So what changed and why?”
Under that model, nothing. You have always been able to make one copy of your CD, LP, 8 track, whatever, for your own use. I have not seen anyone dispute that and I certainly don’t.
“I could do what I wanted with it, right, including selling it or copying it”
Yes. However, if you buy the LP or CD, copy it for your own use and then decide later to sell it, you would lose the right to use the copy after the sale.
What I have a hard time with is the idea that buying an LP in 1970 gives you a use right to the material 37 years later after the original LP has been worn out for years. Let’s say the LP and your legal personal use copy were both worn out by 1980. How would you have excercised your use right in 1981?
“What I have a hard time with is the idea that buying an LP in 1970 gives you a use right to the material 37 years later after the original LP has been worn out for years.”
Well I don’t have a hard time with it. Was there a time limit expressed or implied? Perhaps impled, given the useful life of the medium back then. But what if I took exceptional care of my LPs, like some of those fancy stereo college guys did, preening and cleaning and never, ever letting anyone else operate the turntable. Would the license expire on any given date. No.
“You have always been able to make one copy of your CD”. Right. So if I make one digital copy of my CD and store it on my computer, which I use as a jukebox, then why should I be culpable if someone else copies it. Is there some theory that I have an obligation to protect the record company’s interest?