downloading music

can some one clear this up for me.

is it illegal to download music for nothing, IE you dont pay for it.

has there been any prosecutions in NZ for downloading music illegally.

i believe the music companies procecute for non payment of music

Techinically, YES.

To the best of our knowledge, no one has been prosecuted.

But there is a new law that government is bringing in. So things may change.

Actually, no. There are certain places that will allow, or even encourage music downloads. The issue comes down to copyright, and whether someone has permission to make copies. In any case it is a civil, not a criminal matter.

You do not have permission to copy Britney Spears' latest album (sorry, Rob) because SONY, BMG, Warner or whoever have not given permission. They retain the permission themselves, make CDs and sell them to you. They also give permission to Apple to put them on iTunes, and other pay-for online outlets.

I think, since you asked the question, you actually know the answer. Downloading something for free that you know you should be paying for is wrong. It's illegal and you could be prosecuted. However, if you look beyond the mainstream pap that dulls the masses you might find something legitimately free that you really like.

Some bands will give away their music, and encourage you to copy it. It gives them exposure, and they'll make money on concerts and merchandise. But, they explicitly say so.

I googled for "legal free music" and got this link (amongst others)

www.redferret.net/pmwiki/pmwiki.php

So the answer is, as always, it depends. Don't get caught! Oh, and one way not to get caught is not to talk about it in a public forum. Another way is to write to your MP and demand that this should not be illegal anyway. Unfortunately the government has anticipated this and shafted us all anyway:

www.stuff.co.nz/4717723a28.html

A

(Let's talk about DRM next...)

its my son who wants to come and put some music on his i pod, i was in the background so did not get the whole story, i will have a chat to the boss and see what the full version was, i was not sure on the legal standpoint,

thank you

linewire.com/
This is the site where my niece & nephew download their free music. As far as I know you have to register but dont have to pay any $'s. I am intending to download the new Kid Rock song ; reminds me of my younger years ... lol

thanks BB

Are you sure?

www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/302/RipOff0302013.htm

www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/linewirecom-c14736.html

Don't you mean "limewire.com" (with an 'm')?

www.limewire.com/about/copyright.php

Are your Kid Rock files legitimate?

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Ame, I have no idea as I havent actually been into the site myself.

I have consulted my teenager and he says everyone uses Limewire but it's not legal. itunes you pay for, also torrent is free but not as safe as Limewire.

Lol, it seems Linewire and Limewire as the same site (or similar). Just checked them out. Linewire, it seems, you have to pay a rego fee and Limewire you can download free. Says its legal...mmmmm ???

The site (liMewire) is legal. Using the software is legal. Doing illegal things with the software is, er, illegal.

A