Topic: Format shifting may finally be legalised

[Simon]

The Government is set to announce plans to legalise format shifting and ditch web-blocking plans.

Business secretary Vince Cable is expected to announce the changes in a speech at the British Library in London tomorrow, as he endorses the Hargreaves Review on intellectual property laws, according to a report in the Financial Times.

At the moment, ripping music or films from discs - to put on an MP3 player, for example - technically breaches copyright. While most record labels have long said they had no intention of taking action against format shifting, the Advertising Standards Authority recently reprimanded the makers of the Brennan JB7 device for failing to mention that CD ripping is illegal.

"We are determined to explore how exceptions to copyright can benefit the UK economy and support growth," the paper quoted Cable as saying. "Private copying is carried out by millions of people and many are astonished that it is illegal in this country."

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/369064/format-shifting-may-finally-be-legalised

[sam]

even more good news.

[GillE]

A law that can't be policed simply brings other laws into disrepute.  It's good to see that this anachronism is being addressed.

[Rik]

I agree, Gill. Everyone (or almost everyone) does it and have done for years.

[Simon]

Indeed.  I wonder if Apple will toe the line?

[Rik]

Of course they will. Mind you, they'll also define the line for themselves.