3 player...I thought if it was for your personal use that was ok. ha ha! oh well!
The music world is definately changing, and I think for the better to be honest. The days of being a rubbish musician and being great for it are numbered...live music is making a comeback, even with all the new laws surrounding it.
If there was going to be a free-for-all, it would have happened by now. There's a lot more honour amongst music lovers than is given credit for. I think people are happy to pay if they think the music is worth it. The gripe everyone seems to have is being ripped off when buying CDs or hard copies of music. Most people know only a pitance gets through to the artist, so how comes and album or single costs so much?
I like the fact musicians are being given the chance to progress on their own without having to be shackled to a record company. I think there is a great deal of good going on in the music world at the moment... although the record companies probably don't think so considering it's their profit thats dissappearing.

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rabbitrabbit

Mon 14 Jan 2008, 5:47 pm UTC

I thought this law had changed ages ago? Evidently not.
That Hamish Porter dude has obviously got his finger on the pulse though - young people? So, anyone over 18 (well old!) probably can't even burn a CD!!!
Bring back the floppy disc!

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