Is it legal to convert my LP records into MP3 and CD for personal use?

Attorney answers (4)

1. Licensed in CA

   

   Daniel Ballard

   Sacramento Intellectual Property Law Attorney

   Contributor Level 19

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   Answered March 12, 2011 07:14. Yes.

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2. Licensed in CA

   

   Pamela Koslyn

   Los Angeles Business Attorney

   Contributor Level 20

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   Answered March 12, 2011 19:00. Yes. What you can't do is make copies of copyrighted music for any non-personal use. Please see the RIAA's link below.
   
   Disclaimer: Please note that this answer does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on, since each state has different laws, each situation is fact specific, and it is impossible to evaluate a legal problem without a comprehensive consultation and review of all the facts and documents at issue. This answer does not create an attorney-client relationship.

   • RIAA - piracy and the law

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3. 

   Maurice N RossPro

   New York Intellectual Property Law Attorney

   Contributor Level 19

   

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   Answered March 14, 2011 11:07. Yes, but you need to be clear about "personal use." This means that you are converting the LP's into MP3 files only for your use and enjoyment---and not for the purpose of distributing or sharing the music with others. If your purpose is to resell copies of the music and/or even if your purpose is to distribute copies for free, this might still constitute copyright infringement.

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4. 

   Daniel RosenthalPro

   MD Internet Lawyer

   Contributor Level 13

   

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   Answered March 13, 2011 11:10. Yes, this is a legal use. You can actually buy software that makes this process pretty much automatic (as much as it can be with an LP, obviously).

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