Downloading music is theft, right???

[Kyle49]

Therefore, is that something that can get you DQ'd? I was just wondering since my generation is the Napster generation. Everyone knows downloading music is illegal, but do police departments make an issue of it in their hiring process? I would think it would be difficult to do so since it could potentially eliminate so many people. I was in college when Napster first came into existence and just like most other kids my age, I went to town on it. These days if I want a song I fork over the money on Itunes, but I was just curious as to how police departments view this issue since downloading without purchasing is still such a big part of our society

[P01IC3M4N]

no. allowing others to upload is illegal.

[P01IC3M4N]

that didn't sound right. making software available for others to download from you is what is illegal. the record companies search for songs then download them. once they get the complete song, they trace the IP on the header file. once they get that, they subpeona the ISP and get your account info. the person on the account is sued for copyright violation.

[Deputy757]

that didn't sound right. making software available for others to download from you is what is illegal.

Someone should tell that to this girls father. Though I will say that there was no criminal charges mentioned, they hammered them pretty good on the civil aspect.
Downloading

[samseed101]

Someone should tell that to this girls father. Though I will say that there was no criminal charges mentioned, they hammered them pretty good on the civil aspect.
Downloading

Here's the problem with that law suit. It seems that the daughter downloaded 400+ songs. Everyone automatically assumes that downloading is illegal. But they often leave out a key part.

Let's say that I downloaded 100 songs this week. The RIAA traces my IP and sends me one of these letters saying that I am getting sued for downloading music. But if I actually own the CD's / Records / Tapes of the song that I am downloading, then I am not in violation. If I go online and happen to download a copy of "Aerosmith Big Ones" I did not steal anything because I actually own that CD (which kicks arse by the way). That's a huge burden of proof on their shoulders in a criminal case. Even a civil suit will need proponderance of the evidence. True, it is a much lesser burden, but I imagine it must be hard for them to prove that I don't own a CD.

But then again, if someone is downloading hundreds of songs, chances are they don't legally own the original copies. Perhaps that is why they don't target the smaller ones as much.

**shrug** I dunno... maybe I just need to get to bed. Worked all night then had "Dealing with the Meatally Ill" training immediately after. My brain is fried.