Soulseek legal?

[chappie]

If you download and play the music for your own listening pleasure only, are you breaking the law if you don't pay to download it? There seems to be a lot of differing opinions on this, anyone know for definite please?

[johntheplamf]

You are definitely breaking the law, as the record company are not getting a penny for the product which they have produced. Saying that, you should try Limewire, It's brilliant....Allegedly

[chappie]

Thanks for that. Do you have to be "caught in the act" while actually downloading, or do the authorities have the means to search your computer at any time and find your illegal stash? It sounds like a daft question but it is something that has been worrying me for a while now. Thanks.

[LeMarchand]

There are a number of precautionary measures you can take, but you will leave an electronic trail that can be tracked back to you.

[chappie]

If you take all the music off your computer, (burn it onto CDs), then delete all the music files, can it all still be traced and potentially lead to a prosecution?

[Bob A Job]

There is a problem with the copyright in that, You cannot be prosecuted for individual downloads but only for uploading copyrighted material. Most 'P2P' share programs include simultaneous uploading to maintain the networks database. if you control your uploads you can reduce the risk of being prosecuted but it is still illegal.

If you have bought, at any time in your life an album by an artist. You are legally entitled to have that album for the rest of your life. I live abroad and did not bring my music library with me, but i have downloaded music that i did have. Record companys have no right to question these files as i once paid for that copyright. Nearly all prosecutions have been from file 'UPLOADING' not downloading.

[LeMarchand]

Unless you are using secure file deletion methods, traces will remain on your hard drive. Besides, it is the act of downloading that first violates copyright.

I'm not covinced that Bob is correct; it is possible to be prosecuted for downloading. Also English copyright law does not all for the creation of back up copies, so that loophole does not apply.

[Bob A Job]

LeMarchand, You are legally entitiled to one backup copy of any material you have bought and paid for. However alot of CD/DVD's come with 'protection' on them and it is illegal to tamper with this, thats why some copying software is law breaking.

Technically it is illegal to download, but as i recall until now the only people who have ever been prosecuted in England are people who share very large amounts of music (+3000 songs).

[LeMarchand]

It is permitted to make a back up of a computer program, but not music (or movies/TV/books etc).

http://copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p01_uk_copyright_law

[Bob A Job]

so putting you CD's onto your Ipod is illegal?

And microsoft Windows Media Player is breaking the law by intergrating a 'ripper' into its player?

I think you will find that link is in reference to, if you copied someone elses music and released it as your own. Not the rights to copy music bought legally and use for your own listening on other media.

[LeMarchand]

so putting you CD's onto your Ipod is illegal?

Technically, yes (in the UK), as is making compilation tapes/CDs. In fact, the RIAA have started making noises that Apple should be giving some money to them for each iPod sold! You'll also notice that by default WMP tries to lock your tracks with DRM - I wouldn't be surprised if that's the only way you can rip within a couple of versions. Plus don't forget that in the US you are allowed to make "back ups".