Any copyright lawyers lurking?


This is a question regarding the personal recording of vinyl to digital. I believe it was tested in the courts and upheld whereby an individual could record vinyl (at the time to tape). What is the consensus on the legality to record vinyl to digital. Ok, that question is likely a simple yes, it is ok. Here's the real question I'm getting to: let's say I record a perfect vinyl album (some of these could include super high quality 45 rpm remasters) to DSD at the highest quality possible, may I share it legally with a friend whom I am absolutely certain owns a legal copy (whether CD or Vinyl) of the material?

Thanks in advance for the discussion.
ghasley

Showing 1 response by elizabeth

Once it becomes a DIGITAL item, the digital copyright act becomes a part of the equation. And i am certain it is not legal to transfer a digital copy of an item. Period.
I most certainly will not land you in jail, today. but the fact of doing it opens you to all sorts of theoretical problems lawyers love to charge big bucks saving your butt from.
One cannot resell a digital copy, even if you bought it, under the current act.
Loaning a digital copy is also verboten. (loaning the original download is OK, but only if it is still in the form and equipment you downloaded it to. so you would have to give the harddrive, or original files container of whatever sort to the other person, and even that is iffy.
And even if you made the copy, you do not own the copyright to the music.
Fair use is pretty much an unknown with digital stuff, and considering the DIRE penalites in the digital copyright act, i would be pretty quiet about doing anything.
I am not a lawyer.