Is there a legal difference between downloading music and allowing others to download it from you?

I think from a legal standpoint, it's like allowing someone to copy a video/DVD you have even though it says you're not legally allowed. I'd say it's illegal, but really, how are they going to catch you for it?

When I think about this, I think: Is there a difference between copying answers from the textbooks and having others copy answers from your paper?
I would think so.
But still, as along as it's not commercial, I wouldn't really think it necessary to censor that much. I don't even listen to American music (heck, I only learned who Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, 50cent, etc the other day ,and I'm STILL a bit foggy on American pop culture) because I'm an anime addict. I have about 2GB of anime music on my hard drives. I would buy it but it's not like I'm selling it for money nor am I sharing it (excluding playing it from the computer for friends to hear at school, heh) except Amazon has no copies, and I can't understand those Japanese retail stores-.-
That, of course, is my own opinion.

Both downloading and allowing others to upload from your computer, if the material is subject to copyright law and obtained without paying for it, is illegal, and either way you can suffer more or less severe consequences for doing it. Period.
And plagiarism is plagiarism.
Zarathustra,
Site Administrator

Zarathustra is correct: they are both illegal. However, because of the vast number of music/movie pirates still lurking out there, the RIAA, MPAA, and other organizations usually go after the source of the illegal activity first, before going after individual downloads. This means P2P networks and torrent sites. If that doesn't work, the lawsuits begin.

I would just buy the music. Music sites like iTunes have tons of stuff, and since CDs are not copy-protected (after the Sony rootkit fiasco) you can rip the music to your hard drive. I prefer the latter option; that way, I have a hard copy just in case my hard drive crashes (I have bad luck with computers ).

In addition to such sources as ITunes, many groups offer free or inexpensive downloads of their own music. The Internet is becoming the source of more and more legitimate acquiring of music (much to the dismay of companies who cannot look beyond the traditional distribution methods).
Z

They might want to get with the program or they will be left out in the cold, I found this report interesting.

Forrester Research Feb 2008 report

Adapt or die out is the evolutionary law in economics as well as in biology, and they ignore the "new order" caused by the Internet at their peril. The more clever of the artists are already experimenting with different forms of distribution (many of which eliminate the whole costly apparatus of current CD distribution entirely). There are parallels between MS and open source applications here.
Z

Our school newspaper reported that this American band got tired of getting barely any earnings for the recording company they worked under so they ditched the company and started selling their music through BitTorrent for a jaw-dropping $5 a CD. They were actually really successful. The recording company wasn't too happy about it though.

The Eagles, REM, NineInchNails, and Radiohead (the last 2 are correct I believe), have had the same troubles with their respective labels. All created their own labels and "tried" to capitalize on it (The Eagles had an exclusive to Wal-mart CD-I refuse to make a joke here, REM had a pay-what-you-will to download and then charged $50 for the actual pressing of the CD, NIN has been releasing their singles free over the internet since "With_teeth" came out and allowing fans to remix them for free in contests, and Radiohead just released their new CD so I have no idea whats going on with it, not to mention the fact that I dont even like radiohead so I'm not really paying attention to it). As iTunes and (the now legal) Napster services take off I suspect more bands will follow suit and leave their labels finding they can make more money solo now. Beware though it just means that the labels will hire more Miley Cyrus's to replace the exiting bands, so Pop music hades here we come.

I am told that there are literally hundreds of indie bands offering free downloads of their music, just to be heard and get an audience (or perhaps a "following"). I presume most of it is drivel, but at least its authentic.
Z


An update to Blackspyder's list:

Metallica may join the free music movement:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/web/metallic...9234731698.html

In case anyone is interested, Coldplay will be offering---for one week---a free download of "Violet Hill" a single from its new album soon to be released.

http://coldplay.com/

I am sure the site is already swamped.



NOTE:

If anyone finds exceptionally good free downloads of music, it might be welcome to post about them here and share the information with our readers. If there is enough interest and enough contributions, we would consider setting up a special forum for sharing this information.
Z

http://www.sideload.com/ seems to offer legal mp3 tracks of music. I have no idea about American pop culture, so I can't confirm that. Seems to be true though.

Update for those interested:

NINE INCH NAILS has made its new ten-song, 44-minute minute album entitled "The Slip" available for free download at www.nin.com (free signup required).

Z

Thanks for the link,Z. Downloading now. They only give you 1 hr to download. Would that be enough time to download 86.1 MB, if you were on say Dialup? Just curious.