Like CD's and videos, MP3s are not necessarily illegal, only their creation/distribution without authorisation from the copyright holder. The sites that CLAIM that their material is perfectly legal MIGHT be telling the truth, but once again you shouldn't bet your life on it.

Still, it's an excellent question, Liza, so I'm sending you an immediate cash prize of £500 as a reward. But before you get too excited, I recommend you re-read that first line.

So the trick is...Don't use a fog horn when a whisper will do, but do be careful who you're whispering to.

Remember that the walls have ears, so they say. Anyway I thought that downloading mp3s such as full albums and singles is illegal also or did the laws on downloading mp3s changed? I want to know that if downloading them is illegal then how come when you click on an mp3 download site it says that it's totally legal? Or is it just illegal when you are making a profit from them?

NKTP: Neil Jones has not updated this site for a very long time.  Therefore, do not take any of the information or contact details there to be accurate at this time.  It is also unlikely to be updated in the near future, so it is best ignored.

As far as trading goes, there have been some worries in the past with certain traders making profit on their copying, and indeed on E-Bay people have been known to seel a series for a good £60+.  This is why tape trading is, to say the least, not advised any longer.

That is the general story.

As far as piracy law goes, it is very hard to inforce, and as Nic said, a rather discreat transaction is at worst hard to trace, rather than the unfortunate person on e-bay.  

So the trick is...Don't use a fog horn when a whisper will do, but do be careful who you're whispering to.

To be fair, that generally IS the only time that the police bother with them. They have the nous to realise when they're making a lot of pointless work and expense for themselves.

I only Download Theme Tunes Like the Knightmare One. I meen theres no Sound track for it is there?

Therefore only abandonware - material that has been withdrawn from commercial release - should be exempt from copyright. Old eps of Knightmare would generally be seen in this bracket, although again we have to be careful not to make too many assumptions..

I amoung my other pass times am what is comernly referd to as a Themester some one who downloads TV & Film Theme Tunes of the net. I know technicaly I'm breaking the Law but I'm not profiting from it, it is for my own personal enjoymant.

The Copyright laws are stupidety personifeyd. Only when money is being made should it be a crime.

I always thought it was 24 hours as well!! But how stupied is that other fact about it being illegal to invite freinds round to watch a video, I meen thats what I'm talikng abouut.

(Right. Rant over I feel better for getting that off my chest.)

(Although I think the 24 hours thing is actually 72 hours after recording, or 24 hours after first viewing the recording, whichever happens first. However, I'm not entirely sure either!)

Anyway, on the whole copyright palaver I'll say what my dad always does. If they were actually going to enforce these laws (the ones pertaining to selling of secondhand tapes etc) then the expense of bringing all these cases to court would far surpass the actual 'damage' done.

Now, when people start making a PROFIT over copyright crime (e.g. mass manufacture and selling of pirated movies and music) that's when the police are likely to get involved. (and I can assure you that they do, the Barras gets raided every week or so)

Actually, Liza, contrary to popular myth the laws are pretty clear cut. All the things you're listing are illegal and should not be done. For instance, did you know that when you invite your pals round to watch that brand new videotape you just bought half price from the bargain bucket at Woolworths, you are putting a copyright videogramme up to public exhibition without consent, and are thus breaking the law? (I kid ye not.)

But this is one of those numerous areas where the law takes no account of common sense, and so as long as you don't take any flagrantly unjust liberties, the law will usually turn a blind eye. But don't bet your life on it!

Just a thought though I wonder how many police officers watch videos around each others houses or even at the police station!

Pirate n: One who infringes copywrite or business right, or broadcasts without due authorization. -v reproduce (a book etc.) without due authorisation.

Copyright n: Sole right to publish a work -v secure copyright for.

But this is one of those numerous areas where the law takes no account of common sense, and so as long as you don't take any flagrantly unjust liberties, the law will usually turn a blind eye. But don't bet your life on it!