| The proliferation of P2P file sharing networks on the | | | | Although you own the music you download, their |
| Internet makes it very tempting and easy for someone | | | | selection of the major recording labels and music |
| to get themselves into a lot of trouble with the | | | | artists is very limited. |
| Recording Industry Association of America. The | | | | The Top Solution |
| increasing sophistication of technology has made it | | | | A more economical solution for acquiring unlimited iPod |
| much easier for the RIAA to track who is illegally | | | | music downloads of the major recording labels without |
| making songs available for download and the people | | | | the hassle of per download fees, is to sign up for a |
| who are downloading them. | | | | membership with one of the numerous iPod music |
| Very recently a student of Utah State University was | | | | download services. These services typically advertise |
| sued by the RIAA for doing just that. The RIAA is | | | | free music downloads and for all intents and purposes |
| negotiating a settlement of about $3,000 dollars. In | | | | that's true in most cases. |
| another case a 12 year old child was prosecuted for | | | | Because, for the most part, they offer a lifetime |
| file sharing and the case was settled for $2,000. I'll | | | | membership for around $35 to $45 dollars. This one |
| outline a solution for acquiring legal free music | | | | time fee includes unlimited downloads of iPod tunes |
| downloads for iPods below which will keep you in | | | | and the fee is basically to offset administration costs, |
| good graces with the RIAA. | | | | customer service and to keep their server computers |
| There are a number of Internet sites that offer free | | | | online. |
| music that's legal to download to your iPod. Accessing | | | | The iPod music download sites typically offer more |
| these services will prevent law suits against you for | | | | than just music downloads. Your membership generally |
| illegally acquiring downloads from P2P file sharing | | | | includes access to music videos, TV shows, movies, |
| networks. Additionally, a number of the file sharing | | | | iPod games and cheats, conversion software and |
| networks will bombard you with popup ads and the | | | | other related software. Some require you to download |
| files can include a number of viruses and trojans. | | | | free software you would use to access the music, |
| The Dilemma | | | | movies and other downloads. And some offer a rich |
| A number of sites like Yahoo Music and iTunes offer | | | | assortment of incentive software like DVD burners |
| music downloads at a per download fee of 99 cents. | | | | and the Google free software package. |
| These sites are certainly legal and will keep you out of | | | | In Summary |
| trouble with the RIAA. The only drawback about these | | | | The very nominal one time fee required for a lifetime |
| sites is the songs are coded with DRM and will no | | | | membership is really a no brainer compared to the |
| longer play on your computer if you discontinue your | | | | major sites charging you about a dollar per download. |
| membership with them. The aforementioned sites are | | | | Because, the cost of 35 songs with one of them, |
| two of the top music download sites available with | | | | would pay for a lifetime membership, with unlimited |
| iTunes being number one. | | | | iPod downloads of not only music but all the |
| Another site that's ranked second only to iTunes is | | | | aforementioned files. The download speeds are very |
| eMusic. Their advantage is all their songs are DRM | | | | good, there's no DRM hassle and your tunes continue |
| free, in MP3 format and will play on any platform. They | | | | to play on your computer even if you discontinue your |
| offer a monthly subscription which allows a limited | | | | membership. Best of all, you won't get into trouble with |
| number of downloads. But the drawback is they | | | | the RIAA. |
| specialize in independent or "indie" music artists. | | | | |