Copying music from CDs to tape cassettes would also be banned, and libraries and schools could not copy works for education and teaching under the new proposals.

Plans to restrict the right of individuals to record programmes and music for personal use were unveiled at the launch of a new campaign for a "fair practice" clause in the proposed EU Copyright Directive, currently being deliberated by the European Parliament.

The law is designed to tackle commercial piracy and protect copyright holders.

Blank tapes taxed in most of EU

Frank Harris, of the European Fair Practices in Copyright Campaign, which is backed by other pressure groups, said that although he supports laws to ensure copyright protection, "Brussels must recognise that fair practices in terms of access to copyrighted works is not commercial piracy and causes no damage to copyright holders".

He added: "Under the terms of the directive, converting reading material into Braille or recording a television programme to watch later both risk being condemned as illegal. They could simply be banned."

The hope is that Euro-MPs will insist on changes to safeguard the interests of the blind and partially-sighted, the deaf and partially-deaf, librarians, teachers and consumers generally.

Under current UK legislation, people are exempt from the rules protecting copyright if they video programme at home for their personal use.

In most EU countries, however, consumers have to pay a tax on blank tapes under copyright rules. The levy is used to compensate copyright holders for the use of their material.