bassethound
03-08-11, 09:23
An outdated law meaning millions of people are unknowingly copying music illegally is due to be swept away by the Government.
Business Secretary Vince Cable has backed proposals to update what some have called the country's "archaic copyright laws".
At the moment it is technically illegal to transfer content from CDs and DVDs onto a different format such as a computer or MP3 player.
Today the Government is putting the wheels in motion to change this, allowing people to transfer content and make copies for their own and immediate family's personal use.
However, at present millions of people are breaking the law, with many unaware they are doing it.
Copyright lawyer Adam Morallee believes legislation is merely catching up with what is already being done.
"It really does have to catch up and look at what's happening. The people who operate the fast sharing sites are miles ahead of the where the legislators are."
These proposals are in response to a review of Intellectual Property legislation carried out in May. The government is expected to agree with much of the report.
Sharing of copyrighted material over the internet will still be illegal.
However some critics in the entertainment industry believe these proposals are merely altering an outdated law.
What they are not doing is tackling the real and pressing problem posed by illegal downloading.
Jonathan Shalit, chairman of Roar Global which represents artists, told Sky News he is worried about the repercussions for his clients.
"The minute you say it is legal to copy something you're then legitimising it and where does the barrier or boundaries of immediate family end.
"I think it has not bee
Business Secretary Vince Cable has backed proposals to update what some have called the country's "archaic copyright laws".
At the moment it is technically illegal to transfer content from CDs and DVDs onto a different format such as a computer or MP3 player.
Today the Government is putting the wheels in motion to change this, allowing people to transfer content and make copies for their own and immediate family's personal use.
However, at present millions of people are breaking the law, with many unaware they are doing it.
Copyright lawyer Adam Morallee believes legislation is merely catching up with what is already being done.
"It really does have to catch up and look at what's happening. The people who operate the fast sharing sites are miles ahead of the where the legislators are."
These proposals are in response to a review of Intellectual Property legislation carried out in May. The government is expected to agree with much of the report.
Sharing of copyrighted material over the internet will still be illegal.
However some critics in the entertainment industry believe these proposals are merely altering an outdated law.
What they are not doing is tackling the real and pressing problem posed by illegal downloading.
Jonathan Shalit, chairman of Roar Global which represents artists, told Sky News he is worried about the repercussions for his clients.
"The minute you say it is legal to copy something you're then legitimising it and where does the barrier or boundaries of immediate family end.
"I think it has not bee