Truce In Music Download Battle

The leading trade associations for the music and technology industries have announced a truce in their battle over downloading music.

Both sides say the compromise will protect copyrights on movies and music without new government involvement. Lobbyists for technology companies will use the new agreement to oppose efforts in Congress to broaden consumers´ rights. For example, they could use the deal to oppose attempts to explicitly permit viewers to make backup copies of DVDs for personal use – or to copy songs onto handheld devices.

The deal could affect efforts to define consumers´ rights under copyright laws. Representative Zoe Lofgren of California has been pushing to make it clear that consumers would be allowed to resell or give away music or movies they purchase.