# Copyright question - May I legally do this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 3, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539 "2004-01-03T23:18:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/21 "2004-01-04T22:42:18Z")
People here seem to be assuming the OP is in the USA. In what country are you, **Lord Ashtar**? In the **UK** you are legally allowed to keep a copy of a broadcast program for a reasonable amount of time. The form doesn’t matter, the time does. From discussions with the police, ‘reasonable’ varies between a week and a month. Basically this is to allow people to record stuff while they’re on holiday and have some time to view or listen to it afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![netscape\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@netscape\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/netscape_6)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/22 "2004-01-04T22:51:27Z")
I think my last post was a little too GDish in some of the things I said about the RIAA. I am sorry about that and wish it to be moved to GD. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/23 "2004-01-04T23:11:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by qts \* > **People here seem to be assuming the OP is in the USA. In what country are you, Lord Ashtar?** I’m sorry, you’re right. I should have mentioned that in my OP. I’m in the US. ---
**Author:** ![freshprince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@freshprince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freshprince)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/24 "2004-01-04T23:58:42Z")
Why can’t people just pull the rod out of their ass? All this guy want’s to do is turn his VHS tape into an MP3. Who really cares if it’s illegal or not? Will George Carlin, or anyone else in the entire world be affected in the slightest for this? I don’t think so. I don’t think anyone lives a life completely bound by the strict definitions of the law. Ever jaywalked? Gone a few miles over the speed limit? Lighten up, take advantage of the wonderful world of technology, and make an MP3 already. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/25 "2004-01-05T00:06:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by freshprince \* > \*\*Who really cares if it’s illegal or not? \*\* The OP cared. In GQ that’s all that counts. You want to debate the issue - take it elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![netscape\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@netscape\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/netscape_6)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/26 "2004-01-05T00:34:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by freshprince \* > \*\*Why can’t people just pull the rod out of their ass? All this guy want’s to do is turn his VHS tape into an MP3. Who really cares if it’s illegal or not? Will George Carlin, or anyone else in the entire world be affected in the slightest for this? I don’t think so. I don’t think anyone lives a life completely bound by the strict definitions of the law. Ever jaywalked? Gone a few miles over the speed limit? Lighten up, take advantage of the wonderful world of technology, and make an MP3 already. \*\* I think it’s more of argueing for the sake of it. I agree any senseable person would tell him to do any regardless of the law, but we’re not that sensable. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2004, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/27 "2004-01-05T01:51:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by freshprince \* > \*\*Why can’t people just pull the rod out of their ass? All this guy want’s to do is turn his VHS tape into an MP3. Who really cares if it’s illegal or not? Will George Carlin, or anyone else in the entire world be affected in the slightest for this? I don’t think so. I don’t think anyone lives a life completely bound by the strict definitions of the law. Ever jaywalked? Gone a few miles over the speed limit? Lighten up, take advantage of the wonderful world of technology, and make an MP3 already. \*\* Copyright law intrigues me. I was ignorant about a part of it, so I came here with hopes of having it squashed. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2004, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539/28 "2004-01-05T01:51:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by freshprince \* > \*\*Why can’t people just pull the rod out of their ass? All this guy want’s to do is turn his VHS tape into an MP3. Who really cares if it’s illegal or not? Will George Carlin, or anyone else in the entire world be affected in the slightest for this? I don’t think so. I don’t think anyone lives a life completely bound by the strict definitions of the law. Ever jaywalked? Gone a few miles over the speed limit? Lighten up, take advantage of the wonderful world of technology, and make an MP3 already. \*\* Copyright law intrigues me. I was ignorant about a part of it, so I came here with hopes of having it squashed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question-may-i-legally-do-this/222539.md?page=1)