Cheap album downloads?

[Aloos]

Hi ppl

Is the following site legal in the UK?

http://www.allofmp3.com/

coz if it is, then its really really cheap!

[autopilot]

I dont think talk of that site is liked around here. Hexus do have to protect themselves. This thread will probably get removed, although there has been a great deal of coverage in the printed magazines over the last few months so i am not sure how at risk Hexus really are. Everyman and his dog seems to know about it these days. I have heard people in the pub who are not really PC buff's talking about it.

Truth is, it's in a big grey area. They have survived that last few attempts by the RIAA and FBI to close them down and seem 'technically' legal in Rusia. The jury is still out on if its legal to use in the UK or not - impartial legal experts say "uuum-maybe-yes-ish-i guess-but it not good-i think". Record companies say a big fat "NO!" If say it was 100% legal in Rusia, why can't we legally 'import' from them? There are good arguements for both sides really, but the law is a bit fuzzy.

Most likely thing, or so i have read, is that the record industry will probably have to resort to forcing ISP's to block access to thier site. But thats a whole new can of worms.

But the real question is this - is it 'ethical' to use it when so little, if zero, money ever gets to the actual bands?

I hold my hands up high and yes i have used it in the past. Their service and business model is a shining example to the likes of Apple and Sony, who could learn a lot from these guys. But i dont think it's right to use it and i have since stopped. It's not fair to the smaller bands/labels if they are not seeing thier fair share.

More info here - http://www.museekster.com/allofmp3faq.htm

[Aloos]

thanks for the info

[directhex]

allofmp3 are legal in russia, because russian piracy laws apply only to physical goods, not warez. ROMS (as frequently mentionned in the article) don't pay anyone for modern western music - they only cover opera, stage shows, things like that.

in general terms, allofmp3 are "legal" - but the musician doesn't get a penny, same as if you'd used warez.

[Zak33]

Originally Posted by directhex

- but the musician doesn't get a penny, same as if you'd used warez.

beautiful statement. Its just not ethical.

[directhex]

it's not like the musician gets *much* from cd sales or online sales, but it's >0

[5lab]

to be qfh, if you want to support a band you like, download their albums illegally, find their address, and send them a fiver, thus bypassing the whole corporate ladder that adds so much to the cost in the first place.

[Nick]

Amen to that, brother.

And you can find my latest album at www.man-banging-a-dustbin-lid-and-whistling.com

Address to send the fivers to supplied on request.

[DavidM]

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