In a year end news report, the RIAA has taken the unusual step of arguing that music transferred to a personal computer is illegal, even though the copies came from legally purchased CDs. The case involves an Arizona man who stored 2000 songs on his own computer and, apparently, there was no sharing involved.
"I couldn't believe it when I read that," says Ray Beckerman, a New York lawyer who represents six clients who have been sued by the RIAA. "The basic principle in the law is that you have to distribute actual physical copies to be guilty of violating copyright. But recently, the industry has been going around saying that even a personal copy on your computer is a violation."
Up until this point, the RIAA on their own website has indicated that while this type of copying may be illegal, it "won't usually raise concerns," provided there is no file sharing. It looks as though this is a new issue to be concerned about as the RIAA continues their campaign to remind us that, when it comes to music, we own nothing.
Thanks to BigAl for letting us know about this news.
