Music Download Legality and Copyright

Is it okay to download music from the Internet?

It is legal to download music if it is not protected by copyright, or if the download site is licensed to distribute the copyrighted music; however, most music is copyrighted.

There are several web sites which facilitate file swapping and downloading music, much of which is illegal because the music being downloaded is copyright protected. Kazaa Lite, iMesh, and Grokster are examples of these. These sites sponsor peer-to-peer (computer to computer) sharing of music files. Not all of the files being swapped are copyrighted, but most are.

A valid concern when downloading music files is whether they will bring a virus into your computer system. This is less of a concern at brand name legitimate web sites (such as those noted below). In any case, it is best to have up-to-date antivirus and internet security software installed on all of your computers.

Norwood School's policy is too prohibit music download on our network because there is usually no academic reason for it, and it uses up Internet bandwidth.

There is some free music available legally from sites that give songs away in order to promote other sales. Examples of this type of site include:
http://www.rollingstone.com/dds/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/468646/
http://www.liquid.com/

Legal sites devoted to downloading copyrighted music generally charge a subscription or per-download fee. Examples of these sites include:
http://www.emusic.com/
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
http://www.mp3.com/

Many new or independent bands freely and legally distribute their music, hoping to raise their public exposure. An example of this type of web site is:
http://www.epitonic.com/


Is it okay to copy CDs?
If you have purchased a CD (or paid to download the songs), then it is legal to make a copy of your CD; however, it is not legal to distribute copies to others.