Is this legal???

[J***@hotmail.com]

Hi everyone,

I went to my local library and realized that it is chock full of new
release CDs and old classics. So, I rented about 20 CDs (its free to
rent them) and headed home.

I was about to start ripping the CDs (for personal use - NOT to share
on Kazaa) and then thought, is this legal? I'm interested in your
thoughts.

1. Is ripping a CD from the public library and then storing it as an
MP3 file legal? Assuming I keep the MP3 file it after I return the CD

2. Does the quality of the rip make a difference? If I rip at 128k
instead of 340k, does that make it "more legal".

3. While I'm asking, is it legal to record music from the radio?

Just curious. I know I should ask an attorney, but I thought I'd at
least get your insights.

Thanks!
Manta

[RPH]

Post by J***@hotmail.com
1. Is ripping a CD from the public library and then storing it as an
MP3 file legal? Assuming I keep the MP3 file it after I return the CD

No.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
2. Does the quality of the rip make a difference? If I rip at 128k
instead of 340k, does that make it "more legal".

No.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
3. While I'm asking, is it legal to record music from the radio?

No.

At least it is in the UK.

[Stratomaster]

Post by RPH

Post by J***@hotmail.com
1. Is ripping a CD from the public library and then storing it as an
MP3 file legal? Assuming I keep the MP3 file it after I return the CD

No.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
2. Does the quality of the rip make a difference? If I rip at 128k
instead of 340k, does that make it "more legal".

No.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
3. While I'm asking, is it legal to record music from the radio?

No.

In the US, this would be a yes. Under current copyright law,
broadcasting over public airwaves implies consent to record.

Post by RPH
At least it is in the UK.

[occupant]

Post by J***@hotmail.com
Hi everyone,
I went to my local library and realized that it is chock full of new
release CDs and old classics. So, I rented about 20 CDs (its free to
rent them) and headed home.

broadening your scope of listening is a good idea.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
I was about to start ripping the CDs (for personal use - NOT to share
on Kazaa) and then thought, is this legal? I'm interested in your
thoughts.

In the same way you are allowed to photocopy material to broaden your
education,
you are allowed to record music for educational purposes for your own
use.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
1. Is ripping a CD from the public library and then storing it as an
MP3 file legal? Assuming I keep the MP3 file it after I return the CD

The medium you use to record copyrighted sound does not change the
legality of
the recording, it is always the use or intended use that is the
question. Your
purpose or intended purpose is to broaden your listening musical
education.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
2. Does the quality of the rip make a difference? If I rip at 128k
instead of 340k, does that make it "more legal".

The copy quality of copyrighted material, in this case a musical
recording, has no relevance
to the legality of the purpose or intended purpose. For an - extreme -
example, if you sold "blank"
cds on a street corner with nothing recorded on them, but told the
passing public that
it was a copy of the Beatles Abbey Road Album, apart from the criminal
charges of fraud, you could
be sued for selling copyrighted material as you advertised - whether or
not it really was.

If you whisper "pot" or "grass" or "bud" as you stand on the corner and
people walk by, you can go to jail
for a long time if convincted of selling drugs even if it is only flour
because your purposed it to be
what you said it was.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
3. While I'm asking, is it legal to record music from the radio?

In the same way you are allowed to photocopy material to broaden your
education,
you are allowed to record music from the radio/tv for educational
purposes for your own use.

Post by J***@hotmail.com
Just curious. I know I should ask an attorney, but I thought I'd at
least get your insights.

When you ask an attorney, they will likely tell you it is okay and will
defend your right in any court of law.
It is always the judges who determine whether you broke the law when the
owners of the copyrighted material
sues you!

The reason I answered your questions this way is that you seemed way
more interested in the law rather than the humble pleasure of listen.