Why You Should Not Download Music

Today, many people download music from the Internet to be used for personal or commercial purposes. Everyone does it because downloading is fast, free, and an easy way to build up a great collection. However, the act of downloading without permission from the author of the song is actually illegal, and offenders who are caught can be legally prosecuted or made to pay hefty fines. But why do people still download songs despite the warnings?

First, they do not know that the majority of music files available on the Internet are actually copyright protected. Recording and distribution companies are aware of this and are beginning to protect their copyrights with increasing vigour. Unless the site clearly states the music is not copyrighted, people are at risk of being traced every time they download a song.

Next, many people think they will not get caught, which is far from the truth. Music industries are now monitoring downloads from major file-sharing sites. They can trace IP addresses, and send warnings and notices to the offenders. Also, many people believe that they will not be held liable if they download from an establishment such as a company, Internet cafe, or university. What they do not know is that the copyright law applies to individual users (them), not their Internet service providers (the establishments).

Finally, they think that downloading freely does not hurt anybody. The truth is that since 1999, when file-sharing sites were introduced, the music industry has been hit hard. Online piracy financially ruined record companies, songwriters, and even the artists themselves. It also discouraged new and existing artists and songwriters to compose and release new songs, fearing that these songs will find their way to the Internet and be illegally copied.