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**Chris** · 17-07-2015, 18:53

Technically, the UK's Copyright, Designs and Patents Act makes *all* unauthorised copying unlawful. It does not have a "fair use" clause, similar to the one in the relevant legislation in the USA. It has always been unlawful to back up or rip your CDs or DVDs to an alternative format.

HMG's attempt to bring the law into line with common consumer practice by the use of regulations is what is at issue here - the courts have simply ruled that the government does not have the power to change the law, or at least change the way the law works, in the way that they have attempted.

Nothing is going to change here. I ripped my first CD to iTunes about 15 years ago and have done so regularly ever since. I have no fear of ever being taken to court over it.

HMG might just now do this properly, and give CDPA a thorough overhaul. But I doubt it.

17-07-2015, 18:53	#6
Chris Trollsplatter Cable Forum Team Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North of Watford Services: Humane elimination of all common Internet pests Posts: 38,390	Re: Ripping CDs now illegal again Technically, the UK's Copyright, Designs and Patents Act makes all unauthorised copying unlawful. It does not have a "fair use" clause, similar to the one in the relevant legislation in the USA. It has always been unlawful to back up or rip your CDs or DVDs to an alternative format. HMG's attempt to bring the law into line with common consumer practice by the use of regulations is what is at issue here - the courts have simply ruled that the government does not have the power to change the law, or at least change the way the law works, in the way that they have attempted. Nothing is going to change here. I ripped my first CD to iTunes about 15 years ago and have done so regularly ever since. I have no fear of ever being taken to court over it. HMG might just now do this properly, and give CDPA a thorough overhaul. But I doubt it.