Are Music Blogs Legal?

[Peachesbackwards]

There are alot of legally gray areas on the internet and one thing I'm particularly unclear of are Music Blogs. I'm posting this question because I'm in the process of launching an audio equipment website & I was thinking of providing links to various music blog spots like Heavy Rock Spectacular & Chris Goes Rock for example. Most of these blog spots have uploaded excellent complete CD albums at high quality sound & anyone can download albums for free from them. My question is, note I'm not trying to blow the whistle on them, is, is this legal, as I don't need to get hassled by the record industry for providing links to sites that they consider illegal. Likewise, if one downloads or uploads albums on them, can one get sued? Also, if they're torrent files is that still illegal?

 

[hermeslyre]

If you simply link to these sites, it's not illegal. However The RIAA have taken it upon themselves to consider linking illegal, and they could take action. Copyright material belongs to the artist, they can bring you to court if they catch you DL'ing/UL'ing, though they seem to go after the uploaders more than the downloaders. FTP or torrent, it's all the same to the RIAA.

I myself wouldn't worry about it, but there is a very small risk of legal consequences for linking to sites that offer copyrighted material for download.

 

[Peachesbackwards]

Thanks for the Advice

Honestly, I've gotten so, if its not worth the hassle, don't do it, so I guess I won't even bothering with that. Thanks for giving me your 2 cents on this.