Universal copyright laws 'could clarify the legality of file-sharing'

Category: Rich Media

May 19th 08, 12:04

The establishment of universal laws on copyright would remove some of the confusion surrounding the law's approach to downloading, one expert has claimed.

News editor of Web-User magazine Ben Camm-Jones highlighted the need for a global standard as nine record labels launch legal action against an online music provider for copyright infringement.

Among the record labels suing Project Playlist are Atlantic Recording, Interscope Records and Virgin Records America.

The global nature of the internet means that an international standard on the legality of music downloads is needed, Mr Camm-Jones suggested.

"Although precedents have been set, we're still fairly unclear whether what they're doing is wrong or not," he commented.

Statistics published by NPD in January revealed that 49 per cent of nine to 14-year-olds in the US who download music and access podcasting services use Apple's legal iTunes service, while 26 per cent use the free LimeWire software.

About 70 per cent of US residents in this age group use the internet to download music, the study found.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.

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