Legality of WinMX
 

Running a program called WinMX which allows the sharing of MP3 tracks. I'm interested in the legality of this type of program. How does this differ from Napster?

Thanks

Mutt.

It doesn't. Still illegal.

DeepC

To be pedantic, the program itself isn't illegal - using it to share copyright material is.

Thank you gents, that was my understanding.

Mutt.

Evo is not being pedantic - it's an important clarification. I use various peer-to-peer programs to copy music files legally.

Legal because the artists concerned have consented to the material being shared on a not-for-profit basis.

Evo,

Short, to the point, and right on the money. Perfect description. :ok:

Take Care,

Richard

Stagger,
So where do u find out who has consented to sharing? or are these private artists you know personally.

There are many "trade friendly" musicians who permit non-commerical (not-for-profit) copying and trading of some of their material. Generally, it's recordings of their live shows that they allow to be traded - i.e. not their commerical releases.

For more information on what it means to be "trade friendly" see....
http://wiki.etree.org/index.php?page=TradeFriendly

Here's a list of some "trade friendly" bands...
http://wiki.etree.org/index.php?page=BandAbbreviations

And another (a lot of overlap though)...
http://bluegrassbox.com/notrade.php

These recordings come into existence because some bands allow taping at their live shows....
http://btat.wagnerone.com/