MP3, DVD and CD Copying is Now Legal in The UK (For Some)

[Gravitator]

Soon, UK citizens are free to copy MP3s, CDs and DVDs for personal use. The UK copyright law revisions, some of which went into effect this month, will legalize this common form of copying. Major changes already went into effect for the disabled, who can now copy and publish copyrighted works if there's no commercial alternative.

Most people in the UK may not have realized it, but every time they backed up an MP3 or made a copy of a CD or DVD for personal use, they were breaking the law.

Starting today this is no longer the case for the disabled, thanks to a revision of copyright law that just went into effect. Disabled citizens can now copy and publish copyrighted material if there’s no commercial alternative available.

“Disabled people and disability groups can now make accessible copies of copyright material (eg music, film, books) when no commercial alternative exists,” the Government announced today.

Previously the Government also said that all private copying for personal use would be legal starting in June, but this has apparently been delayed pending Parliament approval.

However, following a thorough inspection of local copyright legislation the UK Government has already committed to change current laws in favor of consumers.

“Copyright law is being changed to allow you to make personal copies of media you have bought, for private purposes such as format shifting or backup,” the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) previously announced.

“The changes will mean that you will be able to copy a book or film you have purchased for one device onto another without infringing copyright.”

In other words, people will be free to rip CDs and DVDs or backup their MP3s to an online storage provider, without risking legal trouble. The Government emphasizes, however, that it is still not allowed to share these personal copies with the rest of the world.

“You will be permitted to make personal copies to any device that you own, or a personal online storage medium, such as a private cloud. However, it will be illegal to give other people access to the copies you have made,” the IPO explains.

It is no secret that several entertainment industry groups are wary of the new copying regulation. However, before implementing the changes the Government carefully researched the economic impact for copyright holders, concluding it to be minimal.

On the other end of the spectrum, it’s expected that the technology sector will greatly benefit from the newly gained freedom. The revised copying rules are expected to generate an additional £31 million in revenue per year. This money will come from consumers who use services and products to assist their copying needs.

“This measure will benefit technology firms by removing barriers and costs and improving entry to technology markets which rely on consumers being able to make private copies,” the IPO predicts.

Besides new private copying rights, the upcoming amendments will also broaden people’s fair use rights. For example, people no longer have to ask permission to quote from or parody the work of others, such as a news report or a book, as long as it’s “fair dealing” and the source is recognized.

A complete overview of the changes, and how they apply to the public, are summarized in a handy guide published by the UK Intellectual Property Office.

> Source

[enim]

Soon, UK citizens are free to copy MP3s, CDs and DVDs for personal use.

I am not aware that How UK citizens were prohibited from backing up owned/purchased ORIGINAL multi-media?
Backing up owned/purchased ORIGINAL multi-media for Personal Use is something like protecting investment and a precaution against possible damage to ORIGINAL cd/dvd/bds.

[hello_hello]

That's interesting. I didn't know it was illegal in the UK. Then again, I live in Australia and have no idea if our laws are the same.

Not much of a mention of copy protection though.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/215022716/Copyright-Guidance-Consumers
What if a DVD or other media is protected by copy protection technology?
Media such as DVDs are often protected by anti-copying technology to guard against copyright piracy, and this is protected by law. Copyright owners will still be able to apply this protection. However, if copy protection is too restrictive, you may raise a complaint with the Secretary of State.

So can you copy protected DVDs or not? What laws protect anti-copying technology in the UK? How can copy protection be too restrictive? If it doesn't allow you to copy? It seems a bit vague.

[jman98]

As someone who one time worked for the US government, and trust me to a certain extent all bureaucracies have a lot of characteristics in common, "You may raise a complaint" most definitely DOES NOT in any way actually mean "We're going to do something about your complaint". That was just put in to make consumers feel all warm and fuzzy.

"Too restrictive" copy protection no doubt means the various "bad sector copy protection" methods like ARCCOS and its many derivatives. These are not as common in Europe as in the USA/Canada so there probably aren't all that many DVDs that will be problematic. And I find it interesting that there's no mention above of BluRays, so I guess copying them is still illegal.

Not to digress, but perhaps worth a mention - Americans are still under the restrictions of the DMCA.

[azrael4h]

Not to digress, but perhaps worth a mention - Americans are still under the restrictions of the DMCA.

Well, we could try doing something about that... though I doubt we'd get past the bribes to the corrupt congressmen and women. I did just start the petition going though.

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-legal-owners-physical-media-break-drm-...drive/YWpmGg8G