Ripping CDs and then giving them away?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by MechPoint, Oct 25, 2008.

  1. #1
    If you buy a CD from a store and then you rip off all the songs onto your computer, and then upload them and give them away for free WITHOUT charge, is that illegal? What trouble can you get in to?
     
    MechPoint, Oct 25, 2008 IP
  2. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #2
    Of course it is illegal. You can be fined, sued, and in extreme cases, infringement can be a criminal charge that results in jail time.
     
    mjewel, Oct 25, 2008 IP
  3. Nonny

    Nonny Notable Member

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    #3
    Nonny, Oct 25, 2008 IP
  4. eddy2099

    eddy2099 Peon

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    #4
    Yes, it is still infringement even if you do not do it for money. The penalty would be pretty much the same as if you do it for money. On each CD, read the fineprints and you will see what you can or cannot do.
     
    eddy2099, Oct 25, 2008 IP
  5. Wind Runner

    Wind Runner Banned

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    #5
    i think u can contact the copyright owner and get permission from him then publish. because some new singers like the popularity at begining and try to go to the people. if they like share, i dont think there will be a problem. but i dont think "Britny" will give you permission :D
     
    Wind Runner, Oct 25, 2008 IP
  6. Icheb

    Icheb Peon

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    #6
    Can I give the content away for free that you have created that has cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars and that you are selling for $x?

    WHY NOT? WHERE IS THE DIFFERENCE TO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?

    Get a brain. I hear it's awesome having one.
     
    Icheb, Oct 25, 2008 IP
  7. NotFound

    NotFound Peon

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    #7
    RIAA's gonna go after you :).
     
    NotFound, Oct 27, 2008 IP
  8. SoftCloud

    SoftCloud Well-Known Member

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    #8
    If you read the CD's sleeve you'll see that copying, distributing and editing the audio is prohibited. Expect a lawsuit. :)
     
    SoftCloud, Oct 28, 2008 IP
  9. dscurlock

    dscurlock Prominent Member

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    #9
    I suppose you could give it all out without giving your name, and not accept any credit...but I am sure you want to give away someone else's hard work so you can benefit from it in some fassion, either way is illegal, but whats the point unless you thought something was in it for you.
     
    dscurlock, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  10. ms2134

    ms2134 Well-Known Member

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    #10
    Whether you are giving them away, or selling them...

    It is still a breach of European and other copyright laws.

    I advise you not to do so,

    ~ Mike
     
    ms2134, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  11. AndrewMKP

    AndrewMKP Active Member

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    #11
    Yeah agreed, stay away from it or other advice is don't openly publicise illegal activity! :D
     
    AndrewMKP, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  12. ms2134

    ms2134 Well-Known Member

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    #12
    Agreed, It is never good to publicise this kind of things.

    I know someone who works with FACT, (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and they do crack down hard on these sort of things.

    ~ Mike
     
    ms2134, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  13. ksb2050

    ksb2050 Well-Known Member

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    #13
    That's EXTREMELY illegal!!! Your stealing copyrighted media, and than distributing said stolen media so people will not feel the need to buy the actual media. Are you begging for a lawsuit from the RIAA? Sorry Bro, that's a really BAD idea!!!
     
    ksb2050, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  14. Nigel Lew

    Nigel Lew Notable Member

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    #14
    I guess we should start shutting down libraries as well, while we are at it. You folks have a very limited assessment of this topic. (sheeple) Heck, Google has scanned or is scanning every book in flippin print they can get their hands on.

    And for what its worth, the RIAA engages in behavior that violates not only federal statutes, but common sense as well. They can quite frankly blow it out their ass. They get paid more crooked money than the industry allegedly looses. Those ass hats have sued ip addresses belonging to 80 old women who have never turned their computer on, to printers. They don't know shit. They are just well funded. The entire copyright argument, currently under wild debate, is funded by lobbyist and other special interest groups that operate out of completely outmoded business models and old money.

    This addresses the same sort of crap that went on when VHS tapes came out. The industry figured out how to adapt then, why can't they do it now. Technology rocks, quite trying to stifle it.

    That said, I would not rip an album and send it up to mininova.
    If you want to rip something and send it to a friend, etc. more power to you. I do it all the time.

    Please, don't get me started.
    http://www.torrentfreak.com is one of the better news outlets to read up on the matter on a global level.

    Here is a few real gems for thought.
    http://torrentfreak.com/uk-copyright-cops-target-kids-schools-community-centers-081015/
    http://torrentfreak.com/hollywood-enforcers-illegally-demand-money-from-kindergartens-081005/
    http://torrentfreak.com/riaas-week-of-hell-080927/


    So, if you, for whatever reason, don't like said source, you are welcome to go read it on Slashdot where there is a bit more vetting going on.
    Nigel
     
    Nigel Lew, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  15. 2-4-K

    2-4-K Peon

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    #15
    Its illegal only if you publicise / advertise and give it away.. however I believe it is a grey area if you rip the CD's and upload them for your own personal use.. ie: data - shifting.

    In Australia if you buy a CD you can data shift the songs onto your IPOD or PC to listen with another device, so uploading them to the web for your personal use would be ok.. if some people how ever found the links and downloaded them it could be tricky.. just say..

    These songs are mine, I own them and bought the CD's please do not steal them...

    but def dnot promote "hey get some free MP3's etc.
     
    2-4-K, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  16. ksb2050

    ksb2050 Well-Known Member

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    #16
    So do I, but that neither makes it LEGAL or RIGHT. Unfortunately you may not agree with it, but the Supreme Court does. Last time I checked the Supreme Court still had priorities, and the RIAA was still above the views of the singular fan. Please, don't mislead people. The question was "is it illegal" - the answer is a overwhelming YES.

    Depends, the RIAA tried to make that illegal too. But right now it is in the "grey area". However, like the original question asks, "giving them away for no charge" is illegal.
     
    ksb2050, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  17. Nigel Lew

    Nigel Lew Notable Member

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    #17
    "the answer is a overwhelming YES"

    No, it is not, only if you live in a vacuum. Not all of us live in the U.S. for starters. While accurate I do, said behavior violates zero laws in Sweden for instance. I am not trying to be difficult either. I am simply trying to create a bit of discourse.

    Sooner or later someone has to tell "the man" to get off my fuckin lawn.

    Nigel
     
    Nigel Lew, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  18. ksb2050

    ksb2050 Well-Known Member

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    #18
    I see your point, but in the current system it doesn't fly. Maybe someday it will. We are assuming he is a country with copyright laws of course. If this is the case than he needs to clarify this for us. Under the current assumptions it is illegal (in the present time). I don't want to be difficult either, but I really don't want this kid hit with a consequence because he got out of this thread the "go ahead" to do this. Besides you know, as well as I do, that even if he does do it, he'd have to make a big stink to merit the RIAA's full or even partial attention.
     
    ksb2050, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  19. Nigel Lew

    Nigel Lew Notable Member

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    #19
    I see your point as well my friend. POWER TO THE PENGUIN! Wait a sec, is that tux? free open source Linux goodness icon?

    I follow your post sir, I, if anything, feel like I hijacked his thread. I am no martyr but I am all about starting shit when it comes to this debate :)

    thanks for the banter, I got real tired of hearing "dude my site disappeared from Google today"

    Nigel

    anyone else? lol.....
     
    Nigel Lew, Oct 31, 2008 IP
  20. Dave Zan

    Dave Zan Well-Known Member

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    #20
    Let's put it this way.

    The answer to the OP's question is really "it depends". It depends on various
    of things like the OP's jurisdiction, any applicable law there, etc.

    OTOH, I'm not sure the original source of that CD would appreciate someone
    doing that sort of thing. Would you?
     
    Dave Zan, Nov 1, 2008 IP