Levy on CD-Rs would be unfair, say consumers

PETALING JAYA: Several Malaysian consumers are up in arms over a call by the Music Council of Malaysia (MMM) for a levy to be imposed on blank CD-Rs, which can be used by consumers to copy music CDs. Darshan Singh, National Consumer Complaints Committee chairman, said the MMM proposal is unfair to consumers. “Legitimate users shouldn't have to bear the extra cost just because certain people are using CD-Rs to infringe on copyright,” he said. Besides, he said, CD-Rs are used for more than making copies of music CDs; they are also used for computer backups and other forms of data storage. “It is unfair for the music industry to impose a blanket charge,” he added. Dinesh Nair, a software developer, agrees. He said MMM's lobbying for the levy is nonsensical and penalises the majority of legitimate CD-Rs users. Source : www.lowyat.net