RE: MP3 muzak and stuff.

[nigel@xxxxxxx]

On 03-Dec-2000 Timothy Morris wrote:
> 1. Ripping music for your own use is fine.

Actually it's not, in the UK.  It is in the US, as they already pay a
piracy tax on blank media.   It's a shame, and it's the only
non-legitimate content on any of my machines, but that's the letter
of the law in the UK at present- you can't make copies of audio CDs
or process them for backup, non-simultaneous use in the car or at
work, etc etc etc, unless it's explicitly stated on the original disc.

> or circulating CD-Rs is more than bending the rules it is theft, no
> question.

Even clearer cut, yes

It's a shame to see when folk openly pirate music, with all the
excuses that are trotted out.  Especially when it's folk who produce
intellectual property as part of their jobs or hobbies (software,
hardware, whatever), and would probably be rightly annoyed if someone
decided it was 'too expensive' (or some other righteous sounding
excuse) and copied it without paying for it.

It'd be a bit like taking my designs and knocking off IR systems
without my permission (which I'm not aware of anyone having done, and
would hope no-one on the list would (I'm aware of the non-profit PCB
project, and support it wholeheartedly)), or for someone to get an
early copy of one of Keith's KAT5's, photocopy the PCB, and start
knocking off cheap ones (it's just an example, I'm not suggesting
Keith will make much/any profit, and certainly not enough to really
repay his development time).

If I want something shared freely, there are plenty of 'free' copying
licenses around to use (eg the GPL), otherwise, I'd hope folk will
avoid stealing it.

The issue of MP3s for your own use is difficult, as most music isn't
available in that format, but the letter of copyright law is "don't do
it".  And that is difficult, same as when a builder offers to charge
no VAT if you pay cash, but it's still wrong to ignore it.

Like Tim, I'm surprised and disappointed at the lack of support for
his views on this, from folk who I thought would know better.  But,
as usual, I suppose we should get back to HA...sorry for the
wanderings... they're not aimed at anyone personally, just general
comments on the subject.

Nigel

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