Tech Shout!

Everybody knows that downloading music from the Internet is an illegal act and one that the recording industry looks down upon. But did you know that even if you purchase a CD legally, and then transfer those songs on to your computer, you will be sued?

Now, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is targeting a man for ripping music on to his PC from CDs that he had previously purchased legally.

According to the RIAA, it is illegal for someone to copy music to their PC, even if the CDs were bought on a legal basis.

The targeted man in question is Jeffrey Howell from Arizona. He was targeted by the RIAA for keeping his collection of 2000-odd songs on his PC.

Howell bought these songs on CD and then transferred them on to his computer at home. The RIAA who says that this act is illegal, has now filed against him.

Howell’s lawyer Ray Beckerman commented saying, “Recently, the industry has been going around saying that even a personal copy on your computer is violation.”

Howell’s case is nothing new because the RIAA recently won a $220,000 judgment from a woman who downloaded around 24 songs.