10 Music Download Legal Points

Everybody's doing it: downloading music anddownloader's identity.8. It is difficult to give a
sharing files. People who share music files on thedefinitive decision on the interpretation copyright
Internet argue that downloading is legal; todaylaw itself.9. The legal tactics of the U.S. recording
they can be sued by the record industry. Can oneindustry, which have been suing individuals for
be sued without a great intrusion into personalsharing music on-line. The entire music industry
lives of an individual?1. Enjoy music downloadshas changed dramatically. Since file sharing began,
from safe and legal sources. Get the facts andthere has been an increase in the popularity of
not the scare tactics, about online musicDVDs and video games that have put recording
services.2. The prosecution has to able to prove,sales revenue in a slump.10. The Recording
with adequate evidence, that the IP address usedIndustry Association of America (RIAA) desires
for music downloads can bethe industry be compensated for losses due to
linked to the person accused of illegal contentcopying,
sharing. There is a growing concern for "privacy".but what decision would make it a flat-out
Legal experts worry about the "intrusiveness" ofvictory. Can the recording industry prove that its
Internet monitoring in order to prove a courtbottom line was really
case.3. These IP address--numbers--given to useraffected by file-sharing. In the U.S. the RIAA can
by the ISPs are dynamic and change rapidly. Thesue for statutory damages of $750 per song on
starting point is to establisha file-sharer's hard
that there is enough bona fide evidence todrive. But look dramatic price cuts by "big box"
prosecute.4. It is difficult to a pin an IP address onretailers. Once selling music files for charging 99
any one person. The IP numbers that some ISPscents a song was the
assign to their users can changenorm, now look at Yahoo who now offers $60 a
from one "session" to the next. The musicyear for all you can eat program. How can the
industry must be able to link file-sharers toRIAA or CRIA claim such high
specific IP addresses at the times thosedamages?Downloading music has been around
addresses were used for file sharing.5. Since theironly a few years and is still evolving. A good road
are personal freedoms involved, the courts wantmap is needed for what we have to do in the
to make sure that the individual is revealed to thefuture in the area of copyright on the Internet. It
public.6. These copyright allegation lawsuits are adoesn't mean copyright law does not protect
minefield, because they involve the personal"content". For sure, whatever rulings are arrived
information of the defendant.7. In Canada, underat, will have long-term effects for us all.Vincente
its privacy laws, people are protected throughApplegate
court confidentiality orders. In the United States,Dedicated to offering news, articles, and
theinstruction on online music downloads. You have a
Recording Industry Association of Americadefinite choice of music
(RIAA) must get a order to reveal thesources online. Visit for more information.