Computing in the real world
SEARCH FOR: IN:
Guest  Level 00    Register Log in

News 

[Digital Cameras]
Tuesday 6th December 2005
France mulls tough copyright laws 5:03PM, Tuesday 6th December 2005
France is considering new copyright laws that could make the ripping of CDs and the transferring of music to an MP3 player illegal.

The country's parliament will consider extensions to the European Union Copyright Directive (EULA) that would criminalise numerous activities that could lead to copyright infringement. According to French opponents of the proposals these include creating your own compilations from a CD, extracting your favourite piece of music to listen to it on your computer, transferring it to a MP3 player, lending a CD to a friend, or reading a DVD with free software. Infringement could result in a maximum three-year jail sentence.

The new laws would also criminalise the distribution of software or code that enables copyright infringement or the publicising of methods for circumventing DRM restrictions.

The campaigners argue that the bill could further divide French society between those who have access to digital information and those who don't,

Detailed information is available on the campaigners' English language website.

Submit to: Digg  |  Slashdot  |  Del.icio.us  |  Technorati

Related News



Compare Broadband
Broadband?
Compare 50+ packages
Enter your postcode below:
Powered by:
Top 10 Broadband
Bookstore Top 5