Comments on: iTunes Legal Questions

By: MkBtt

MkBtt — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:19:38 +0000

So… you can burn an itunes track to a CD and sell it? So could you burn a compilation of itunes songs and sell that?

By: Steve K.

Steve K. — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 16:01:41 +0000

I think it’s a valid question and one that the record industry is going to have to deal with — and I hope they lighten up a little bit. If somebody actually wanted to buy your “extra” MP3 of “Meant to Live” (on eBay, on a burned CD, or whatever) the RIAA should allow that because it’s getting the music out there and getting it spread farther and wider! The more they try to clamp down, the more the people are going to rebel. I’ve got a bad taste in my mouth about the whole thing and I’ve never swapped files in my life! I think the record industry needs to adapt and change to the *real* world. People want the freedom to swap and exchange (and yes, SELL) music freely and openly, and trying to stop it is kind of like catching a housefly with chopsticks. (Oh wait, I’ve seen somebody do that in a movie once …) Anyway, you get my point. ‘Nuff said.

By: kevin

kevin — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 04:50:51 +0000

Perhaps the better way to phrase my question:

I bought a copy of Switchfoot’s “Meant to Live” on iTunes. On Saturday I got a press copy of the entire album. I now have two copies of “Meant to Live” in my iTunes. Anybody want the extra copy?

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 04:24:46 +0000

Yes, I believe it’s legal. The easiest way would probably be to burn that one track onto a CD and selling that single track to someone else.

But again, why bother? If it was ten tracks or more, it’s probably worth it, but if it’s less than that, then maybe not.

By: Andy Fast

Andy Fast — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 00:51:56 +0000

As I recall, The Digital Rights Management (DRM) allows you play that downloaded song on up to 3 computers that are authorized with Apple. If you can authorize that song to play on someone else’s computer and then exchange it then you’re golden but as Josh says its too much of a pain to be worth it.

By: kevin

kevin — Tue, 30 Mar 2004 00:45:49 +0000

But is it legal? That’s the real question. Cuz then I can pass it on to someone who might like the song (like you) for free or even for the 99 cents.

I’m not trying to make fast cash, I’m just trying to see what the value of these things is. Having two of the same song sitting on my computer is useless to me. But if I can give you the song, or sell it to you for 50 or 99 cents or whatever, then that’s cool.

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 29 Mar 2004 23:23:14 +0000

The fallout was, as I recall it, that you have the right to sell that song, but it is totally impractical and too much of a pain to be worth it for what would have to amount to less than 99 cents. I mean, what percent of eBay auctions sell stuff for less than 99 cents? It’s just not practical for the effort, especially in small volumes.