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Downloading music - what's legal and what's not?

Illegal downloading, uploading and sharing of copyrighted material in a criminal offence in the UK. Being caught pirating, downloading, uploading, bootlegging or sharing files on peer to peer networking without permission from the copyright holder – can lead to hefty fines.

The internet isn’t anonymous. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can identify which computer is downloading what. Of course, that means they can identify which computers are being used to download illegally shared music and films. Not only that, but they can also identify where illegal copies of music and films are being uploaded or shared from.

Is it illegal if I download just for my own use?
Yes. Downloaders who can show that their downloaded music and films are only for personal use may escape the full weight of the criminal law. However, they can still be fined. Downloading copyrighted music and films without paying for it for personal use is not legal – it is still a breach of copyright.

Some ISPs have written to some individuals they believe are illegally sharing music and films – and threatened some with cutting off their internet supply. Some people have been taken to court and prosecuted and ended up with a big fine.

Truth is, downloading music legally is now easier than ever. There’s no real excuse for downloading illegally. Yes you have to pay to buy legal copies of music, but the recording quality will be better and you are paying for music that has taken time and money to create and promote.

There are services now that allow you to listen to music legally without paying for it – services like Last.fm, Spotify and We7.com – all allow you to listen to music for free (and legally) as long as you listen to the occasionally advert. They also allow you to subscribe so that you don’t have to listen to their adverts.

The FrankandHonest.com ‘Finding New Music’ page has some top tip for finding new bands and music.

Links

http://www.nme.com – news, reviews, info.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/ – download itunes for free.
http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/new-music – news, reviews, info.
http://pitchfork.com – news, reviews, info.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/
http://last.fm – loads of music to stream, all free and legal. Subscription rates optional.
http://www.spotify.com – loads of music to stream, all free and legal. Subscription rates optional.
http://www.we7.com – – loads of music to stream, all free and legal. Subscription rates optional.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/technology-gadgets/illegal-downloads-what-happens-if-caught-14392866.html#ixzz0T3yVMDV4

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/technology-gadgets/illegal-downloads-what-happens-if-caught-14392866.html#ixzz0T3xXH2TS

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/technology-gadgets/illegal-downloads-what-happens-if-caught-14392866.html#ixzz0T3w9xmZa

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