UK Record Industry and Copyright

Private copying of intellectual property seems a confused issue - for the consumer.

Me!

It seems I am not allowed to listen to an original physical CD legally purchased if I am not where the CD exists. I may be travelling or just away from this location. I cannot be in two places at the same time and if I have copied legally purchased music to an iPod (or 'similar' device). I cannot hear it at two places simultaneously.

Why cannot I consider copying this intellectual property, that I have legally purchased, for my own use legal? I am not reselling it, just lawfully listening to my lawfully purchased property.

[Incidentally, the iTrip FM transmitter for wireless use with an iPod and any radio is now legal in the UK - 8th December 2006. Yes, we have caught up with the rest of the world at last. It could hardly have been considered a broadcasting source from WITHIN your car to a distance of only a few feet!]

I am puzzled and more than just a little irritated by the heavy handed assumption that I am doing something to infringe the rights of the copyright holder. I am not. Certainly I am not knowingly acting illegally. But I feel as though I am a criminal.

The rights holder can easily authorise private copying. That is, just shifting from format (CD) to format (iPod) using a legal source of music.

Update: 04.08.2011
Now LEGAL in UK