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Obtaining Legal MP3s Outside of the U.S.?

Posted by Cliff on from the there's-a-whole-music-lovin'-world-out-there dept.

frankkubiak asks: "I recently bought the new iPod with 40GB. I understand the arguments of the record industry, that I should buy the music I want to hear. Alright. So I don't want to get MP3 files by file-sharing. But here is my problem: I live outside the U.S., in Germany to be exact. iTunes only offers service to those inside the U.S. (see this related Slashdot article). I don't want a CD, vinyl record, tape or minidisc. I simply want to listen to the music. Even if I decide to buy a legacy audio CD, it is often copy-protected and won't load in my PC. So, strictly speaking, it is not even an audio-CD. Heise keeps a database of those un-CDs (German language. English speakers can use this fish-translated page). It sounds incredible, but even after hours of research on the web, I don't see a legal way to use this device with new songs. The only way I see to use this device is to buy a CD, and if I can't rip it, I'll have to [break the law and] download the MP3-file via file-sharing. I believe there are more people like me out there who want to listen to their music, without feeling guilty. Why is there no one meeting this demand? How does Slashdot feel about this?" Before you mention Napster, let's note that it has similar restrictions (see the "International Considerations" section). So where can non-U.S. internet users go to download the legal MP3s that they want?

3 of 623 comments (clear)

  1. WWJD by slash-tard · · Score: 5, Funny

    In these situations I always ask myself What Would Jesus Do?

    I think he would buy the the cd, rip it with audio hijack, and then load them up onto his iPod.

    1. Re:WWJD by RevAaron · · Score: 5, Funny
      That's interesting. In these situations I have a pretty similar routine... I guess you could call it WWJD, but instead I ask myself
      WHAT WOULD JEHOVAH DO?
      And, of course, there is only one answer to that: SMITE THEE!

      Man, I should get a tshirt with that.
      --

      Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
    2. Re:WWJD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually Jesus was crucified for copying a bunch of fish and bread. He really learned his lesson on copyright infringement.