Quote:
Originally posted by Skunk:
quote:
Originally posted by Timber Loftis:
quote:
Either something is illegal or it isn't.
|
That would depend on the definition of "is" now, wouldn't it? [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img] 
Yorick, I don't have the time to look at it now, maybe this weekend, but I still get the sense you may be mistaken on Aussie copyright law. I am very dubious that Aussie law prohibits making backup copies or making "mix tapes." I'll try to investigate when I get time. [/QUOTE]I'm afraid that Yorik is quite right in his assertions.
See this quick information guide from the Austrailian Copyright Council:
http://www.copyright.org.au/PDF/InfoSheets/G070.pdf
The laws appear to treat musicians as if they don't need exposure - and music lovers as if they are immoral. Draconian to the extreme. If I was an Austrailian musician of any talent, I think I'd move to the US... [/QUOTE]LOL!
As you know, I did move to the US, but not because of the copyright laws!!
As I said, there is a difference between something being illegal, and it being pursued and punished.
Many a blind eye has been turned. Just because it's illegal doesn't stop it happening, but does create a hard line that can be referenced when a serious breech of copyright occurs.
Like saying stealing is illegal, but turning a blind eye to people taking a small cake of soap from a hotel. If you take the TV though, we have a clear policy of not taking property to reference. No confusion.
I AM a Christian and have a very merciful and gracious attitude to things like this, which extends from my thankfulness at Christs grace. I have let slide countless copyright infringements, and ripoffs. It's simply not worth the heartache and causes more damage than gain to get hung up about stuff. I've had ideas stolen, money stolen, credits not given, (most notably on the Savage Garden record) royalties unpaid, session payments unpaid. To be a musician is to be ripped off. But lets face it. I view every cent I make from my craft as a privilege, not a right. I am thankful for every dollar made from music.
If I went around making everyone play hardball.... sheesh.
So don't confuse my attempts at clarity as being a hardarse. I'm simply explaining how it is. Why do you not have the right to make even one copy of your CD? Because you do not own the sound recording, the song or the performances on that CD, you simply own the one copy.
Frankly I don't care if people copy their CD. Just know what you're doing. Understand you're breaking the law. It's not a big deal. It's not depriving anyone of money. I have no MORAL problem with it. The knowledge of the illegality may TEMPER what you do in bigger cases.
There was a time when I was younger that I used cracked music software programs. It nagged at me. Grated at me. Everytime the "crack" screen came up in the presence of some person hiring me to make a track for them I felt ashamed. I KNEW I was doing the wrong thing by the owners of the product.
Since then, I have remained loyal to that company and purchased modern copies of their software. I also, used their software exclusively in colleges to teach people sequencing and computer recording. Meaning increased sales, as people tend to stick to the music program they initially learnt on.
I now.. do not have any cracked music software. It's all legit thank goodness.
What would anger me in discussions about mp3 theft were the
justifications. People saying "the music sux so it's cool to steal it" and other such rot. It's extremely insulting.
If you a copy a CD do it. Just know you are not supposed to. Be mindful then, in handing out copies of someones CD. Say you love a CD. LEND it to your friend. Don't copy it and give it to them.
Anyhow, back to the Aussie laws. They certainly are not Draconian. I find US laws more draconian. Personal marijuana possession, nudity laws, harsher requirements for divorce... these are "draconian."
