Free Music Download Sites Can Be Safe and Legal
Free music download sites are all over the Internet. Done correctly, they are
safe and legal. Artists and distributors offer music downloads to increase exposure
and boost album sales. But beware of P2P file-sharing networks. Legalities are questionable and can get
you in trouble.
Free Downloading Caveats
We hear it on the news all the time. Download music from the Internet and you
could be sued, fined, and/or go to jail. The truth is free music downloads, done
correctly, are completely legal.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is going after
copyright violators. And they should - it's piracy. But there are millions of free mp3 downloads legally available.
RIAA
wants us to believe all free music downloading is illegal. The quickest way to
attract their attention is using file-sharing
services like Kazaa and Grokster. The technology is not illegal (yet), but using
it to share downloadable music is a grey area. And make no mistake, RIAA
can and will find you!
How to Legally get Free Downloadable Music
First understand there are restricted and unrestricted
copyrights. Nearly all songs are copyrighted.
Many copyrights restrict gratis downloads.
But many musicians want to share their music by offering free downloads. Why? Some are unknowns looking for exposure,
but even famous artists know offering free tracks is in their
interest. It inevitably leads to more CD, concert and
merchandise sales. Plus it boosts their image and popularity.
An excellent method to find low or no cost downloads is web sites by or for
musicians. Many sites exist for a particular genre like jazz, hip-hop or
classical music. Their mission is to promote the work of those artists. The site
may be supported by advertising or donations, but visitors are free to download
all the songs they want.
Don't Overlook Paid Download Sites
Most music download sites offer a free trial period. During the trial you can download
perhaps 50 to 100 songs at no cost.
Cancel before the trial ends and the songs cost nothing. Of course they
hope you'll stay and pay the monthly membership fee, which in reality is a cheap way to expand your music collection.
Study the terms to make sure you can keep the songs if you cancel. Also make the
file format is compatible with whatever music player or software you want to
use.
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