Though online streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal have become the defacto way to listen to music these days, there are still quite a number of people with extensive physical music collections. Those looking to transfer a CD or two onto their computer can simply pop it and rip the contents using iTunes or any number of similar apps. It's a system that's worked well for the majority of the digital music age.
Not anymore though. The Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom has just passed a new ruling which bars users from creating back-ups of copyrighted material on their personal computer without authorization.
This means that if you live in the UK and want to turn an album from your CD collection into a digital format, you'll need to repurchase the whole thing again through a digital storefront like iTunes or Amazon.
Torrentfreak contacted the UK IPO and got this response regarding the matter:
"It is now unlawful to make private copies of copyright works you own, without permission from the copyright holder - this includes format shifting from one medium to another."
This essentially makes music players like iTunes, WinAmp, and the like copyright infringement tools because of their CD ripping functionality.
In addition, the IPO's decision doesn't just cover CD's and music. UK citizens looking to backup old VHS tapes, VCDs, or DVDs are now out of luck as well. Copying vinyl records with a USB turn table? Also banned. All of these actions are now punishable by law thanks to this new rule.
The UK government also had their say on the situation:
"As this is a complex area of law, the Government is carefully considering the implications of the ruling and the available options, before deciding any future course of action. The Government is not aware of any cases of copyright holders having prosecuted individuals for format shifting music solely for their own personal use."
