Legality of Copying CDs to iPod

Article

Legality of Copying CDs to iPod

Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-, iPhone-, iPad-, iTunes-, or Apple TV-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.

View the complete Ask iLounge archives...

Q: I have just bought an iPod. Is it legal to copy music from CDs to the iPod?

- Mark

A: The answer depends on your country of residence. In the United States, yes, it is legal to transfer your CDs to your iPod, if you own the CDs. But your question raises an interesting issue: the fact that the RIAA (the Recording Industry Association of America) has so aggressively attacked people for file-sharing makes honest people wonder what rights they have regarding content they have purchased.

You can copy music from your CDs (importing it into iTunes and syncing it to your iPod), and you can make your own compilation CDs from the tracks you import. You are also allowed, at least in the U.S., to make a copy of any CD or DVD you own, to have a backup in case of damage. And it is generally considered “fair use” to make a copy for a second CD player you may have at home or in a car.

Note that this isn’t the case everywhere else in the world. Some countries make you pay a “copy tax” when you buy blank media (CDs or DVDs), hard disks and even iPods. In exchange for this levy, your rights may vary. Canada, for example, is in the midst of an active debate over whether copying of CDs to the iPod is legal based on the government’s recent decision to stop applying their copying tax to iPod purchases. This hasn’t stopped Apple from selling the iPod, nor has Australia’s apparent outright prohibition on CD copying.

Kirk McElhearn is the author of several books including iPod & iTunes Garage. His blog, Kirkville features articles about the iPod, iTunes, Mac OS X and much more.

The most asked question at iLounge.com:

How do I copy content from my iPod/iPhone onto my computer?

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, Apple TV and iPhone Video Formats

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Mac)

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Win)

Best Speakers?

Best Headphones?

Best Case?

Best In-Car Solution?

Best Battery Extender?

Find more answers in the latest publications in our Library. Free downloads developed by the editors of iLounge!

Ask iLounge Archives:

5-17-13: Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore

5-16-13: Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone

5-15-13: Setting up a ringtone in iTunes

5-14-13: Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad

5-13-13: Backing up and restoring an iPod classic

View the complete Ask iLounge archives...

« Audio File Formats Compatible with the iPod

Snowboarding, the iPod, and Hard Disk Damage »

Comments

If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.

Recent Reviews

New Deals

Shop for Accessories: Cases, speakers, chargers, etc.

iLounge

Article