Last updated at 2:27 PM on 3rd August 2011
Top tunes: It will soon be no longer illegal to download music from a CD to an MP3 player
Millions with MP3 players will be shocked to discover that they are breaking the law - even if it is unintentional.
However 'sweeping' reforms are being planned to copyright law meaning it will be no longer illegal to transfer music from CDs to a different format, for example a computer or an iPod.
Unlike most countries, the practice isn't allowed in the UK, even if the owner is the only person who ever uses the media.
The new legislation is aimed at opening the door to services for film and music fans and boosting the economy by up to £8 billion.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said the move will bring copyright law into line with the 'real world', and with 'consumers' reasonable expectations'.
It will also be made legal for performers, such as comedians, to parody someone else's work without seeking permission from the copyright holder.
Last year a YouTube video 'Newport State of Mind' was removed after Alicia Keys and Jay-Z who wrote the hit song 'Empire State of Mind' complained that the spoof infringed on their copyright.
Mr Cable also announced an exception to copyright for search and analysis techniques known as 'text and data mining'.
He said that research scientists, such as medical researchers, are being hampered from working on data because at the moment it is illegal to do this without permission of copyright owners.
Procedures will be made to open up works locked away in libraries and museums and unavailable for consumer or research purposes.
RETURN OF THE SPOOF
Relaxing copyright legislation is likely to see the numbers of spoof videos on YouTube rocket.
Last year a series of high-profile legal challenges came from some celebrities who had complained when their songs, shows or films were mocked online.
Music giant EMI threatened legal action against the song Newport State Of Mind which lampooned the hit New York State of Mind by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.
It replaced the original song's references to New York with ones to Newport in South Wales.
More than two million people viewed it on YouTube before it was removed.
Under existing legislation a breach of copyright can be punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine of £5,000.
However the new laws will not allow people to share content over the internet without copyright owners' permission, such as on file-sharing sites.
The recommendations on intellectual property came after a review by Professor Ian Hargreaves earlier this year at the request of David Cameron.
Mr Hargreaves, professor of digital economy at Cardiff School of Journalism, found that Britain's 300-year-old copyright laws were obstructing innovation and growth and said a shake-up could add nearly £8 billion to the economy.
Another key recommendation was that the UK should have a digital market place where licences in copyright content can be bought and sold.
A further announcement will be made later in the year as to how such an exchange would work.
Mr Cable said: 'The Government is focused on boosting growth and the Hargreaves review highlighted the potential to grow the UK economy.
'By creating a more open intellectual property system it will allow innovative businesses to develop new products and services which will be able to compete fairly in the UK's thriving markets for consumer equipment.
'We are accepting the recommendations and will now set about reforming the UK's intellectual property systems. Opening up intellectual property laws can deliver real value to the UK economy as well as the creators and consumers.'
Battle: Alicia Keys and Jay-Z, seen performing at the Brit Awards in London, complained a parody of their hit song New York State of Mind was a copyright infringement
Creative industries minister Ed Vaizey said: 'We need a copyright system fit for the digital age. Creating these new exceptions to copyright will enable innovators to develop new products and services.
'But it is essential that businesses have the right tools to protect their hard work and investment in the digital age.
'The UK's creative industries are a key part of our economy but online copyright infringement poses a real threat to their continued success.
'Our creative industries must be able to protect their products and the Digital Economy Act will help them do that.'
Let's hear it for Newport:The spoof music video proved an online hit, but was taken down after EMI threatened to sue
Explore more:
- People:
- Vince Cable,
- Alicia Keys,
- Jay-Z,
- Ed Vaizey,
- David Cameron
- Places:
- United Kingdom
03 Aug, 2011--
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2021897/CD-ripping-legal-UK-Downloading-songs-MP3-players-longer-illegal.html?ITO=1490
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