The survey, conducted on-line in July 2002, examined the opinion
and consumption patterns on digital content of 1,005 US adults and
1,009 teenagers. According to the findings, 74% of the respondents
"strongly agreed" that if the music industry sells copy-protected
CDs, it should be required to label them as such.
The survey further found that 82% of the sample believed it is
legal to make copies of CDs for personal use, whilst 60% said they
should be able to give another member of the household a copy.
Making a copy of your own CD for personal use is legal in the
US, but not if the CD has been copy-protected. Record labels have
announced their intent to copy-protect all future CDs. In the UK,
however, there is no right for consumers to make unauthorised
copies of CDs for personal use, either on cassette or CD,
irrespective of copy protection.
This is not the case in other European countries, where copying
for personal use is permitted but a levy is put on sales of blank
media to compensate copyright owners.
P.J. McNealy, research director for GartnerG2 said: "Consumers
will balk if they bring home a CD and find it won't play on every
CD player they own." He added: "Since it's clear consumers perceive
they have the right to make some copies, the lack of labelling will
only contribute to declining revenue for the music industry."
