Interesting news this morning from the UK, where the BPI (the CRIA equivalent) has called for a right to private copy music from CDs to other devices. It is technically illegal for anyone to copy a CD onto their computer for the purposes of downloading music onto their own portable music player. While that form of fair use makes sense (and should be adopted in Canada), it should be noted that the BPI likely still envisions a world where they can use DRM, rather than the law, to limit such copying.
BPI Calls for Private Copying Right
May 10, 2006
Tags: bpi / copyright / criaCopyright Microsite - Music IndustryCopyright ColumnsCopyright Microsite - Canadian CopyrightCounterfeiting - CopyrightCopyright Microsite - Digital Rights ManagementCopyright Microsite - Copyrigh / private copying
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Law Bytes
Episode 279: My Keynote on Digital Sovereignty: Control, Choice, and Connection
byMichael Geist

October 19, 2026
Michael Geist
August 10, 2026
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The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 279: My Keynote on Digital Sovereignty: Control, Choice, and Connection

Current fair use
While that form of fair use makes sense (and should be adopted in Canada)…
Can you explain, please? My understanding is that it is currently perfectly legal for me, as a Canadian, to copy a CD to my computer for a variety of personal uses.
UK copyright terms
He was discussing the terms of copyright in the UK
Well today they announced that they wont prosecute anyone who rips a legitimatly purchased CD for your Ipod http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06/07/bpi/
How magnamonous of them. Im at a despair with these companies that mess around with our fair use and then patronise us with that fair use that we have always come to expect