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Record Industry Changes Tune on Copying CDs

Industry argues CD ripping for personal use is illegal

By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2007 6:25 AM CST
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(Newser) – The recording industry has argued in a court brief that individuals who copy music from CDs for personal use are breaking the law, the Washington Post reports. The claim by the Recording Industry Association of America is a dramatic rejection of what had long been considered a Fair Use right for consumers—and has driven the massive popularity of portable MP3 players.

Although the RIAA's own website assures that personal copying "won't usually raise concerns," the industry appears to be reversing this attitude. In addition to the recent legal brief, Sony BMG’s chief of litigation argued in court in October that "when an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song."

CD ripping has allowed the portable MP3 player market to flourish.
CD ripping has allowed the portable MP3 player market to flourish.   (Getty Images)
The private copying of CDs has long been considered a Fair Use practice under copyright law.
The private copying of CDs has long been considered a Fair Use practice under copyright law.   (Getty Images)
The RIAA is now claiming personal copies of music are instances of copyright infringement.
The RIAA is now claiming personal copies of music are instances of copyright infringement.   (Getty Images)
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Analysis of the RIAA's brief
Recording Industry vs. the People

 
music • copyright • CDs • RIAA • download

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