A general Question Re: Downloading

.Kencs

.Kencs

.Kencs

Soldato
Joined
14 Oct 2007
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I may be wrong and i may come across as thick (which I probably am) but what is the Law on downloading?
Say for example I download a Music Video for myself or an MP3 to 'listen to' before I go out and buy the album. Is that still classed as illegal?
Does anyone know the ACTUAL law on downloading media?

I very rarely download for this reason as I am unsure on the law.
For example, You can't buy music vides that I know of so does downloading them make it a crime?

Someone advise me please :)
 
.Kencs said:
Say for example I download a Music Video for myself or an MP3 to 'listen to' before I go out and buy the album. Is that still classed as illegal?
Does anyone know the ACTUAL law on downloading media?
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Yes, this is illegal. Even if you bought the CD first, then decided you couldn't be bothered to rip it (also illegal) and downloaded it, it's still illegal.
Also remember, uploading is more illegal.
 
Ohhhhhh, that would explain it then lol...I always thought that if you downloaded for PERSONAL USE as you coudln't find them elsewhere it is ok lol...
 
.Kencs said:
Ohhhhhh, that would explain it then lol...I always thought that if you downloaded for PERSONAL USE as you coudln't find them elsewhere it is ok lol...
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Nope, it's even illegal to rip one of your own CDs to put on your ipod or something. There's no allowance for fair use anymore.
 
Zefan said:
WHAT?! I didn't know about that...
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It's true.. the law on this sort of thing is still a bit of a grey area, but its basically illegal to modify it in any way, that includes ripping your own store-bought CD to audio-format of choice.
 
Zefan said:
WHAT?! I didn't know about that...
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It is strictly speaking illegal but the BPI has given a voluntary derogation that they will not prosecute those doing it for personal use only so while technically you can't rip your own CDs legally, in practice they don't give a stuff and wouldn't chase you for it. Just don't then upload them and you should be ok. Oh and they could withdraw the derogation at any time as well. :)
 
Moredhel said:
Nope, it's even illegal to rip one of your own CDs to put on your ipod or something. There's no allowance for fair use anymore.
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I'm pretty sure the law changed on this recently.

*Looks for source*

Edit: ignore me, I was getting confused with those car FM transmitters

Burnsy
 
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Moredhel said:
Nope, it's even illegal to rip one of your own CDs to put on your ipod or something. There's no allowance for fair use anymore.
Click to expand...
I think it is still technically illegal but didn't the BPI say a while ago that they wouldn't really bother prosecuting someone for this. They want to stop the massive filesharers not people who make a copy of a CD for their iPod.

Found the link! Yay. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5053658.stm
 
Moredhel said:
Nope, it's even illegal to rip one of your own CDs to put on your ipod or something. There's no allowance for fair use anymore.
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This is mainly correct, however, there are fair use exceptions within the CDPA - they just don't cover this!
 
Screw 'em. If I buy the CD/DVD I should be able to rip it, covert it and stick in on whatever device I want to.

I should not be able to share it over the Internet though! :D

It should also be legal to download something I own. So if I have The Departed on DVD but don't want to break the law by decrypting the DVD I should legally be able to get the file from somebody on bit torrent or whatever.

Of course it isn't legal because the law is owned by the recording industries :(

Although some "artists" like Sir Cliff and Radiohead are starting to realise that the industry cannot continue the way it is. Way to go suing your customers!
 
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