Audio And The LawAudio And The Law

Creative ComputersCreative ComputersRachel HodgkinsonRachel Hodgkinson

Is It Legal?Is It Legal?

There is much downloading There is much downloading of music from the Internet of music from the Internet these days but for the most these days but for the most part if it’s free . . .it’s illegal!part if it’s free . . .it’s illegal!

ExceptionsExceptions

There are a few exceptions which are There are a few exceptions which are covered by Section 107 of the Fair Use covered by Section 107 of the Fair Use Provision of the Copyright Act. These Provision of the Copyright Act. These

include:include: CommentComment CriticismCriticism NewsNews ReportingReporting

TeachingTeaching ScholarshipScholarship ResearchResearch

Legal DownloadingLegal Downloading

There are now a growing number of There are now a growing number of websites that you can download from websites that you can download from

without breaking the bank.without breaking the bank.

Some ask you to pay a small Some ask you to pay a small subscriptionsubscription

Others offer a pay per downloadOthers offer a pay per download

Some ExamplesSome Examples iTunesiTunes NapsterNapster MyCokeMusicMyCokeMusic eMusiceMusic AmazonAmazon Yahoo!Yahoo!

PlaylouderPlaylouder 7 Digital7 Digital Big Noise MusicBig Noise Music HMVHMV Sonic SelectorSonic Selector MSN MusicMSN Music

Others allow you to download music and raise money Others allow you to download music and raise money for charity at the same time such as War Child.for charity at the same time such as War Child.

Some websites are set up to help you Some websites are set up to help you find the best download sites, for find the best download sites, for

example:example:

www.free-legal-music-download.netwww.free-legal-music-download.net

www.freedownloadmusicsites.comwww.freedownloadmusicsites.com

Downloading Dangers!Downloading Dangers!

Viruses disguised as digital musicViruses disguised as digital music Security compromise – your computer Security compromise – your computer

becomes a serverbecomes a server Sneaky tracking softwareSneaky tracking software

Copying Audio CDsCopying Audio CDs

Officially still banned in Officially still banned in this countrythis country

Changes To UK Law?Changes To UK Law?

The UK's main recording industry bodyThe UK's main recording industry bodywants to authorise UK music buyers towants to authorise UK music buyers tocopy CDs for personal use. The Britishcopy CDs for personal use. The British

Phonographic Industry (BPI) hasPhonographic Industry (BPI) hasrecommended to a Governmentrecommended to a Government

investigation that a private right to copy beinvestigation that a private right to copy becreated.created.

OUT-LAW News, 09/11/2006 OUT-LAW News, 09/11/2006

Current SituationCurrent Situation

The Government will launch a publicThe Government will launch a publicconsultation this autumn on an consultation this autumn on an

exemption from copyright law for exemption from copyright law for people who are moving music on to people who are moving music on to

MP3 players. MP3 players. 20082008

Gowers ReportGowers Report

Many users in particular are not awareMany users in particular are not awareof what the law actually says and, of those of what the law actually says and, of those

who are, many simply do not care," said the who are, many simply do not care," said the Government response. "We therefore Government response. "We therefore

believe that the recommendation which the believe that the recommendation which the Gowers report made, to introduce a limited Gowers report made, to introduce a limited format-shifting exception applicable only for format-shifting exception applicable only for

personal use, will help improve the personal use, will help improve the position." position."

Happy Listening!Happy Listening!