This is 100% completely false. There's nothing wrong with HAVING mp3s, but if you distribute copyrighted material in mp3 format (or any format for that matter) than that's what makes it a "crime".

Plus, do a search of of your computer. Chances are there are mp3s on your computer that are used as part of a programs. Let's see, Roxio Ez CD creator and Microsoft Plus Edition Labyrinth were two programs in my program files that came up with mp3s.

What if I recorded myself singing a song and saved it as an mp3. Also not illegal.

This is not true because the format itself is not illegal.

Ashley

i call BS!

I agree with everyone who says this is false.

First, as it was said, the file format is not illegal, and there are MANY reasons to have legal MP3s, working with certain programs, games, making your own, etc.

The RIAA tried to legally get permission to search people's computers, and they were denied that. They also tried to get permission to actually damage computers, that was also denied.

Sony themselves are not searching for music, it's the RIAA.

The simple fact that there is someone (RIAA) searching for music, and the many fears right now, means that someone spreading a rumor like this will easily get people who don't know a lot about this subject that I have been following since the first MP3 player ever made was released, a device I still own one of.

There is no way for someone to search your computer without actually hacking into it. There's no way to just go to a computer on the Internet and says "Is there any files of type *.mp3 on that hard drive"? You have to break into the computer and run the search yourself. Not something easy, OR LEGAL, to do.

So the bottom line, and take this from a girl who is an IT professional~ There is nothing to worry about by simply going onto the Internet with MP3 files on your hard drive. Run a file sharing program that doesn't protect you enough (Kazaa Lite++ for instance helps, Peer Guardian helps, a regular firewall always helps) and then you can get caught.

But don't worry about simply being on the internet with MP3 files on your hard drive. It's not gonna get you in trouble, and it's little more then someone trying to strike fear into people who have yet to learn everything that there is to know about the subject, and I will be very happy to help you learn. :)

I dont think its sony, I dont know really who it is. All I know is that some major american labels have been sueing people thousands of dollars for having mp3's on their pc

Not for having mp3s on their computer, but for trading copyrighted music on p2p networks.

Ashley

And it's not the record labels, it's the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of Artists) that are suing for trading copyrighted material over P2P networks.

Phew! I was getting very worried for a sec. So should we just unshare our files and then we'd be safe?:confused

There isn't anything to get concerned about, ~Ayanami~ , as long as you watch what you share if you use p2p programs like Kazaa. If you don't use any p2p programs, then you have nothing to worry about.

Until you show a source I don't believe it.

:laugh grant, i dont think anybody believes it

I don't believe it either - they can't get you for downloading an mp3 or two, but they can get you for sharing it, and since I don't do that, I'm not worried about it. Most of what I have is JPop mp3s, and the last English song I downloaded was a legal, paid-for download for charity.

im not too worried cuz i have mainly ayu wma's. and i dont think that they are looking for foreign music either.

yea.. RIAA should be burning in hell:cool *wooo, look at them burn*:thumbsup awhile ago, there was many news about RIAA sueing ppl etc... especially on CNN's website.. but now, i dun see it AS much... funny.. dunno wat happen to them.. probably got sick from sueing peeps:evillaugh

It's still going on:

"RIAA files 80 new file-swapping suits," http://news.com.com/2100-1027-5099738.html

Someone from my school ended up on the list this time around...