Is CD copy-protection illegal?
Record companies’ efforts to protect CDs against digital copying are beginning to draw scrutiny from lawmakers concerned that the plans might violate the law. On Friday, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., sent a letter to executives of the recording industry’s trade association, asking whether anti-piracy technology on CDs might override consumers’ abilities to copy albums they have purchased for personal use. A 1992 law allows music listeners to make some personal digital copies of their music. In return, recording companies collect royalties on the blank media used for this purpose. For every digital audio tape (DAT), blank audio CD, or minidisc sold, a few cents go to record labels. “I am particularly concerned that some of these technologies may prevent or inhibit consumer home-recording using recorders and media covered by the” Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA), Boucher wrote.
