News - Ripping CDs and DVDs in the UK to be legalised from 1st June

[HEXUS]

Copyright law changed to allow you to make personal copies for private use.

Read more.

[Dooms]

Took them long enough.

[jnutt]

Not before time too.

[shaithis]

Very interesting. I always suspected that they would back-peddle on this and have it as an un-written law.

Now, we have the legal system telling us we can circumvent encryption legally. A very interesting turn of events.

[cjs150]

Great my private collection of CDs, DVDs and Blu rays which I have been ripping for years is now legal.

Only problem is the Blu-rays as they are adding increasingly sophisticated copy protection systems which will prevent me exercising my newly acquired legal rights (at least until some comes along with a way of circumventing)

[azrael-]

We've had similar legislation here in Denmark for years, *but* you may not circumvent any type of copy protection. This essentially makes this "right to copy" useless. I sincerely hope the British version is a bit more in sync with reality in this regard.

[kalniel]

Now, we have the legal system telling us we can circumvent encryption legally.

Where does it say that?

Being legally able to back up and format shift unprotected media is not the same as having the right to break copyright protection, and the guidance states copyright owners can still protect their products with anti-copying technology (though we get to complain if we feel that such technology is too restrictive).

[DemonHighwayman]

Does this actually include blu-ray ? I'd have thought they relaxed the law because blu-ray has overtaken dvd sales, mp3 has overtaken cd sales, and they now see dvd and cd as dying formats. That is just a political trick to get votes, give the people something they want when it's almost a waste of time doing so!

[shaithis]

Where does it say that?

Being legally able to back up and format shift unprotected media is not the same as having the right to break copyright protection, and the guidance states copyright owners can still protect their products with anti-copying technology (though we get to complain if we feel that such technology is too restrictive).

From the PDF:

"However, if copy protection is too restrictive, you may raise a complaint with the Secretary of State"

Implies we can bypass encryption and that if you cannot bypass it you can raise an official complaint.

[superscaper]

Why aren't computer programs included? Considering they were the one thing that were already allowed to be copied for backup purposes in existing Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.

[kalniel]

From the PDF:

"However, if copy protection is too restrictive, you may raise a complaint with the Secretary of State"

Implies we can bypass encryption and that if you cannot bypass it you can raise an official complaint.

It doesn't imply that. If anything it implies that if the copy protection is too restrictive for use of the product (the whole of the guidance is talking about how you 'use' content) then you may complain. But we'll see when the actual legislation comes out, it'll be spelt out I'm sure.

Why aren't computer programs included? Considering they were the one thing that were already allowed to be copied for backup purposes in existing Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.

There isn't this right. You have the right to make a backup only IF you need that backup in order to lawfully use the software. It's not the same as the right to backup you see in some other countries.

But to answer your question, it's likely because this is talking about format shifting and addressing moving media around different personal devises (ipods etc.) which was already common use. Format shifting computer programs is not as trivial or acceptable to content providers at the moment.

[crossy]

Being legally able to back up and format shift unprotected media is not the same as having the right to break copyright protection, and the guidance states copyright owners can still protect their products with anti-copying technology (though we get to complain if we feel that such technology is too restrictive).

Problem I've got is that the number of unprotected DVD's I've got is less than a handful - so without being able to - ahem - "bypass" the standard Content Scrambling System setup this new law won't benefit me in the slightest on the video side. On the other hand, if it stops Sony et al from using these vile "protection" schemes on their CD's then bring it on says I.

I suspect that this is the law finally catching up with the current state of affairs, especially as the BPI have said for a while that they're not interested in format switchers as long as they're not losing a sale - which seems like a pretty reasonable stance.

Now, am I allowed to rip my old LP's to MP3's?

[kalniel]

Now, am I allowed to rip my old LP's to MP3's?

Not now, but from 1st June...

[slipthemonkey]

"The FAQ also reminds readers that if you sell on a CD or DVD you must remove any personal copies from your devices."

Yes. Of course. Will get right on that.

[shaithis]

It doesn't imply that. If anything it implies that if the copy protection is too restrictive for use of the product (the whole of the guidance is talking about how you 'use' content) then you may complain. But we'll see when the actual legislation comes out, it'll be spelt out I'm sure

So where exactly does it say you can only format shift where there is no protection?

[kalniel]

So where exactly does it say you can only format shift where there is no protection?

It says you can format shift. There is a separate law that has the consequence that you can't break copyright protection (I can't remember the wording exactly, but this is criminal rather than civic). Put the two together and you can conclude that unless they address the latter you will be able to format shift, but not break copyright protection in order to do so.