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Apple's iTunes music store starts selling Beatles songs

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Until now, to listen to Beatles songs on iPods, you’d have to obtain a CD and “rip” an online version of it—or find someone who already has, legalities aside.

Simply not true.

We've had Beatles music on our iPods for years, copied directly from OUR copies of Beatles CDs onto our iTunes and then our iPods. Nothing illegal about it, no different to recording it to a cassette tape so you could listen to it on a cassette walkman.

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Yep, exactly.

I don't understand what the big deal is. Anyone who is a real Beatles fan probably has all their CDs, or cassettes, or LPs anyway, and if they also have an iPod or other music player, probably have that music on their device by now, one way or another.

Don't be fooled by the hype--this is just a big deal because Apple is treating it like one.

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“rip” an online version

??? The writer has obviously never ripped a CD

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I've never downloaded a song in my life (I don't even know how to). I'm perfectly happy with my CDs and home entertainment system with its superb sound. And I love the Beatles, too - timeless music. I guess I am a dinosaur.

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Or just download the entire Beatles catalogue for free with one click on Vuze. That way EMI and Apple don't get their grubby hands on your hard-earned money.

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I listen to the radio and never get tired of it. Millions of songs for free.

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I agree, the internet will give you all of the Beatles songs absolutely FREE OF CHARGE. No need to throw a bone to EMI and Apple.

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That way EMI and Apple don't get their grubby hands on your hard-earned money.

Yeah, no need to actually pay the people who own the songs :/

I suspect these all have some sort of DRM, right? I'll buy the CD and rip if that's the case, though I already have all the CDs anyway...

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Yeah, no need to actually pay the people who own the songs :/

EMI already got my money years ago when I bought the CDs as well. I'm not going to pay them again just so I can listen to it on an iPod. It's much quicker to just download the lot rather than going through all of my CDs and ripping them to the computer. Stealing?? Maybe the law may say so but my conscience is clear. ^o^

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If you already got the CD's there is no need to buy again(nor download), Use your PC and a software like MediaMonkey,etc to drop them into your PC or portable player.

Takes me about 3min to convert 1 CD(ones I own) and add it to my MP3-Library.

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People who oppose file sharing are the same people who have been brainwashed by their governments into believing that everyone should pay as much income tax as possible. They are too stupid to see that the greedy music and movie industries have a vested interest in making you feel guilty about file sharing. They want you to believe that sharing is the same as stealing, but it isn't. It isn't stealing when you loan your friend or neighbor a compact disc, VHS or DVD and they make a copy for personal use.

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It isn't stealing when you loan your friend or neighbor a compact disc, VHS or DVD and they make a copy for personal use.

Thanks for the legal advice lawyer guy. Now I know that this thing I often see is wrong:

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

You're the lawyer, so you must no more than us commoners...

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I buy a lot of my Cd's online from Spain.

Spain has a fairly short licencening period which means CD Prices usually drop quicker than in other countries for the same CD.

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american bengoshi, while lending a CD, VHS or DVD to your friend isn't stealing, it is, in fact, a violation of copyright law for them to make a copy of it for personal use. That's always been outside the scope of fair use. People think it's OK because they've been doing it since they were kids. The reality is, the copyright owners have never had any way to find or prevent this kind of illegal copying. They aren't allowed to come into our homes and go through our personal stashes. I think you may have been brainwashed yourself on this one.

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Loaning a compact disc, VHS or DVD to your friend or neighbor who makes a copy for personal use is not considered an unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work and thus falls outside the scope of criminal copyright infringement. Look up the US federal and state statutes and regulations if you don't believe it.

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american bengoshi, you still got it wrong.

--yes, it's OK to loan to your friend...you can loan, sell, destroy. That is the first sale doctrine. It's your property. You can also make a copy for your own personal use.

--if you loan the item to your for friend, it's a violation of copyright law for the friend to make a copy of it. It doesn't matter if the friend is copying your item "for personal use".

Got it?

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I think it is OK to copy.

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Eyeblack - I think it is OK to copy.

For personal back-ups, yes. But, not for distribution. Same goes for DVDs and software. And, BTW, giving a copy to your friend is illegal, but you can 'loan' it with no stipulation on the timeframe.

I saw an article yesterday that promised some big announcement from Apple relating to iTunes and this was all it was about. Sooooo disappointing!
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Who cares about The Beatles anymore ? Everytime I hear their songs all I'm reminded about is my own approaching mortality.

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My grand-grand-grandmother is so excited about this. Wow! Beatles!

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People who oppose file sharing are the same people who have been brainwashed by their governments into believing that everyone should pay as much income tax as possible.

Amazing the lengths people will go to justify their greed, isn't it? If you want to loan music to a friend, support DRM-free music or lend your CDs. But just pilfering it off the net? No different than not liking the prices on Vuitton so buying fakes instead. Not the worst crime on the planet but not something you should pin on your chest as a badge of honor, either.

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File sharing is not "pilfering it off the net" or "unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted work". Sharing is not stealing no matter how the greedy music and movie industry shakes it.

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american_bengoshi.

Same question for you. Why is file-sharing, copying, etc considered illegal. Illegal means that activites are against the LAW and thus punishable.

You and others state it isn't, pls, give us your reasons why you think so. And cite examples within the legal framework to validate them.

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Okay, on top of my normal workload I'll do that just for you...

Moderator: All readers back on topic please. Posts that do not refer to the Beatles' songs becoming available on iTunes will be removed.

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