Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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?

8 of 623 comments (clear)

  1. Sorry by Melvin+Daniels · · Score: -1, Troll

    To be honest, the answer is a tough one to have an answer for, and if you were going to buy an iPod, you should've thought about this in the first place. I don't know if you just wanted to be the cool guy with the iPod, or what, but you can't just buy every shiny little thing you see on TV.

  2. I recommend by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Fucking yourself in the ass

    Long live the French!

    Desirent ardemment DE PHASE LES FRANCAIS!

  3. -5 Troll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    In communist germany the music downloads you. (sorry had to)

  4. Simple solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Move to US of A

  5. Re:This may sound stupid but.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Whats this "outside of america" you people are talking about? Aren't our laws in place everywhere? Europe, thats over near New York right?

  6. Re:My Comments on your Dilemmia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    seriously. for $400 he could buy a decent guitar. or get half a dozen blowjobs. or some good weed.

  7. in soviet russia by user317 · · Score: -1, Troll

    http://club.mp3search.ru/

    --
    me fail english? thats unpossible
  8. Re:CD... Baby, ermm. by metamatic · · Score: 0, Troll

    At $15 a CD plus shipping they're no less overpriced than the RIAA.

    --
    GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak