Copy wrong - a report for (PM in waiting) Gordo

Silicon.com's Tim Ferguson writes that some copyright laws are as much as 300 years old and their legal interpretation means consumers who copy CDs and DVDs in order to transfer them to their iPods or equivalent media players are breaking the law.

Kay Withers, who researched and compiled a report for the Institute for Public Policy Research
told silicon.com this is a "key immediate issue for consumers" as "IP law affects absolutely everyone". She added that copyright law needs to be updated to come in line with public preferences for the way media is consumed.

The recommendations are aimed at a review of intellectual property which was set up by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, last year and is due to report its findings in next week.

There is a great case for significant lostening of control. Very little copyright material has any value. Mostly it is a vehicle for creating value. A new legal structure that recognised copyright as the vehicle for creating value would be a big step forward.