Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why should I use a legal service when so much music and TV content is available for free?

There are a number of reasons, not least of which is in the question – it is illegal to steal copyrighted digital material and serves to undermine the artists that create the music you want to hear.

Even where some of this music is available on pirate sites, the variable quality, possibility of viruses or other problems and sheer hassle factor for people intent on stealing music makes it a poor-quality proposition in comparison to legitimate music services. After all, if you love music, why steal from the people who create it?

I have downloaded music over the Internet. How do I know whether or not it’s legal?

Legitimate music download sites provide songs that have been put online with the approval of record labels and artists, and this usually involves paying for royalties, so as a consumer you pay for each track you download.

There are many legitimate sites offering a whole host of music to download and enjoy. For a comprehensive list of legal services worldwide,
Visit: www.pro-music.org/musiconline.htm

If, for some reason, you are not certain whether you have paid for some of your digital music, the IFPI, the association that represents the recording industry worldwide, has software that it says can identify legal music files for you.
Visit: www.ifpi.org./site-content/antipiracy/digital-file-check.html

Could I be sued for swapping just a few songs without permission?

Any sharing of copyrighted material, without appropriate permission or payment, is theft, and therefore liable to legal action.

The principle always applies – play legal and support the artists.

Are there any other ways of enjoying music online, without having to download it?

There’s a whole range of great music content available on the Web, and there are different ways to enjoy it if you don’t want to download tracks.

For example, online radio is a very popular and easy way to listen to different types of music on your computer. Lots of radio stations now have a facility that enables you to listen to their shows online by ‘streaming’ them, as either live continuous broadcasts, or as an archive, so you can listen to them at your leisure.

Some online music services also offer you the chance to watch videos or listen to tracks online without having to download them to your computer, which is perfect if you just want to take one listen to something new. AOL Sessions, for example, are exclusive performances by new and established artists for an online audience. Some of the tracks are also available to download.

Does AOL block P2P sites on its service?

AOL’s Conditions of Service clearly state that copyright theft is not acceptable, and we will take action against members if appropriate. Peer-to-peer as a technology has an increasing range of completely legitimate uses so it is not appropriate to block its use en masse.

In terms of illegal file sharing, copyright owners and law enforcement use the appropriate channels to take action against those people who undertake this activity.

We believe that the biggest weapon online service providers can use against illegal P2P activity is to invest in legitimate and attractive legal options for Internet users, such as the AOL Music channel, Radio@AOL and AOL Sessions.

We also work to educate Internet users about the benefits of legitimate services and the risks of using illegal services.