Ripping Music to Computer Illegal?

Photo from source, FOX "News"

Have you ever "ripped" a CD to your computer? It's easy to do. In fact, it is one of the main functions of Microsoft's Media Player, probably one of the most ubiquitous media programs in existence. If you're even moderately interested in tinkering with your computer, you've probably done it.

If you have a prodigious CD collection (as many people do), you've probably found that the transition to MP3s leave you with no place to stick those little silver platters. So, it makes complete sense to transfer them to someplace that you can use them. Well, The Powers That Be are alleging that this behavior is illegal. I believe that horse left the barn ages ago, and they're going to have a very difficult time prosecuting everybody.

One of the comedians on last season's Last Comic Standing had a good joke about media copying. To paraphrase, he said, ripping this CD is stealing. You wouldn't steal a CAR, would you? No, probably not, but if I could BURN a copy. . . .

[Excerpt]

Lawyer: Ripping MP3s Illegal, Grounds for Lawsuit

You, too, could be sued for thousands of dollars by the major record companies — even if you've never once illegally downloaded music.

That's because at least one lawyer for the Recording Industry Association of America, the Big Four record companies' lobbying arm and primary legal weapon, considers the copying of songs from your own CDs to your own computer, for your own personal use, to be just as illegal as posting them online for all to share, according to a federal lawsuit filed in Arizona. . .

Read more at (yeah, I know): FOX "News"