allofmp3 music store...?

rtliner · Post by **rtliner** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:22 pm

What do people think of borrowing CDs from the public library and ripping them for personal use?

Just curious - is this also considered "stealing"? I've seen people doing that since 1968 with albums and tape decks/cassettes.

rt

julzcompufreek · Post by **julzcompufreek** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:06 pm

Well you do not own the cd, so it is basically strealing.

Post by **Lowlander** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:45 am

It depends on your countries laws, but in most countries this would be illegal as you are only allowed to rip a CD to create a backup copy. A backup is only legal if you actually own the original.
I'm pretty sure that even if you buy a CD, rip it, and at a later date sell it, that keeping the ripped copy is illegal. Especially if the RIAA gets a say.

rtliner · Post by **rtliner** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:21 pm

It depends on your countries laws, but in most countries this would be illegal as you are only allowed to rip a CD to create a backup copy. A backup is only legal if you actually own the original.
I'm pretty sure that even if you buy a CD, rip it, and at a later date sell it, that keeping the ripped copy is illegal. Especially if the RIAA gets a say.

Well you do not own the cd, so it is basically stealing.

uh oh

rt

Post by **Lowlander** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:56 pm

btw. The british rights organization (BPI?) has just been given the green light to sue allofmp3. Of course the questions remains what the consequences are if the BPI wins as allofmp3 is located in Russia.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:57 pm

Lowlander wrote:It depends on your countries laws, but in most countries this would be illegal as you are only allowed to rip a CD to create a backup copy. A backup is only legal if you actually own the original.
I'm pretty sure that even if you buy a CD, rip it, and at a later date sell it, that keeping the ripped copy is illegal. Especially if the RIAA gets a say.

A couple more points on this. Copyright laws in most countries let you make only ONE copy. Even people who try to follow the law will have a copy of the CD on the computer, a second copy on an MP3 player and possibly a backup of the computer's HD. Virtually everyone is in violation of copyright.

. Another point is that the copy must be taken from an original in the person's possession. Some people use AllofMP3.com to get digital copies of LPs (vinyl) they own, thinking this is valid but very likely they're breaking copyright - they would need to make the copy from the LP.

Technology has moved much faster than laws, leaving a mess and much confusion. Everyone has an opinion, with no clear indication as to what is permissible for their country.

fuchiablu · Post by **fuchiablu** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:35 am

Hi, I'm new to the site here. I've been reading this thread and I'm appalled. If you pay for music from allofmp3, how is that piracy? The only differences I see between that site and something like ITunes is the price and the fact it's a different country. Since when is it illegal to buy things from overseas?

I've bought stuff from the UK before (like novelty items, Ebay stuff) with no problem. Why would music be any different? Since there's so much controversy over this site, I'll be sure to stop recommending it to friends but I've never heard of any problems with it before. Guess I'm out of the loop.

My other comment was, has anyone noticed when you're trying to convert a WMA file to an MP3 when you look at the Properties (using Windows 2000 or higher) that the type of file is 'Media Monkey'? Is there any way to be sure that it's converted properly to an MP3? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Post by **Peke** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 2:51 pm

fuchiablu wrote:My other comment was, has anyone noticed when you're trying to convert a WMA file to an MP3 when you look at the Properties (using Windows 2000 or higher) that the type of file is 'Media Monkey'? Is there any way to be sure that it's converted properly to an MP3? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

That is the one thing I do not like about Win2000+ No Pure Extension in view just name of app that handles it. Its not just MM. BTW In MM track View you have TYPE column to be sure of file Type.

Nebbin · Post by **Nebbin** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:18 am

fuchiablu wrote:If you pay for music from allofmp3, how is that piracy? The only differences I see between that site and something like ITunes is the price and the fact it's a different country. Since when is it illegal to buy things from overseas?

Yeah, this is a common misconception. Unfortunately the law isn't as simplistic as many hope. The situation is complicated by the different copyright laws in varying countries (there's no "one" internationally accepted copyright code). This is why you have to be careful - just because someone offers to sell you something, does not automatically make it a legal transaction. They may not have the rights to sell you the goods in question.

The problem with Allofmp3 is that they are using a perfectly legal loophole in Russian copyright law ("broadcasting" over the 'net). It could be viewed as a simple case of the law not keeping track with technology. Russia is currently being pressured by the international community (aka USA) to change the laws. In the end it may or may not be legal at the moment, but it's certainly not very ethical (from our "outside of Russia" viewpoint) to purchase from them.

Subsequently very little (if any) money (royalties) go to the Artist, and certainly none go to the Label.

At least that's my understanding of the situation.

vphreeze · Post by **vphreeze** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 3:58 am

well, i have been using allofmp3 as my music download service of choice for like a year and a half with no problems. i have spent well over $200 and purchased music as recently as 2 days ago. my particular method of money transfer has been to use my PayPal account to purchase XROST Prepaid iCards, usually in $20 increments, since i didnt want to give some Russian company direct access to my credit cards.

you can download music directly from the site via your "basket", or just download their software and it can run in the system tray. the nice thing about the software is that i can purchase music through it, or when i am out and about i can just log in to the site, make some selections, and when i get home its already downloaded to a pre-specified folder (which you could have MediaMonkey monitor). i have purchased songs anywhere from 1 at a time to over 100 at a time and i dont think i have ever got a bad track. i also specify that i want 160cbr, so it nice not having to convert them later.

anyway, i know i have probably gone on to the point of sounding like i work for them, but i assure you i don't. i just wanted to describe my experiences in detail so that you guys would be clearer about whether or not you want to take a chance on the site.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 4:08 am

vphreeze wrote:well, i have been using allofmp3 as my music download service of choice for like a year and a half with no problems.

I guess as Nebbin alluded above, it is not so much the technical aspects of acquiring music as it is the legality of doing so.

After much searching, I haven't found any definitive opinion on this. With much baggage, it boils down to a Clint Eastwood quote. "Do I feel lucky?"

If the RIAA were to visit, most likely any digital music that is present in a household would violate some sort of 'rule''.

Specifically to this thread, allofmp3.com is a 'feel good' service. It doesn't meet the copy right laws of North America, but the users 'feel good' because they're paying for something so it must be OK, right??? (Check the law for your self!!).

Kupo03 · Post by **Kupo03** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:57 am

but the users 'feel good' because they're paying for something so it must be OK, right??? (Check the law for your self!!).

Not for me. I use it because it offers a large selection of music at great quality.

vphreeze · Post by **vphreeze** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:31 pm

Kupo03 wrote:
but the users 'feel good' because they're paying for something so it must be OK, right??? (Check the law for your self!!).
Not for me. I use it because it offers a large selection of music at great quality.

i agree. also, i am very anal about my music being organzed and uniform, and the format and bitrate are a part of that too. allofmp3 simply lets me download the music the way i want it.

once again, i wasnt try to argue legality or ethics, i was merely giving a personal account of "actual usage" of the service. the rest is up to you to decide for yourself.

Nebbin · Post by **Nebbin** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:29 am

Ignoring any legal issues for the moment (my ethical views were described earlier), I have to acknowledge that the technical model of Allofmp3 (allTunes) seems very sound - to the point that I hope iTunes and other online distribution stores adopt many of its elements.

The ability to choose a variety of file qualities & formats is outstanding ... but iTunes and company are hampered by the innability to incorporate DRM into them all - a requirement imposed by the music labels before they'll allow their music for online release. This is where allTunes is mostly unencumbered, as it doesn't care about what the labels require, and thus no deals need be made... but simply rips music from the released CDs.

The option to preview the ENTIRE song is a godsend, and regardless of where I end up purchasing my music, I'll always turn to allTunes to preview albums beforehand. (I don't mind the lower quality preview if it means I can hear more than 30secs.) I find there are few things more frustrating than previewing a dance remix that doesn't make it past the "intro".

From reports of friends and other users, it also seems Allofmp3's support team are very helpful and reasonably quick to respond... especially if you find any problems with bad tracks etc. This was not something I was expecting (for all intents and purposes) of a budget retailer.

My personal favourite though, is the lack of DRM in tracks, allowing purchased music to be played back via any software of the user's choosing, unlimited portability, no backup problems, and no finding oneself beholden to a distributor for all time.

Although I think the price that tracks are offered by allTunes is far too cheap for the "real world" (ie. to allow fair royalty payments), I'm not a fan of the iTunes pricing system either... where a "CD Single" on iTunes can often cost more than purchasing the CD single disc in local stores. (This assumes you want all tracks / remixes and not simply the title track radio edit.) I know a lot of the music labels are lobbying for a multi-tiered pricing system, but without seeing their proposal I'm dubious about its merit.

In all fairness, iTunes and others have some features missing from allTunes... such as hi-res album art, and decent (or even minimally workable) descriptions & tags for classical works.

I have little doubt that eventually Allofmp3 / allTunes will be forced to alter its behaviour. The political pressure is increasing to mount, and the RIAA certainly won't stop looking for ways to shut it down.

Rupert · Post by **Rupert** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 2:49 pm

One point people seems to forget, is just because it is cheap does not mean you make less money.
I tried Alltunes, and reading this thread has been educational.

Question. How can it have run since some time in 2002, and it stil be definatively illegal?
The Russians presumably think it is not. It might be illegal in the UK to a finer point, however the green light has been given to users to not to worry, and hell, life moves on, artists have been making massive money for years. (Is it justified for their skill? Sometimes perhaps, but a thought to ponder I think.)
There is a lady in the US who posts all her songs on the internet for free, and then says:
"come to my concerts, you will love it" !!!!!
Fantastic, way to go!

Just because it was a way of making mega bucks for years, dos not mean the market has to last forever. Move on.
People have made millions out of selling gambling online... a chunk of that is gone now (OK slightly different I know).
The people I know who have a problem with this idea thast I have met, are the artists who dream of making it big... I cannot fault the dream, we all like to have one

Just IMHO.

On a technical issue, having got various people fuming no doubt , every download I get from allofmp3 shows the tags are not synchronized. Anyone any idea why please?

allofmp3 music store...?

Confusion over allofmp3 store/converting files

Re: Confusion over allofmp3 store/converting files