Legal To Download MP3 – Listening to music in MP3 format is fun. You can transfer the music to your devices, such as smartphones and laptops. The common question is about the legality to download MP3 music online. Check the brief information below to know more about a legal MP3 music download.
It is Legal to Download MP3 Music Online for Free?
There is so much MP3 music available online. Some people are downloading it and listening to their devices. So, it is legal to download MP3 music online?
There are two different types of download statuses, copyright and free to download. Music with a copyright means that it has an owner. The owners have strict ownership. For example, you are allowed to download and use the music whether for personal usage or commercially with a specific agreement with the owner.
In case you are using the music without permission from the owner it is an illegal download. Free download music status without copyright is free to use. It means that you can download and use the music personally and commercially. It is legal.
The Way to Check whether the Music is Legal to Download or Not
So, how to check whether the music you are about to use is legal to download and use or not? The first thing you can do is visit the music providers. Then, find the information about the music you want to download on it.
The music providers give complete detail about the music, whether it is copyrighted or free to use. If it is copyrighted music, you need to check the requirements to download and use it.
The second trick is downloading the music and uploading content that contains the music to a specific platform, such as YouTube. YouTube has a system that detects whether the uploaded content is non-copyright or not. If it is not YouTube warns you of the illegal parts, including copyrighted music.
Is It Okay to Download Licensed MP3 Music for Personal Use?
What about if you want to download licensed MP3 music and listen to it personally? Is it okay? When you learn about legality, you are still using an illegal product even if it is only for personal use. The best way you can do is to look for the copyright holder.
Ask their permission if you want to download and use the music for personal use only. Wait for their response. If it is okay, download the MP3 music and use it according to the agreement. If it is not, check the requirements you have to fill in to download the music.
Complete all the requirements and download the music if it is necessary. If it is not, it is better to find another music in the free-copyright and free-to-use category.
The Risks of Downloading Copyright MP3 Music and Use It without Asking Permission from the Owner
Downloading and using copyrighted MP3 music without asking permission is considered a crime! The risk is even bigger if using it for commercial purposes. It means you make money from downloaded music.
So, what are the risks if you still download and use copyrighted MP3 music without confirming the license holder? First, you are about to face a civil lawsuit. You should pay thousands of dollars if proven guilty of using the music for making money.
Second, you will also get a felony record. Third, you also have to jail for up to 5 years and pay fines up to $250.000. What a serious risk, right? Because of that, ensure that you download MP3 music legally whether download free to use or pay for the license.
The Places to Download MP3 Music Legally
So, it doesn’t mean that you can’t download and use MP3 music at all. You can still download and use your favorite MP3 music personally or commercially legally.
The most important thing you should consider is downloading it in the right places. Here, we have a list of the sites you can visit that offer a free-of-charge and legal MP3 music download.
Recommended Sites for Indie Music Lovers
Indie music lovers can visit specific sites, such as ReverbNation or NoiseTrade. These two sites are designed for indie artists to promote their music. The best part is that the members of these websites are allowed to download their favorite music for free. You only need to submit your email or mailing address before downloading the music.
Recommended Sites for Those Who Need a Variety of Content
Say you need more than MP3 music. If so, the Internet Archive is the answer. This website provides its users with a variety of content, including MP3 music, newscasts, radio shows, and audiobooks. The music is also from various genres. Indeed, users can download the selected MP3 music for non-commercial usage. Check also Tubidy if you want convert music video to MP3 music.
Fanbase Websites
In the internet era, singers or artists can share their products online through a website. They even encourage their fans to listen to or even download their music for free. For example, U2 launched a song entitled Innocence.
Interestingly, they shared this song for free. As a result, most iPhone users had this music. It is the same case with Radiohead. This band also released a song entitled In Rainbow. Unlike U2, Radiohead allowed their fans to pay for the song as they wish.
Conclusion
According to the explanation above, you should learn more about the legality of downloading MP3 music online. Only because you can download the music doesn’t mean it is legal to use it personally or even commercially.
You have to ensure that the music status is free to download and non-copyright. In case you are about to use copyrighted music, ensure that the copyright holder permits you. Find a way to contact the owner of the music and ask about the requirements to use their music.
Accomplish all the requirements if you can do it. If it is not, find other places that offer a legal MP3 music download that is safe to use. Learning about legality before downloading or using MP3 music is so crucial, especially if you want to use it for commercial purposes. Otherwise, you will face court because the owner of the music prosecutes your illegal action.