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[Lucky Rathen]

I have a CD copy of OK Computer by Radiohead that I bought way back when. Due to extreme overplaying, it's now scratched to fuck and doesn't play anymore.

So I downloaded a torrent of the album off Torrentspy, which I know is of questionable legality, but i thought that if I had a copy of the CD that I had paid for then it was OK? Or am I just talking bollocks? I just want to know.

Thanks

B.E.

(disclaimer: Brother Elwood does not condone illegally downloading music. Don't do it kids, it's killing the music industry)

[Afro Droid]

It's certainly morally right IMO.

[Rob]

but i reckon legally wrong

[Lucky Rathen]

I know when I used to download Megadrive games for my old Megadrive emulator, the FAQs on the download site claimed it was entirely legal to download the games provided you already possesed a cartridge of the game which you had paid for, as by buying it you had also bought a 'license' to play the game. Thus if you wanted to download it and do it on a PC instead of a Megadrive then that was OK.

I also know that if you buy a CD, you are legally allowed to make 1 copy of it as a backup copy for your own use (ie in case yours gets destroyed in a fire), so I think downloading a copy for the same reason would be OK. I can use the argument that I wanted an MP3 backup to put on my iPod, which is just the same as me popping the CD in my computer and ripping it and putting it on my iPod, which is entirely legal.

[soundian]

Originally Posted by Brother Elwood

I know when I used to download Megadrive games for my old Megadrive emulator, the FAQs on the download site claimed it was entirely legal to download the games provided you already possesed a cartridge of the game which you had paid for, as by buying it you had also bought a 'license' to play the game. Thus if you wanted to download it and do it on a PC instead of a Megadrive then that was OK.

I also know that if you buy a CD, you are legally allowed to make 1 copy of it as a backup copy for your own use (ie in case yours gets destroyed in a fire), so I think downloading a copy for the same reason would be OK. I can use the argument that I wanted an MP3 backup to put on my iPod, which is just the same as me popping the CD in my computer and ripping it and putting it on my iPod, which is entirely legal.

"Many people are not aware that copying CD's that they own to their MP3 player is actually illegal in the UK. Despite there being a wealth of software tools, such as iTunes, that are designed to do just that."Tracy and Matt's Blog - Calls to make CD copying legal
Also
"Indivuals who make a copy of a copyrighted DVD, CD or music file, whether for back-up or for use on another device such as an MP3 player, are committing a crime" Copyright law catches up with UK surfers - vnunet.com

Morally right but, it appears, legally wrong. I don't think any record company is going to go to the trouble and expense of suing you over it though.

[Elizabeth]

That's total bollocks imo.
If you buy the CD and it's broken to hell; sure, download it.
Radiohead aren't going to die out anytime soon.
...and, this uploading CDs to your PC being illegal is actually taking the piss.
What the fuck?

Although, I feel bad if I download something and then don't buy albums of their's/go to their gigs.
I need to feel like I'm at least TRYING to support the band in some way.

[Lucky Rathen]

Originally Posted by soundian

"Many people are not aware that copying CD's that they own to their MP3 player is actually illegal in the UK. Despite there being a wealth of software tools, such as iTunes, that are designed to do just that."Tracy and Matt's Blog - Calls to make CD copying legal
Also
"Indivuals who make a copy of a copyrighted DVD, CD or music file, whether for back-up or for use on another device such as an MP3 player, are committing a crime" Copyright law catches up with UK surfers - vnunet.com

Morally right but, it appears, legally wrong. I don't think any record company is going to go to the trouble and expense of suing you over it though.

I'm very surprised to read that. So even if you own a fully functioning brand new CD, the only way to stay on the right side of the law is to download it again off iTunes? man that sucks.

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

That's total bollocks imo.
If you buy the CD and it's broken to hell; sure, download it.
Radiohead aren't going to die out anytime soon.
...and, this uploading CDs to your PC being illegal is actually taking the piss.
What the fuck?

Although, I feel bad if I download something and then don't buy albums of their's/go to their gigs.
I need to feel like I'm at least TRYING to support the band in some way.

I sometimes download a few songs off an album until I hear whether it's good or not. if it sounds good I go out and buy the album. What's wrong with 'try before you buy'? Mind you I then rip the album and put it on my ipod, which it turns out is illegal as well!

[Elizabeth]

You just can't win with these music/law types.
*shakes head*

[scottyboy]

not surprised it's illegal. wouldn't worry, nobody's going to sue you for one cd, of course.

incidently, with regards to the mega drive ROMs, i'd guess they were illegal even if you owned the games, since most ROM sites tended not to last very long, as far as i found... although emulators were easy to get oddly enough.

[Shaki]

I download heaps of albums for free, burn them onto discs, print the artwork out and get my team of malnourished slave children to stick on the stickers and fold the sleeves before I sell them for £5 an album. It's a tidy wee side earner.

I buy the CDs of the bands I really like though so I don't feel like I'm doing any wrong.