How do I know whether MP3 files available over the Internet are legal or illegal copies?
If you locate MP3 versions of major hit recordings, or recordings from well-known artists available for free via web sites that are not operated by that artist or the artist’s record label, then, more likely than not, such recordings are illegal copies. Although a few sites, such as mp3.com, goodnoise.com and others, occasionally offer free downloads of recordings from well-known artists, the overwhelming majority of authorized MP3s currently are ones featuring unsigned and lesser-known artists. If you have doubts about the legality of particular recordings you encounter, you should contact the Recording Industry Association of America. Information can be obtained at www.riaa.com.
