serleran wrote:
There should be no need to ask politely, seeing as it is illegal anyway. But, I suppose that is of no concern... so, why should those sharing care? I don't see it happening, and it will never stop.
Illegal... yes... but it costs money to go after these guys. That, and the fact that laws can differ from country to country rendering this near hopeless.
Just to give you an example... I'll use Canada (since I'm Canadian). It is perfectly legal for me to borrow the latest [insert favorite artist/band here] album from my neighbor and make a copy for myself. This can be onto a blank tape, CD, or straight to MP3. However, it would be illegal for the same friend to copy it for me (that part is a bit weird).
Why is this (some of you may be wondering)? Because just over 10 years ago they amended (or created) a tax to be levied on blank media figuring that something like this might happen. This hidden tax is collected and distributed or is used to support the recording industry. Of course, back then a blank CD was between $15 and $20 each, tapes were more common and expensive than they are now, and no one even heard of 'mp3'
As such there is a big push to amend some of these laws for the past couple of years.
However because of those guidelines put in place, for me to Download an MP3 from a stranger it is very much like I'm borrowing and copying a CD from that person. This makes it legal... or at the very least a 'grey' area. The RIAA can't touch us... and the Canadian equivalent can only wag their fingers.
Sweden have a very liberal view towards copywrite in general.
So bottom line... yes it's wrong... but outside of North America, this becomes a headache to try and enforce.
Moriarty the Red
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