Legalities of a Company Sponsored MP3 Repository?

An anonymous reader asks: "At our company numerous people store MP3s on their local hard drives. Because we don't allow MP3's through email, and peer-to-peer file sharing programs, practically all of the MP3s are ripped from CD in the office. What is the liability for the company if it were to allow employees to place all ripped MP3s in a central location, that any employee could access? There would be practically no way to distribute the MP3s outside of the company, and it seems that this would be a legitimate practice that shouldn't open the company to liability (equivalent to providing the CD to a coworker). I'm wondering because I'd like to use this as a morale-booster at our company. I'm worried about the company being liable in some way as it would be company-supported. Does anyone have any feedback or experience with this?"

Comments

Re:The company is liable

[digerata]

And in other news... 1 + 1 = 2.

Sheesh, the lack of common sense this in this question is startling.

Re:Sorry

[ip_vjl]

I don't see how that's different.

It's not how YOU see the situation that matters. It is how the COURTS would see the situation. For that, you need to look at precedent and consult an attorney.

You: Your honor, l33tD00d_74 on slashdot said it would be ok to do it.

Judge: Oh, in that case ... case dismissed.

Boost Morale?

[craigeyb]

Boost Morale? That's laughable. Just do what every other company does: buy a longer whip!