So I am going legit from downloading music because I finally am convicted by God this is something that I shouldn't be doing. But another curious thought came to mind, and thats suppose I bought an album from Itunes, and then a friend wanted a copy, would it be stealing if I burn them the copy? what are my rights when I purchase music? and how can I distribute them legally, if possible?
2007-12-27 01:37:59 · 12 answers · asked by whom_god_giveth 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Other - Music
Okay I am trying to consider everyone opinion on this because it does make sense that I don't own the copyright, but since Im not selling it, only giving it to a friend of mine, is that really illegal? I mean what was the difference with making cassette tapes back in the 80's or was that the same problem as well?
2007-12-27 15:47:32 · update #1
You buy the album; you own the rights to play it, but you do not own the copyright to it. You can make a copy for yourself, but once you give a copy to someone else, you've broken the law. You essentially did what only the copyright owner has the right to do. Your friend doesn't own that album and doesn't own the rights to play it, so he has broken the law by "accepting" music (in the form of the burned disc) and you have broken the law by "offering" music to someone. That's how all those people got burned in the Napster lawsuits; they may never have downloaded a song in their lives, but they had their entire libraries up for anyone to grab.
The same goes for DVDs. Formerly, the law did not specify that you couldn't give burned CDs or copied VHS tapes to your friends; it simply said you couldn't make a profit off of it. The law has been specified, and if you read the info at the beginning of the movies (the big red screen with the warning), you'll see that it says you can't copy the movie for your friends either.
Here's a pretty good website about this issue:
http://www.copyrightguru.com/file_sharing_faq.htm
2007-12-27 02:07:05 · answer #1 · answered by xK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they have a copy and it is not paid for, then yes it is stealing.(kind of) I burn new CD's when I get them and keep the original put up so they don't get scratches on them so I can enjoy it for a long time. I feel I should pay for the music, but I'm not paying twice, just because of a few scratches
2007-12-27 09:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by WJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is legal for you to burn a copy for YOUR OWN personal use.
It is ILLEGAL to sell or distribute this copy in any way .... thus giving the copy to your friend is technically illegal.
2007-12-27 09:52:17 · answer #3 · answered by conchobor2 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You legally can burn a copy for your own personal backup, but not to give to someone else.
2007-12-27 09:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by DR V 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think if you use it for your own personal use or something like that it's ok to make a copy but it's not if you sell it or try to make a profit.
2007-12-27 09:40:54 · answer #5 · answered by Just Me 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes because it is copyright but I know many people do it anyways
2007-12-27 09:58:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it's fine. As long as you don't sell it to repay the cost of the album. You already paid for the album- it is yous to share. Everybody does it.
2007-12-27 09:47:21 · answer #7 · answered by Nick H 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋
yes it would be considerd stealing if your planning on giving or selling that cd to someone else.
2007-12-27 09:43:30 · answer #8 · answered by killer Leprechauns 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Its the same with dvd as long as your not selling them for money it's fine.
2007-12-27 09:42:33 · answer #9 · answered by Craig M 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is only illegal if you sell it! If you give it away its fine!
2007-12-27 09:42:09 · answer #10 · answered by Zer0burst 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋