OT: Copyright law changes could leave consumers vulnerable

[James Knott]

Alex Beamish wrote:
> On 1/14/07, *Meng Cheah* <meng-D1t3LT1mScs at public.gmane.org <mailto:meng-D1t3LT1mScs at public.gmane.org>> wrote:
>
>     http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/01/11/copyright-canada.html
>
>     Ever recorded a television show or a movie so you can watch it
>     later? Or
>     ripped a CD so you can listen to it on your MP3 player?
>
>     With changes to Canada's copyright laws expected as early as next
>     month,
>     these mundane 21st century activities could theoretically be open to
>     prosecution — unless the Conservative government steps in with
>     expanded
>     "fair use" or "fair dealing" protections for consumers.
>
>
> I think this is a tempest in a teapot .. the doctrine of fair use is 
> well accepted, and this applies to moving works from one media to 
> another -- if I own a CD (we used to call them albums) it's perfectly 
> fine to transfer them to another medium like an MP3 player (we used to 
> record to tape).
>
> Making your own mix CD (we used to call them party tapes) from your 
> own library of recordings is probably still covered under fair use, 
> while buying a CD and making copies for all your friends (whether or 
> not you get paid) is *not* fair use.
>
> Not much of a change, I think.

Until DRM kicks in.

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