is it illegal to download music if u make sure that u are not sharing it?
2007-10-05 08:19:31 · 12 answers · asked by Footballer54 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If you did not pay for the music you are downloading, then it is illegal.
2007-10-05 08:25:57 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Everybody else above me is wrong (at least when I started writing this - others may have piped in since) and a victim of too much music industry propaganda over the last few years.
As anytime you ask "is it illegal if..." the answer is "it depends on the circumstances".
The issue is copyright, and copyright is not absolute.
There are exceptions, generally referred to as "Fair Use". Music copmanies are well aware of this. For example, this is what makes it OK for you to copy part of a book in a library without the book police shaking you down.
There are other legal principles that make it OK for the library to lend you the book, or for a used CD store to sell you or even give you, a copy of music that they have.
It is FAR from settled as to how those legal principles, which are well established, but pre-date the digital era, apply in the digital era.
Certainly it is in the interests of the music companies to have you operate in fear, but the truth is, there is no settled case law, nor any specific laws forbidding all downloads as a matter of course.
Nor is there case law or written laws establishing that it is illegal to download copyrighted music without allowing Fair Use.
Fair Use would not be the only valid defense, but it is a really good example.
All such downloading cases are being fought on a case-by-case basis by the music companies precisely because there is no law that covers everything they care about.
2007-10-05 15:34:56 · answer #2 · answered by Barry C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Overall I have to say yes, it is illegal. BUT then it can also come down to where are you downloading it from. Has someone else purchased it and they are allowing you to download it. There are some sites and or artist who do share what they have for free. But these are far and few between. So most likely illegal.
2007-10-05 15:34:34 · answer #3 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you download it without paying for it and it's copyrighted, it is illegal. You are stealing. It does not matter if you share it with others.
If you steel candy from the store and don't share it with others, is it still stealing? You bet!
2007-10-05 15:24:40 · answer #4 · answered by Michael C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it illegal for me to walk into your house and take your TV?
Stealing is stealing. Whether you steal someones TV or download a song off the internet.
2007-10-05 15:24:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's still a violation of copyright law. It's essentially stealing from the artist, as well as the others who worked to record it.
Edit: I should note that this does not apply to every piece of music. There are those pieces which have had their copyrights run out (they have to be renewed), and are considered "public domain". These can be copied and redistributed, so long as you do not charge.
2007-10-05 15:23:29 · answer #6 · answered by Firestorm 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is technically illegal, but in a very stupid way.
It is legal for you to record music broadcast over the radio.
It is illegal for you to download the same music and play it on your PC.
Go figure. Stupid is as stupid does.
2007-10-05 15:28:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
its illegal for copywrited music. There is free music that can be downloaded legally. Try creative commons
2007-10-05 15:27:14 · answer #8 · answered by Larry W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you pay for the download it's legal, If you don't pay for it & don't share it, It IS Illegal!
2007-10-05 15:24:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends, are you paying for your copy? Or are you getting it from someone who is sharing? Also, depends on the artist/record label. Some artists encourage sharing of their music.
2007-10-05 15:23:36 · answer #10 · answered by vyperjeedai 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋