iPod movie rips illegal says US

Ripping DVDs for viewing on portable devices like the Apple iPod is illegal

The US Library of Congress has ruled that owners of Apple iPods , and other portable video players, are not allowed to copy CDs or DVDs they've legally purchased on to their devices.

The ruling came despite lobbying by a number of bodies, including teachers and university professors, for an exception to the law. While the Library of Congress did allow an exception for teachers, ordinary members of the public cannot copy their CDs or DVDs.

The ruling comes amid confusion over American citizens' rights regarding 'fair use'.

In 2005 the Recording Industry Association of America ( RIAA ) appeared to allow condone CD ripping in its legal submission in the MGM vs Grokster case. The RIAA's lawyer Don Verrilli told the court: "The record companies, my clients, have said, for some time now, and it's been on their website for some time now, that it's perfectly lawful to take a CD that you've purchased, upload it on to your computer, put it onto your iPod."

However the RIAA appeared to change its mind last February in a submission as part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ( DMCA ) rule-making proceedings, where it argued that both time-shifting (recording to watch later) and format-shifting (ripping to another device to watch in another location) infringed artists' copyright.

In the UK, of course, there is no such confusion. Any and all copying or duplication of any content on any media is an infringement of copyright unless you've sought permission from the copyright holder first. There is no 'fair use' clause.

However the Institute for Public Policy and Research ( IPPR ) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr. Gordon Brown in October to enshrine the concept of 'fair use' into UK law. The IPPR called for the law change in its report Public Innovation: Intellectual Property In A Digital Age. Richard Preston / Rob Mead

TOPICS

Tech.co.uk was the former name of TechRadar.com. Its staff were at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution, and spearheaded the move to bring consumer technology journalism to its natural home – online. Many of the current TechRadar staff started life a Tech.co.uk staff writer, covering everything from the emerging smartphone market to the evolving market of personal computers. Think of it as the building blocks of the TechRadar you love today. 

Latest in Portable Media Players
FiiO JM21 portable music player on a white surface
I tested the FiiO JM21 portable music player and it's hard to believe an entry-level digital audio device can sound so good for so little outlay
Shanling M8T Hi-Res Music Player laid out on wooden table, with black headphones nearby.
This portable Hi-Res Audio music player has a tube amp and Android, for a serious mix of the retro and modern
We Are Rewind cassette player at CES 2025 on the show floor
This modern cassette player with Bluetooth (and matching retro wireless headphones) might've been my favorite music experience at CES 2025
FiiO M23 on a wooden table
FiiO M23 portable music player review: delicate yet muscular, assertive yet subtle, lavishly detailed and vaultingly dynamic
Activo P1 on a mustard-colored blanket
Activo P1 music player review: Astell & Kern audio quality for considerably less cash
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player playing Chick Corea on a white surface
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player review: another huge step forward in energetic, open sound
Latest in News
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Rennovations
Disney’s giving a classic Buzz Lightyear ride a tech overhaul – here's everything you need to know
Hisense U8 series TV on wall in living room
Hisense announces 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, with screen sizes up to 100 inches – and a surprising smart TV switch
Nintendo Music teaser art
Nintendo Music expands its library with songs from Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Tetris
Opera AI Tabs
Opera's new AI feature brings order to your browser tab chaos
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
The iPhone 16 Pro on a grey background
iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 8K video recording – but I want these 3 video features instead