Downloading Music
Police Cracking Down On Free Music Downloads
Recently, free music downloads have been a great way to save when buying music. Be aware, unauthorized music downloads are regulated by strict new statutes. Recording industry giants prosecute free music download enthusiasts who engage in unauthorized file sharing. Peer-to-peer websites frequently allow uploading and downloading music without regard for copyright restrictions. In some cases, fines may be up to $150,000 per music download in the U.S. when a user knowingly violates a copyright. Further, children’s actions subject parents to prosecution even though a parent is unaware of the law or their child’s activities. Liability applies to unauthorized free music and music videos.
In the U.S., the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) represents producers and distributors of copyright-protected music. The RIAA claims that less than a 15% share of music to download is produced by non-members. The RIAA aggressively sought and received new legislation in 1999. The new statutes regulate each MP3 music download. Specifically, these statutes created liability for an unauthorized free download music MP3 file.
Throughout Europe, Virgin Records took a leading role in lobbying efforts to enact new legislation to restrict free music downloads. Ultimately, the recording industry giant succeeded in influencing lawmakers. To test the effectiveness of new laws, approximately 30 Swedish police officers raided popular file-sharing site Pirate Bay. During the raid, police offers confiscated 180 file servers and arrested three company administrators.
An uproar within Sweden gathered international attention. Apparently, the raid violated Swedish law. Critics of the raid later produced a letter written by MPAA, the recording industry association, urging Sweden’s State Secretary to influence the police officers to conduct the illegal raid. Nevertheless, enforcement of the new law throughout Europe will continue.
For the recording industry, difficulties enforcing new copyright infringement laws relate to practical considerations rather than legal prohibitions. Consumers are the lifeblood of corporate profits. Should the industry develop a reputation for attacking consumers without just cause, the aggressive legal maneuver could backfire.
Much of the criticism surrounding global enforcement actions pertains to the prosecution of parents for the acts of their children. The amount of potential fines corporations may seek could easily bankruptcy families to redress a child’s unknowing indiscretion.
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