Legal Free Music Downloads

In simple words, if you have paid for the music that you have downloaded over the internet, then its legal. Of course there are services which you can try for free (for a limited time) and can keep the mp3 music that you download during trial period, even if you decide to cancel.

There are many file sharing networks where you can download music for free. Sounds good and tempting, right? Well, let me ask you this. If you get caught downloading music over a file-sharing network, what would your defense be?

I have selected two defenses that I feel are most common.

First Defense: I was simply trying out the songs to see if I liked them and then I planned to buy the ones I liked and erase the ones I don't. (Simplified: try-before-you-buy)

This defense is not valid because one had many avenues to hear music before purchasing like iTunes, radio, internet radio, Yahoo! Music and others as ways to legally try before buying. If this was going to be your defense, you will lose.

Second Defense: I am only downloading music that I already own.

This seems like a great defense, at first. You already own the music and the law allows you to create a backup copy. Ah, but here is where it goes south. Downloading music you already own is not considered fair use under the U.S. Copyright Law and your action is therefore copyright infringement. See UMG Recordings Inc. v. MP3.com, Inc., 92 F. Supp. 2d 349.

If you get caught you may end up paying a lot of money per song. In one of the cases a woman was asked to pay $22,500 for downloading 30 songs over a file sharing network.

On iTunes, it would cost less than $30 and with 14 days free trial with eMusic, you can keep the 25 free mp3s even if you decide to cancel. After the trial period the cost per song is only $.33.

Does it all sound logical? Would you pay a small fee for your music or enjoy downloading for free until you get caught and then pay a hefty price.

Decision is all yours. Start Free Music Downloads trial and keep 25 Mp3s just for trying.