It's easy to record Skype calls with the help of utilities such as Pamela and Ecamm's Call Recorder for Mac, but before you get carried away, it's worth being aware of the legal implications of recording conversations.

In the UK, phone call recording is covered by a patchwork of different legislation, and while trying to read through all of it is a task you'll probably want to leave to a solicitor, here are a few basics:

Please not that this doesn't constitute legal advice, so get in touch with a solicitor if you need to make decisions based on this information.

Can I record Skype conversations?

Yes. You're allowed to record calls so long as the recording is for your own use. If you plan to give the recording to a third party -- someone who wasn't on the call -- then you need to take a look at the next question.

Do I have to let people know that I'm recording a Skype call?

No, so long as you're not going to make the recording available to a third party. If you are going to make the recording available to others, you'll need the consent of the people on the call.

What happens if I unlawfully record a call?

It's a civil offence, which means that the people you've recorded have the right to take action against you in court.

Where can I find out more?

Ofcom have some answers to common questions on their website, but if you want the full details, you'll need to dive in to the various bits and pieces of legislation:

• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
• Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999
• Human Rights Act 1998