News
iPod use still legal in Australia
Australia’s Attorney General has clarified the country’s new copyright reforms, informing citizens that everyday activities such as owning an iPod and singing “Happy Birthday” are still legal. “The controversial Copyright Amendment Bill 2006, which, as of yesterday, passed through both houses of Parliament, will become law by January 1,” reports the Sydney Morning Herald. “Before it passed through the Senate, the bill underwent significant modifications, following immense criticism by industry bodies, the media and the public… The FAQ clarified that it would be perfectly legal to sing Happy Birthday in a public place, record television or radio programs for viewing at a later date, and copy legitimately purchased music to an external medium such as an iPod or a CD.”
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1
“has acted to provide all stakeholders with certainty”
Translate: “has acted to please our partners that has contributed to our pocket.”
There should not be a worry about legality in singing happy birthday in the first place. This is a PR stunt to distory the public’s view, to make them think “oh, our government is still protecting us.” What if you want to record TV/radio/back up CD, but they are protected with DRM that prevented those actions? If it’s legal to record TV/radio/back up CD, then DRM should be illegal. Oh wait, backing up your CDs IS illegal: “the bill maintains that it would be illegal to “build up a collection [of recorded programs] to keep indefinitely for repeated use”“
Go figure…
Posted by pata2001 on December 6, 2006 at 1:27 PM (PDT)
2
Right! It is a sad day when we need our Attorney General to clarify that singing Happy Birthday in public is OK!
Imagine a world where it is illegal! Would we be rounded up and sued? If so, by whom?
The world is going crazy!
Posted by Philip Russell Walker on December 6, 2006 at 5:23 PM (PDT)
3
hahaahaha, i can’t believe they even considered making happy birthday illegal to sing.
who votes for these people?
Posted by Andrew on December 12, 2006 at 3:49 AM (PDT)