Where best to download *legal* MP3's

[gidon]

I'm not really up on this since I generally listen to tunes I've extracted from my own CD's - but my nephew's asked me for some suggestions.

Guess he wants the cheapest possible and with a good choice. He lives out in Switzerland - I'm not sure that's a factor or not for licensing?

Any ideas?

Cheers

Gidon

 

[ikd]

Is he using an Ipod or another make of MP3 player.

 

[gidon]

Think it's an Ipod.
The Gadget show had a useful summary a while back but can't remember which one they recommended.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[superunknown]

Try the band, record label and online music magazine web sites, they often have free songs for download.

I have found whole album back catalogues on some of the bands I like websites for download. Very nice of them, mailny older stuff and Very legal

 

[ikd]

If its an Ipod, use itunes and the online music store. Current albums are about £7.90, older ones for less. Individual tracks are 99p each.

I'm not sure where you can get freebees thou :?

 

[Philly]

Gidon
Try putting this in Google- "free legal mp3"
Should fill your hard drive up :wink:
Philly

 

[Anonymous]

If its an Ipod, use itunes and the online music store. Current albums are about £7.90, older ones for less. Individual tracks are 99p each.

I'm not sure where you can get freebees thou :?

Ian, I think you mistake USA and English prices - I think 99cents for a track in USA

Individual tracks in England are 79p and albums £7.99 for the ones I've purchased. Great way to buy music

 

[ikd]

If its an Ipod, use itunes and the online music store. Current albums are about £7.90, older ones for less. Individual tracks are 99p each.

I'm not sure where you can get freebees thou :?

Ian, I think you mistake USA and English prices - I think 99cents for a track in USA

Individual tracks in England are 79p and albums £7.99 for the ones I've purchased. Great way to buy music

You right it is 79p per track. I knew I had seen 99 something somewhere The only thing with buying from itunes is the bit rate is 128Mbs which is great if you want to save space but the quality is a little lacking 192 or above sounds great.

 

[srs]

Have a look at http://www.allofmp3.com/ it is a "legal" music download site due to the strange copywrite law of Russia where it is based, I have downloaded from there with no problems and it is a lot cheaper than other sites (about $1 -$2 an album)

Simon

 

[gidon]

Thanks everyone. I also found a decent comparison site:
http://www.downloadjudge.com/musicdownload.html
www.allofmp3.com does look interesting - read some information on its legality - although the bit about "depends on the law in your country" would perhaps concern me ...
Woolworths is pretty cheap - 59p a track - WMA format. Personally I think this download business is ok for the occasional track you may want - but I personally couldn't be bothered with all the restrictions they place on the use of the file. Surely better off buying the CD and converting to MP3 - you can do what you want then ...
Still I'll pass the recommendations on.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[gidon]

Sorry - was just looking into allofmp3 some more. It's certainly appears legal in Russia so you're effectively buying music legally in Russia and importing it to the uk? Where are the lawers?
At least you're getting mp3 files that you can do what you like with.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Gill]

Hi Gidon

I suggest you ask John Hillier at the Internet Enforcement Group ([email protected]). Much will depend on allofmp3.com's relationship with the music industry and how royalties are collected. No doubt IEG will be able to advise you about this.

Although allofmp3.com may be a legitimate business, there are many Russian websites that are mere fronts for money launderers. The fact that the site has a legal disclaimer is disquieting for a company that has a proper royalty arrangement. It's one thing to be operating legally under Russian law (as the site purports to be doing) and another to be operating within international law (confirmation of which is conspicuously absent from its legal statement).

Not my area of law, I'm afraid, but I hope this helps nevertheless.

Gill

 

[gidon]

Thanks Gill - there's a lot of info on the web on them - I don't think it's clear cut. Royalties are paid to the bands but not necessarily to all relevant parties.
I've advised my nephew to use itunes and I'll stick with ripping my own CD's ...
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Majorlarf]

I have downloaded from there with no problems and it is a lot cheaper than other sites (about $1 -$2 an album)

Simon

How much is that in english money?

 

[ratkinsonuk]

Been trying the site for the last week or so, and it seems really good, although I'm a bit dubious about how legal it all is.

My take on it is, if record companies were to offer a similar deal, say 20p a track, then I'd be very happy to download from them. OK, I know this is a repeat of the same old arguement, but it's still very true.

I'd also like to know, does anyone know of a similar site that offers movie downloads? I've been Googling, but all the sites I've found seem to be peer-to-peer software, rather than proper download.

Rob.

 

[gidon]

Rob
Try (from the link above):
http://www.downloadjudge.com/videodownload.html
Cheers
Gidon

 

[ratkinsonuk]

Thanks Gidon.

I tried all the links, but the services were either music videos, really old stuff (1910) or B'Movies.

Looks like there's still no legal way to download movies in the UK, although I've heard Google are looking at offering a service.

Rob.

 

[Alf]

My cup runeth over! Thanks, Gidon; I now get to wallow in a Cary Grant film I never thought I'd see. Huzzah! The Bugs Bunny's are good too... :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[gidon]

Sorry Rob - you'll have to convert them from DVD to a portable format for the time being.
Alf - glad to be of service - will have to check out those links myself .
Cheers
Gidon

 

[ratkinsonuk]

As usual, I was trying to save some cash, by not having to fork out £17 for 2 'bonus' DVD's that I will never look at.

Would be happy to download the box-standard film - no extras, subtitles or even chapters for £4 or £5 quid!

One day the film and music industries might realise the money they're either throwing away or being ripped off by.

Rob.