Australia legalizes iPod downloads

The Australian government has decided to change its copyright laws, allowing users to record television programs and transfer music from CDs to an iPod legally. While downloading music and video files from the internet remains illegal, and authorities have threatened to heavily police such activities, the changes will allow consumers to record shows for one-time playback with family and friends. The changes also put in place new enforcement measures to combat piracy, such as on-the-spot fines, proceeds-of-crime remedies, and a change to presumptions in litigation to ease the process of establishing copyright piracy, according to PortalIT.

Users cannot keep the files after one viewing, however, and such recorded content cannot be played for a public audience or for any commercial purpose.

"These are commonsense amendments which will maintain Australia's copyright laws as the best in the world for the benefit of our creators and other copyright owners. Copyright is important and should be respected, that's why the Government is updating our laws to keep pace with technology," said Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.

Filed under: iPod, industry