We’ve all been there. You buy a CD or DVD and want to transfer it to your MP3 player but the contents have been digitally locked down to prevent this. But you figure that you own the CD/DVD, so you use software to rip the contents onto your computer and transfer it to your iPod.
Well if you have a problem with being prosecuted for this, blame Canada (if you’re Canadian that is) because legislation is now being put forward for consideration that will slap a fine upwards of $20,000 on individuals who circumvent the digital lockdown on their own CDs or DVDs.
The proposed fine for using copies of this material on their iPod or other portable media device is said to be set at $500, whereas the fine of $20,000 is for individuals who proceed to upload and distribute copies of this material online.
According to the Calgary Herald of Canada.com, the country’s heritage minister Josee Verner said: “It shows our willingness to not be complacent in the face of those who use new technologies to unscrupulously steal the works of our creators.”
Meanwhile in Europe, somewhat severe ‘three strikes’ anti-piracy legislation was recently rejected by members of the European parliament, although it had been advocated by both the UK and France.
Had this legislation entered into EU law, ISPs would have been forced to monitor peer-to-peer file sharing for copyright material and essentially ban from their service those guilty of this behaviour in a ‘three strikes, you’re out’ manner.
By Marie Boran
