iPod dubbed legal in Australia
updated 10:35 am EST, Wed December 6, 2006
iPod legal in Australia
Australia's Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today issued a frequently-asked questions (FAQ) document to clarify the practical implications of his controversial copyright reforms. Calling the reforms "groundbreaking," Ruddock said Canada, England, and New Zealand are looking to follow Australia's lead on copyright reform, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The bill passed through both houses of Australia's parliament yesterday after significant revisions were enacted due to criticism from numerous parties. The bill, which before its revisions would have outlawed iPod ownership as well as singing 'Happy Birthday' in public, will become law by January 1st of 2007. The FAQ clarifies that it will be legal to record TV and radio programs for playback at a later date, and that consumers can copy legitimate music to an iPod or other audio device. The document also states that singing 'Happy Birthday' in a public place is perfectly legal, according to the report.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
happy birthday?
I really wish they would outlaw the singing of Happy Birthday everywhere. That has to be the most annoying song ever. Come up with a new one, please.
It sounds like they made a special exception for Happy Birthday, so that song is legal to sing in public, but other songs aren't? I can see Universal suing people for singing "Won't Get Fooled Again" on the subway - after the Americans put them away for violating the Patriot Act.