Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ford, GM Sued Over Vehicles' Ability To Rip CD Music To Hard Drive

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-buy-a-car-every-time-i-want-to-steal-some-music dept.

Lucas123 writes: The Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies is suing Ford and General Motors for millions of dollars over alleged copyrights infringement violations because their vehicles' CD players can rip music to infotainment center hard drives. The AARC claims in its filing (PDF) that the CD player's ability to copy music violates the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992. The Act protects against distributing digital audio recording devices whose primary purpose is to rip copyrighted material. For example, Ford's owner's manual explains, "Your mobile media navigation system has a Jukebox which allows you to save desired tracks or CDs to the hard drive for later access. The hard drive can store up to 10GB (164 hours; approximately 2,472 tracks) of music." The AARC wants $2,500 for each digital audio recording device installed in a vehicle, the amount it says should have been paid in royalties.

4 of 317 comments (clear)

  1. Car analogy? by sinij · · Score: 5, Funny

    Could someone explain this to me with a car analogy?

  2. Paying their clients by TWX · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is totally a trolling lawsuit. I mean, just look at their website.

    It's fucking stock wordpress.

    Maybe they're just being frugal. Maybe they're trying to pass on as much money to the artists they represent as possible.

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  3. Re:Good luck with that. by drstevep · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah yeah, I do it all the time. My car is my primary CD ripping device.

    I take my CD out, rip it, then disassemble the car's audio system and pull the hard drive. Take it to my home computer and upload the files.

    Piece'o'cake, why do you think I bought my car, anyway? Driving? Hahahahahahahaha.....

  4. Re:Good luck with that. by MrNiceguy_KS · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah yeah, I do it all the time. My car is my primary CD ripping device.

      I take my CD out, rip it, then disassemble the car's audio system and pull the hard drive. Take it to my home computer and upload the files.

      Piece'o'cake, why do you think I bought my car, anyway? Driving? Hahahahahahahaha.....

    That's nothing. I've set up a massive file-sharing service based around these systems. And it's completely undercover; to the casual observer, it looks like a used-car lot!

    --
    Redundancy is good And also good.