US Introduces New Copyright Exemptions
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Space-shifting: copying recorded music you own for private use
May 2009
This information is for general guidance only; it is not legal advice.
Because of a special provision in the Copyright Act (section 109A), you can copy from a sound recording you own (e.g. a CD) if:
- the sole purpose is to use that copy on a device that you own (e.g. a computer, iPod or car CD player),
- the use is private and domestic,
- you comply with all the requirements in the special provision,
- you are not copying from a radio broadcast downloaded from the Internet, and
- you are not copying from an infringing copy.
These conditions include:
- you do not sell, rent, distribute, play in public or broadcast the copy.
Section 109A only covers your obligations under copyright law. If, when you acquired the copy you own, you agreed to terms of use (e.g. before purchasing a digital download), section 109A is unlikely to affect those terms of use.
More
- Music: copying MP3s, CDs, & audio-cassettes information sheet
- other copyright topics