Legal Issues

Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick




Downloading Ringtones Is Copyright Infringement

from the another-Napster-in-the-making? dept

Okay, if you ever needed evidence of some people taking themselves and their industry too seriously, here it is. Some company in the UK is acting very upset that people who download ringtones of popular songs for their mobile phones aren't paying any royalties to the artists for those ringtones. They describe this as (and I only wish I could make up stuff this funny) "another Napster in the making". Somehow, I don't think cheesey ringtones of a Britney Spears song is the equivalent to trading her MP3 files on Napster (which I still don't think is a problem, anyway). The guy also says that they know the "music industry has been hit very hard by this". Huh? The music industry is still making a ton of money from all the studies people have come out with - and I don't think they've been sweating over some kids downloading ringtones.

2 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

Reader Comments

(Flattened / Threaded)

    Apr 23rd, 2001 @ 11:48am
  • No Subject Given

    by u2604ab

    Moreover, the most fundamental problem with Napster isn't even addressed: i.e. where is the one-stop-shop that you can get a "legal" copy of this? Many people would be happy to pay a royalty, but, that system just isn't in place.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  • Sep 13th, 2006 @ 4:26pm
  • Case?

    by Ryan

    Is this in reference to an exisiting case? Do you have any information on this case (parties, etc.)

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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