Is it Ok to download an mp3 'illegally' provided you have the vinyl? I need to convert my tracks to cd, but recording them will take an age, and i don't see why I should have to pay for them again by buying them off beatport. Can you still play in clubs with these tracks?

Is it ok legally? Then no it isn't.

Is it ok morally? Then yes, I think it is

I agree with agentdansmith

The idea is format shifting, eg. you have a license (you bought the vinyl) for the track, you should be allowed to copy it to another format as you see, as long as you hold the original license. While format shifting _should_ be legal and covered under fair-use (in the United States; laws may vary elsewhere), there is some gray area. Ripping it to mp3 yourself should be how you do it, but I don't really see a difference between downloading a copy.

One could argue that vinyl->mp3 won't give you the same quality, though.

Who gives a bollocks? As long as you have the vinyl...why do you have to ask?

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Atlas Boxolo Klub

Depends on what do you mean by "OK." Downloading illegal content is probably never legal (doh!), no matter what other formats you own.

Morally I don't see a problem with it, but legally you'll get in big trouble of ASCAP decides to audit your club that night, and you don't have any proof that you own the license to play those tracks.

"I SWEAR I have those songs on vinyl at home!"

"That's what everyone says..."

You should save yourself the trouble and just rip the vinyls instead of relying on downloads of the tracks you want (in dodgy/un-usable bitrates). Besides it might actually take more time to download the songs than to just rip them (if the tracks are hard-to-find)

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quote:

Originally posted by Dojomaster26 Morally I don't see a problem with it, but legally you'll get in big trouble of ASCAP decides to audit your club that night, and you don't have any proof that you own the license to play those tracks. "I SWEAR I have those songs on vinyl at home!" "That's what everyone says..." You should save yourself the trouble and just rip the vinyls instead of relying on downloads of the tracks you want (in dodgy/un-usable bitrates). Besides it might actually take more time to download the songs than to just rip them (if the tracks are hard-to-find)

Of course in the UK if you say "I SWEAR I have those songs on vinyl at home!" they'll say "I don't care, if you want them on CD you have to buy a CD copy too"... lol bollocks laws over here.

Still, it's better than it being illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your pocket, as is the case in Lexington, Kentucky. Dunno where I'd be without my lucky cone...

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Stu Cox |

In the Netherlands this actually would be legal 100% .
Having a copy of music you own is legal for backup purposes, you can download it or get it somewhere else, but having a copy of music you bought/own is legal as long as you still own the original copy .

(Actually downloading itself is 100% legal too. Uploading/sharing isn't. However if you can't prove you own an original paid for product containing the tracks you could potentially be in trouble. 0.000001% chance probably)

Got to love my country.

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