If I download a song I paid for and digitally lend it to someone else digitally, is this illegal?
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If I download a song I paid for and digitally lend it to someone else digitally, is this illegal?
If I download a song I paid for and digitally lend it to someone else (only lend it, not storing it on his computer for him to listen to it, nor exploiting it for commercial use) can this be considered piracy or any other illegal act?
Asked on June 1, 2012 under Criminal Law, California
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Typically, even if the downloaded material was paid for by you, in most cases you are not allowed under copyright law to transfer or distribute copyright material without the consent of the copyright holder. Because digital music can transferred at such a fast pace with technology, it may be difficult to show that you had an intent to illegally transfer or distribute copyright material with the use of just one song.
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