Do those who download music illegally have to worry?

Increasingly the answer is YES!

Consider this...

Most of us would never even consider stealing something; perhaps a picture, money or a piece of clothing from a friend’s house. Our sense of right and wrong keeps most of us from doing something so selfish and antisocial. Yet when it comes to stealing digital recordings of copyrighted music, people somehow seem to think the same rules don’t apply—even though criminal penalties can be as high as five years in prison or $250,000 in fines.

Contrary to some popular opinion, illegally downloading or copying copyrighted music is the same as stealing; there is no difference.

Music piracy doesn’t just affect the music industry, it affects you as well. When you use software that facilitates illegal downloads you open your computer to unwanted pornography, security breaches, and viruses. Illegal downloading and file-sharing is also subject to federal prosecution.

Here are a few facts:

• The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) can sue for as much as $150,000
per song or track that is illegally downloaded.

• Almost 2000 individuals have been sued by the RIAA for illegally downloading as of March, 2004.

• More than 400 individuals have settled, paying fines averaging $3000.

• The Department of Justice recently announced the creation of the Intellectual Property Task Force, which examines all aspects of how the DOJ handles intellectual property issues.

Is downloading and uploading music really stealing?

If it’s done without the permission of the copyright holder, it’s legally no different than walking into a music store, stuffing a CD into your pocket, and walking out without paying for it.

A completely new solution:

Buying music socially in the places you most enjoy hanging out through the IF Music Kiosk will it will help keep your iPod, MP3 player, personal pc or laptop safe from viruses, while allowing you to make impulse purchases when you are with friends or during while relaxing, shopping or just waiting around .

At the same time the music industry and law enforcement can relax in the knowledge that all purchases are 100% legal and worry free.

Increasingly illegal music downloads are being monitored. Those who think they won’t get caught have only to look at cases involving hundreds of thousands of dollars simply stealing a
few of dollars of music. As one example of a recent case:

NEW YORK: A federal jury in Boston on Friday ordered a graduate student to pay $22,500 per song to four record labels, who sued him for illegally downloading and sharing music.

Joel Tenenbaum, 25, was found to have illegally downloaded 30 songs and ordered to pay a total of $675,000 to the plaintiffs.

He was only the second person in the US to have been sued for downloading music over the Internet.

In the previous case, a Minnesota jury ordered Jammie Thomas-Rasset to pay $80,000 for infringing 24 songs, totaling
$1.92 million.

Lawyers for the record companies had argued that Tenenbaum was a "hardcore and habitual infringer" who had started downloading
music in 1999 and continued even after he was sued.

You can read the entire article at http://www.economictimes.com/

Parents will be pleased to know that their children are are legally buying all music from the IF Kiosk without any worry about virus infections or worry about inappropriate web surfing.

In addition to the fun and convenience of buying music everywhere without worries or concerns the IF Kiosk allows you to take advantage of many other things like daily retailer offers, concert promotions and much more!

Wherever you choose to buy your music the time has come to download legally for so many reasons. We hope you will choose to make the IF Music kiosk one of these ways and know you will enjoy the many varied benefits we work hard to offer you every day!


IF Music...Music Everywhere!