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FACTS ABOUT CONTENT SHARING/ DOWNLOADING
If I borrow a CD from my friend and download it into an MP3 player,
is it legal?
No. Industry's worst-kept secret today--that most music filling up portable
players isn't purchased from legal download services but taken from peer-to-peer
(P2P) networks or ripped from a user's personal CD collection or that
of a friend.
Is sending of music or video files through the Internet/ MSN
to my friends legal?
It is a criminal offence under the Copyright Act.
My friend created a website and uploaded songs (that are NOT
owned by him) onto it. If I download it from the website, is it ok?
People who put music out on the Internet, uploading files via peer-to-peer
software and allowing others to download them are also illegal. If convicted,
these users could face up to five years' jail and $100,000 in fines, as
making music files available for download is considered unauthorised distribution
of copyrighted materials.
Is it a crime if I burn my music CD into CDR and pass it to my friend?
Burning of CDs for your own usage is not a crime but if this is spread among your friends, it is a crime.
Is it a crime if I share my songs on my computer with my friends through the internet?
It is a criminal offence for any person who willfully infringes the copyright of another to obtain a commercial advantage, or to a significant extent or both. The offence carries an imprisonment term up to 6 months or fine up to $20,000/- or to both.
Related material:
15 Oct 2006, Sunday Times: Download Dos and Don'ts (an excerpt)
06 July 2006: Article on Andy Lau
A JOKE ABOUT PIRATES…
Question: I don't buy it. Pirates care nothing for participating
in the electoral process.
Pirate: Look, can we finish this up soon? I'm having those phantom
pains in my wooden leg.
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