ot MP3 downloading legal or illegal?

[mystere79]

cut the copyright law jeebuleesh and give it to me stright!
I use napster or website and download latest pop, which I do not own a CD.
And I keep it.
I know I cannot have mp3s on my website server to distribute.
My main concern is downloading mp3s.

 

[jmcoreymv]

Yes its illegal, will you get caught? No.

 

[noxipoo]

theres an OT forum just for this btw. and yes its illegal, metallica will come over and beat you down punk!

 

[Erasmus-X]

The MP3 format itself is not illegal. The distribution of copyrighted works (whether it be in the form of bootlegged CDs, cassette tapes, MP3s, etc.) without written consent of the artist and/or owning company is the part that is illegal.

But then again, the distribution of copyrighted music is almost just like pirated software. The only people who really get caught doing it are those who actually wrongfully gain from it (i.e. warez CD and DVD bootleg warehouses in 3rd-world countries).

 

[glen]

The US Supreme Court says it is legal.
Look up 1984 decision in Sony v. Universal Studios.

Basically all non commercial duplicating and trading is legal in any quantity and format.

 

[BigToque]

There are many free MP3's out there. Its only illegal when you download copyrighted songs.

 

[glen]

huh?
Am I missing something?
Look up 1984 decision in Sony v. Universal Studios.
If the supreme court thinks it is legal, who here is going to argue with them?
It might be immoral, but it IS legal.

 

[Zucchini]

Eh? I thought that decision was about the right to copy something you already own a legit copy of.

 

[BurnItDwn]

it's quite illegal to pirate music.


also ... what is the purpose of pirating anything pop ?? they blare it on mtv and the radio so much i don't understand how anyone can like it. Its not worth downloading if you can just turn on the tv or radio and listen to it. Or if its available at a local record store ...

i could understand downloading the album to give it a listen or two before yuou buy it... or i can understand maybe making a massive archive ... and only buying the ones that are really great .. (maybe 200 to 300 cds??)

also .. you have nothing to worry about if you are downloading them

and not only people who do it for profit get in trouble.

I have known people in the past who have been busted for other not so legal things .. and on the side ... their t3 Ftps and the like have been shut down.

if your going to play the mp3 game, have fun, but be careful. and support the artists. I myself love to pirate music ... but i also understand that the musicians need to eat, and they should get compensated for their fine work. If you pirate something and really like it .. i think you are obligated to pay for it.

 

[Pastore]

I don't think it should be illegal to pisten to music that you download from the internetm but if you download it and reproduce it for profit, then I think that is what should be illegal... On another note, I listen to a lot of little known bands, and I usually can't find them on Napster, Scour Exchange, and the like... Little known bands, need to get there money somehow, and I am usually the one to dish out 18 bucks to them...

 

[aUt0eXebat]

BurnItDown:
What is the point of d/l the album, then going out to buy the same thing you just d/l for free? you can just burn in on a CD! That's kinda dumb to go out and buy the CD, all your buying pretty much is the cover art then.

 

[dc]

um, it's called supporting the artist.

 

[urbantechie]

It's illegal yes. But who cares!!!

 

[Dulanic]

I have done the same..... downloaded some songs I never heard of or games..... if I like them I go buy them.... they deserve the money otherwise they will never beable to afford to make another kick ass album or game.

 

[Noriaki]

<< What is the point of d/l the album, then going out to buy the same thing you just d/l for free? you can just burn in on a CD! That's kinda dumb to go out and buy the CD, all your buying pretty much is the cover art then. >>

To reward the artist for their effort in producing the music? You aren't paying for the cover art...I have done this plenty of times, I like an mp3 so I buy the CD.

 

[apoppin]

Unless I am mistaken, there is a court battle right now involving Napster to determine whether it is &quot;legal&quot; or not.

The final word has not yet been said on this issue.

Secondly, the audio quality of mp3s are noticeably inferior to the CD's sound quality (on a hi-fi or audiophile system). That is reason enough to buy the CD unless you are listening in your car or on your portable player (besides the lyrics, notes etc., with the CD).

Finally, this topic should be in &quot;Off-Topic&quot;.