Home | | Text size: a^- A⁺

Copying of DVDs, CDs verboten

Digital copies of TV programs banned

Filmax launches online megastore

CBS' 'Mother' will join iTunes family

Lawmaker proposes digital TV bill

'Transformers,' 'Ice Age' battle for top(1435 views)

Bruno(1209 views)

Plan for Jackson service unveiled(648 views)

Citigroup, Relativity settle lawsuits(639 views)

'Ice Age' tops Wednesday box office(607 views)

MSNBC takes 'Lockup' overseas(560 views)

BERLIN � Germany's upper house of parliament on Friday approved a controversial copyright law, which makes it all but illegal for individuals to make copies of films and music, even for their own use.

The Bundesrat pushed aside criticism from consumer protection groups and passed the law, which makes it illegal for anyone to store DVDs and CDs without permission. The law also covers digital copies from IPTV and TV broadcasts.

Consumer groups and the Green Party had campaigned in vain to include a "bagatelle exemption," so that the measure would not "criminalize" youths and other private users. The law is set to take effect in 2008.

The law goes beyond previous legislation brought in by the German government to help the entertainment industry. Germany's federal justice minister Brigitte Zypris claimed that the legislative reform brought German law into line with European Union codes.