A new report released by UK-based research firm Consumer Focus on Monday showed that millions of iPod, MP3, and computer users are unaware of violations they are committing when they “format shift” compact disk contents into their music players.
According to the report, at least 17 percent of adult users were not aware of the violations they are committing every time they copy CD contents into their computers or music players.
“The so-called format shifting or changing of CD music contents into MP3, MP4, or other music formats is illegal under the British copyright law. When a person has upload the music files from the CDs to their computers, the shift in the content format can already be considered illegal, even if they listen to just one file,” said Consumer Focus International Director Jill Johnstone.
The government-backed organization’s survey was conducted to more than 2, 000 adult users.
Meanwhile, in a separate survey, research firm Ofcom said that more than 41 percent or rough 18 million adults in UK own MP3 digital music player or iPod devices. The study also showed that there are at least five million Brits who own mobile phones and other devices that can play music files downloaded from their PCs.
Consumer Focus said that since the law was approved by the legislative body, not a single person has been charged or prosecuted with regards to format shifting.
The company also said that the music industry has to seriously consider in pushing for the law to be changed if it want to address the growing problem of piracy not only in the Internet but also in the personal level.
Consumer Focus said that the legislation should be enacted together with the Digital Economy Bill, which is still subjected to debate in the parliament, for the government to be able to be true to its crackdown against illegal file-sharers.
“The credibility of the UK government in the fight against illegal file-sharers and other copyright infringers will fall underneath the floor if they will not be able to address this problem,” Johnstone said.