Source?

(I do not have to show a source to support its legality because going to allofmp3 is legal unless a statute is written which specifically makes it illegal)

I've seen this used as a justification for the "importation" of songs bought on allofmp3.com

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...ightedArticles

Whether importing songs bought from allofmp3.com into the USA is legal may be topic of debate, but there's absolutely no doubt at all that visiting their site is 100% legal.

edited: i misread an above post. my bad.

Stealing from rich people is just as illegal as stealing from poor people.

still no sources cited for the claim that using allofmp3.com is "illegal".

How about http://www.out-law.com/page-6956 ?

Or, why not call Sony and ask them if they approve of the site as a legal distribution channel? Make sure to tell them how many songs you've downloaded. Nothing to worry about if it is legal, I'm sure they appreciate the business.

Here's a statement from the head of the US Copyright Office.

That's a strange attitude to take. It's OK to steal from the record companies because they're rich? Microsoft is rich too - do you think it's OK to steal their software?

Thank you both for providing links.

FWIW, the attraction to allofmp3.com is not just due to the pricing (though pricing is a major component). Record companies have become extremely spoiled by living in an environment where they have complete control of the content and distribution of media. Want to make an mp3 of that cd you just legally bought? Sony will try to put F*CKING SPYWARE on your computer in the process. Allofmp3 gives a wide variety of choice to the consumer for which format and compression (or lossless) to use for the files.

The promise of online delivery of ANY content is in driving down media and distribution costs. No need for expensive shipping of expensive jewell cases. We just want the raw content. Instead of competing to offer consumers the best content for the cost, recording companies have attempted to pocket all of the additional savings from decreased distribution costs. Thank GOD Apple balked when the record companies tried to push through a major i-Tunes cost increase!

actually, if memory serves, Sony got taken to court for that and the software got dropped.

EMI just announced that they have stopped adding copy protection software to ALL of their releases as it cost more to keep up with those who broke the code than it was saving them any money. EMI was the last of the big majors to drop the copyprotection. Your statement is somewhat late 2005 to early 2006. Not keeping up?

Correct!

Incorrect. Not everybody wants just the raw content. Just as the blanket statement used to be "nobody wants vinyl now that we have CDs". Vinyl sales are increasing again.
That means that there are 10% of you out there who don't give a toss about the packaging. However, I do know some people will buy from iTunes when they are traveling and then again from the record store when they get home so the CD enters the collection.

To me a large CD collection is just as good a status symbol as a BMW or Audi or Lexus. I wish I had the collection and the car ;-)


They might have balked about that but they are not helping when it comes to distributing funds to artists. Composers and artists are not getting more money in their pockets. 25% seem to be what they get. Guess where the rest of it goes. The record company is STILL dishing out what they think the band is worth - if that.

None of this is justification for criminal activity. If you don't like the distribution model, tough cookies -- no one has a "right" to recorded music, except under the terms spelled out by the owner.

I will vote for any candidate who advocates prison time for the copyright thief!

OK. I hope we've all had a night to "cool down". This thread has a feeling of deja vu around it, I'm pretty sure we had exactly the same discussion with the same people last year :)

Let's tone town the politicial debate.

Thanks! :)

politics aside... anyone been able to load their account w/ allofmp3 from the US. now that the cc companies are stopped, what's the easiest way to load $$ into your account? please spare me the legal vs illegal debate. thanks

I could be wrong, but I think you can re-up your account by going through a phone card (you purchase a phone card with your CC; the phone card company moves money into your allofmp3 account).