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Illegal Music Downloads

How can you tell the difference between illegal music downloads versus ones that aren't?

More importantly, is there a way that you could download songs from sites claiming they're 100% legal, when in fact the downloads are illegal?

To answer, the source where you get the music is important. Simply, if you download music from one of the reputable, legal sites, then it is truly 100% legal. If you don't, then it may or may not be illegal music downloads.

It is important to recognize whether or not your songs are coming from these legal sites, or from peer to peer (P2P) sites. These are non-licensed internet sites whereby if you download a copyrighted song without the label's permission, then you're dealing with illegal music downloads. These include sites that have the slogan: "100% legal" on them.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), starting in 2003, brought lawsuits to several users who illegally download and upload, songs on the internet. It is the consensus of current U.S. Federal statutes that downloading and uploading copyrighted music from a P2P site is like shoplifting from a cd store. Whether this stance will be upheld in the future, and how artists will make money in the future if downloading from any site is suddenly declared legal, remains to be seen.

So... how can the RIAA track you down? Well, really you only have to worry about this if you are using P2P software. If this is the case you will have to know the the in's and out's of P2P's in dealing with illegal music downloads. It is by this method that the potential for illegal downloading exists.

For now though, your best bet to download music is from the legal music sites. Yes, it is more expensive to use these sites, but if you know to approach them the right way, you will be spending pennies on the dollar versus buying a cd at the store. It is possible to get the cheapest music downloads from these legal sites.

OK, so we've confused you now? Are you wondering how in the world to tell a truly legal site from one that's not? Well this is just a matter of knowing which sites are truly legal. So... here they are for you.

We do not recommend all sites - not because if legality issues, but because of other issues, such as features, components, performance, etc.

So have a careful look at each recommended service and decide which may be the best for you.