Do you copy music on to your hard drive?

[Freeper]

Better think again before doing so.

Now, in an unusual case in which an Arizona recipient of an RIAA letter has fought back in court rather than write a check to avoid hefty legal fees, the industry is taking its argument against music sharing one step further: In legal documents in its federal case against Jeffrey Howell, a Scottsdale, Ariz., man who kept a collection of about 2,000 music recordings on his personal computer, the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122800693.html

Looks like all you IPOD and Zune users could be in trouble.

[wasp69]

Better think again before doing so.

Now, in an unusual case in which an Arizona recipient of an RIAA letter has fought back in court rather than write a check to avoid hefty legal fees, the industry is taking its argument against music sharing one step further: In legal documents in its federal case against Jeffrey Howell, a Scottsdale, Ariz., man who kept a collection of about 2,000 music recordings on his personal computer, the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122800693.html

Looks like all you IPOD and Zune users could be in trouble.

I don't see where they have a hope in hell of making that stick.  They tried the same thing with Cassette tape recorders and VCR's back in the early 80's and got no where with it.  Still, it'll be interesting to see the lengths that the RIAA will go to in order to ruin themselves.

[jtyangel]

Better think again before doing so.

Now, in an unusual case in which an Arizona recipient of an RIAA letter has fought back in court rather than write a check to avoid hefty legal fees, the industry is taking its argument against music sharing one step further: In legal documents in its federal case against Jeffrey Howell, a Scottsdale, Ariz., man who kept a collection of about 2,000 music recordings on his personal computer, the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122800693.html

Looks like all you IPOD and Zune users could be in trouble.

so they intend to scrape every bit of money they can--even on different formats? I still say the RIAA continues to pursue this because their hide is chapped when their refusal to implement new technology hurt their industry. If they had been at the forefront, which I am to understand was offered to the 'record' companies, they may have stemmed the tide of this and had more control over downloading situations. What a bunch of goobers and where are the libs to decry their 'greediness'. 

[Freeper]

Better think again before doing so.

Now, in an unusual case in which an Arizona recipient of an RIAA letter has fought back in court rather than write a check to avoid hefty legal fees, the industry is taking its argument against music sharing one step further: In legal documents in its federal case against Jeffrey Howell, a Scottsdale, Ariz., man who kept a collection of about 2,000 music recordings on his personal computer, the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122800693.html

Looks like all you IPOD and Zune users could be in trouble.

I don't see where they have a hope in hell of making that stick.  They tried the same thing with Cassette tape recorders and VCR's back in the early 80's and got no where with it.  Still, it'll be interesting to see the lengths that the RIAA will go to in order to ruin themselves.

One difference between sharing files on a computer and taping a friend's LP they can track you when you download or upload songs.

Hopefully the courts will tell the RIAA they are full of shit because if you do not distribute the recordings you can do what you please with them.

[Thor]

I ALWAYS copy my purchased CDs to my hard drive. This enables me to have a back up in case the CD gets scratched or otherwise unusable. It also enables me to create my own mixes of music on a CD. How many commercial CDs from one artist are jammed with "filler"?? They did the same with LPs and cassettes. I DO try to find "The Best of......" CDs. Even then, I may not feel like listening to that artist for an entire hour.

I also feel that once a person owns that CD or DVD, they should be able to do with it what they want as long as they aren't doing the file sharing thing.

[Rebel]

I ALWAYS copy my purchased CDs to my hard drive. This enables me to have a back up in case the CD gets scratched or otherwise unusable. It also enables me to create my own mixes of music on a CD. How many commercial CDs from one artist are jammed with "filler"?? They did the same with LPs and cassettes. I DO try to find "The Best of......" CDs. Even then, I may not feel like listening to that artist for an entire hour.

I also feel that once a person owns that CD or DVD, they should be able to do with it what they want as long as they aren't doing the file sharing thing.

I'm tellin'.

[Schadenfreude]

I have no intention of sharing what I've ripped to my Zune.  Also, I don't think it is necessary for me to RE-purchase the mp3 version of an album I already own.  That just goes to show how greedy and desperate the RIAA is.

The RIAA doesn't stand a chance.  They may be able to get him for the Kazaa use, though.

[Chris_]

Just a thought, but I think the RIAA vs. Diamond case from a few years ago may damage this current case the RIAA is trying to bring against Howell.

I

[Thor]

IMO, if the music and movie industry wants to give a free replacement of damaged CDs and DVDs or give free music ripped to MP3 format, then there would be no reason to rip a copy of anything.One answer would be to include an MP3 CD with the CD Audio disk or force the industries to totally convert to MP3.

[djones520]

Guess I'm guilty of breaking the law then.  I copy everyone of my CD's to my computer.  I don't "reproduce" them at all, just store them on the comp incase I lose the CD.  I'd love the music industry to come after me though.  They've lost exactly 0 dollars from me for doing what I do.

[Chris_]

IMO, if the music and movie industry wants to give a free replacement of damaged CDs and DVDs or give free music ripped to MP3 format, then there would be no reason to rip a copy of anything.One answer would be to include an MP3 CD with the CD Audio disk or force the industries to totally convert to MP3.

That's not a bad idea.

[Airwolf]

I posted thsi at a few other boards i belong too. Because of this,I will no longer buy any cds that will give money directly to the Record Companies. That means I'll buy them second hand,borrow them or use the local library.

[Thor]

I posted thsi at a few other boards i belong too. Because of this,I will no longer buy any cds that will give money directly to the Record Companies. That means I'll buy them second hand,borrow them or use the local library.

Even though the record companies make the majority of the money, that kind of cheats the songwriters, musicians, and artists out of their cut. Some of the more savvy artists are selling tunes on their own sites. I kind of like that because most CDs maybe have three or four songs I like well enough to want to listen to them. I don't have a problem paying a $1/ song as long as the lion's share goes to the actual band/ artists/ songwriters. The only problem with that is that sometimes one misses out on some good tunes.

[Flame]

Geez...we make copies of most of our CD's, so each of the kids can have their own copy and I don't have to listen to the fighting over who gets to listen to what in their room!

[Thor]

Flame, I have all my CDs ripped to MP3s and stored on a server hard drive. The whole house is networked. That way, anyone with a computer in the house or garage can access any music file. I have one PC hooked up to a stereo. Or, they can choose certain music files and burn them to a CD for use in their vehicle.

[Rebel]

Flame, I have all my CDs ripped to MP3s and stored on a server hard drive. The whole house is networked. That way, anyone with a computer in the house or garage can access any music file. I have one PC hooked up to a stereo. Or, they can choose certain music files and burn them to a CD for use in their vehicle.

You won't be when I rat you out, you criminal. 

[Splashdown]

I always thought that copying the CD on to your hard drive (or iPod, for that matter) for personal use was perfectly legal. Huh.

Really, though, the CD is quickly going the way of the 8-track anyway. Why shell out 15 bucks for a CD when I can get the two or three songs I want from iTunes, or the entire album for $10?

[Chris_]

The "presumed ripoff" tax on VHS tapes didn't fly -- this won't either.  They are just throwing their underwear against the wall in hopes it will stick.

I bought the music and will be damned if I can't play it on any medium I choose.