RIAA Shenanigans: Riping Your Music is “Illegal”
February 16th, 2006
The EFF has a great article up about some recent statements by RIAA during the on-going DMCA rule-making proceedings.
It seems the RIAA doesn’t have a very good memory, or at least are hoping that no one else does. Although they actually said that ripping CDs was legal during the ill-fated Grokster case, their new statements are in direct opposition.
I love this bit from the EFF:
If I understand what the RIAA is saying, “perfectly lawful” means “lawful until we change our mind.” So your ability to continue to make copies of your own CDs on your own iPod is entirely a matter of their sufferance. What about all the indie label CDs? Do you have to ask each of them for permission before ripping your CDs? And what about all the major label artists who control their own copyrights? Do we all need to ask them, as well?
You can also read a lot more about this at arstechnica.
And just one note for those who may not be aware: RIAA does not *make* or *enforce* any laws. The government does, and they are *not* part of the government. Just FYI: they like to call things “crimes” that they think should be illegal.
