to put copy bought as a gift for someone else onto my computer? Opinions sought..

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

I've just bought several CDs as a gift, and I really want to be able to listen to some of the music myself.

Is it legal to rip the tracks I want onto my computer, simply for my own personal use, and without making any money from doing so? Or if it not illegal, is it ethical, or moral...?

If you bought them then you can burn a copy onto your computer. it is illegal to then make the files availible by PP file sharing.

Then send the new CD's to your friend

No it is not legal. Legally, the owner of the CDs is allowed to make one back up copy as long as they retain the original copy. So even though you bought the CDs, you are giving them as a gift to someone else so you can't keep a copy for yourself.

As for the ethics and morality of doing so, that's open to debate gets popcorn

It's legal as you bought the cds. Not very moral though, using something you're going to be giving as a gift. It's tempting but I couldn't.

Tarenath, then every CD passed on or sold secondhand would have to come with a warning. If it's illegal I'm assuming it's illegal in the same way that recording tv shows was/is.

Thanks. Thought this was going to be contentious...

That's true. You are passing on ownership to someone else, so you no longer own the CDs and are no longer entitled to a ripped copy. Have cross referenced this with DH who is much more tech/legal savvy than me and he has confirmed this.

Apparently you are allowed to keep a copy for a maximum of 24 hours then you must delete it or buy a legal copy.

OK, so I accept it's illegal.

But morally, what do you think? When most of the royalties will be going not to the original artists (small group based in third world country) but to the record company which own the group and to the large retail corporation which sold the CD...?

Thats wrong Tarenath. There is nothing about a 24h copy law??

If you own the origional then you can make as many copies as you like. This is the same for software, games, music, DVD's. What your not aloud to do is make it available for other people to use. I.E Pier to Peir file sharing.

If she owns the disc (she bought it and its in her possetion) she can make a copy. If she passes the ownership on then she should delete it. but who would know?

Who's going to know if you keep a few tracks for your own use?

So you're going to give your friend a present that you've already opened and used?

I would do it

Bah humbug! I'm pretty sure said Artists wont be chasing you down the street for putting their music onto your computer/mp3 player - So long as you don't plan to flog them down the local market with cheapy-looking paper cases then you will be fine!

I always do it! I've got quite a good collection and I always find that it creates a great talking point for the birthday boy/girl - especially if you have never listened to the music before, I bought a friend a White Stripes album about 5 years ago, I had never heard of them but put it onto my computer, really enjoyed it!

Actually when I come to think about it, I remember my mother buying a VHS of four weddings and a funeral for my cousin, she took it home and watched it - it was blank so she had to return it, so REALLY it could be helpful to the person you're buying for

Watching it and passing it on is legal. Making a copy, passing the original on and then deleting the copy is legal. If you sell a CD/DVD/game second hand, legally you should delete any backup copies you have of the content.

Making a copy, passing on the original, but keeping the copy is illegal. As is making a copy and passing the copy on or making it available online etc.

In reality it's really unlikely you'd get caught for it, and loads of people do it. Ethically I'd say it's better than downloading an illegal copy straight off.

Your point about morally what's the point as most of the royalties will be going to the record company is irrelevant IMO - if the band themselves get such a small share then surely it's MORE moral to buy the extra copy and give them that extra income.

Do it, I would!

In these recession times we all need to be more creative....

If the cellophane was open I might; closed I would ask the recipient after the gift was given.

It is illegal but not, in my opinion, immoral. I would do it and not think twice about it :)

Yep, have done, would do. Have told friends as well. No different from borrowing to burn a copy after. It's not a second hand gift, it was bought for them and they get it in perfect condition.

Ethically fine, legally - meh.

Absolutely wouldn't. You bought it for someone else, using it first is cheap. If I were going to do that then I might as well ferret around in my cd collection to pull out something to give, there's no difference.

Surely the recipient of the gift will know you have listened to it as you will have opened the cellophane? - Id be if someone gave me a gift that was opened and listened to!

Ethically it's fine. I have always done this. As long as the CD still looks brand new when you wrap it up and give it to your friend (although there's no shame at all in telling your friend this).

NB, not all CDs, or even most, come wrapped in cellophane.

Following on, is it unethical to give a gift that has been used, but the use isn't apparent and it still looks brand new?

I'm frequently caught out without birthday presents for (young) children, and have several times now fished out a picture book from DD's huge collection. She gets new books every two weeks and many have only been read to her once or twice, so still look brand new. On a few occasions I have fished out a nice copy of The Gruffalo, or whatever, from her book shelf, wrapped it up and given it.

What do you think of me for that?

Ps, I live overseas, it's difficult to buy anything decent at short notice, especially English language books.

Do this all the time. No shame, no money so cant afford shame