Downloading music from the Internet becomes illegal

17th January 2008

The Government of Germany adopted amendments to the copyright law. Now downloading from the Internet music, video and software is a criminal offence.
According to the new edition of the law it is punishable only to use "obviously illegal" links, as well as to copy illegally recorded discs. The Federal Association of the Information Economy, Telecommunications and new means of communication of Germany advises the users to treat any proposals of free downloading music or videos with great caution.
There is still allowed to make copies of legally bought CD and DVD disks, but only for personal use or for friends. The law does not specify the permitted number of copies, but in recent years the German courts have defined the maximum of $ 7 copies.

Save on printing