U.S. Literal Law on Illegally Downloading Music
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the illegal downloading and copying of music is classed under U.S. law as a crime. Sound recordings distributed on the Internet are subject to federal copyright law.
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Illegal Downloads
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The illegal downloading of music is prosecuted for two forms of criminal offenses. The RIAA reports prosecution of Internet users who upload sound recordings to Internet sites for others to download and those who download songs from the Internet.
NET
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The No Electronic Theft (NET) Act was signed into U.S. law in 1997 by President Clinton. The Wired Safety website reports NET allows for prosecution of illegally downloaded music even when no attempt is made to gain financially from the download.
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Prosecution
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The RIAA reports U.S. law allows for both civil and criminal prosecution for illegal music downloads. Criminal prosecutions for illegal music downloads for first-time offenders can result in up to five years jail time and $250,000 fines. Civil prosecutions provide a minimum fine of $750 per illegally downloaded song.
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References
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