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File-sharing programs are probably the most controversial way to download and burn free music on the Internet, but file sharing has never been more popular. Programs like KaZaA, Limewire, Ares, Shareaza, WinMX and iMesh seem to be the most popular for gathering totally free music to download. Lawsuits by the music business have slowed some of the illegal sharing of pirated music, but there are new file-sharing programs that use methods to allow users to be anonymous.

Such file-sharing programs are also called P2P, or peer-to-peer programs. Unlike the old Napster network that ran all exchanges through a central server, this entirely free music download software, using P2P networks connects users directly to each other allowing them to download and burn free music.

It should be mentioned that file-sharing programs are not illegal in themselves, and their creators like to emphasize their many legitimate uses. Some unsigned bands use the file-sharing networks to distribute their music through free music downloads and several organizations use them to exchange documents.

Lots of people are confused about what is legal.

* Are there actually places to download and burn free music on the internet?

* Can downloading music put you at risk for legal action?

* Is file-sharing legal?

It's no wonder people are confused when we all know that the Net is full of legal music download sites advertised as "napster replacements" which are 100% legal. Sites like Mp3 Advance, DownloadShield and MP3 Music Subscription are just a few that offer a lot more than just music downloads. The vast majority of totally free music download programs shared on P2P (peer-to-peer) networks like KaZaA, Limewire, Ares, Shareaza, WinMX and iMesh seem to violate copyright laws because the music was posted without permission of the artist or label.

Since it's almost impossible to determine which free music downloads may be legitimate, the only certain way to stay legal is to avoid these type file-sharing programs altogether.

Unauthorized copying of commercial music is clearly illegal These totally free music downloads usually means songs that are made from CD's and then placed on the internet by individuals who haven't sought permission from the artist or music company.

What do copyright laws allow, actually? To put it simply but clear, you may make a copy of your own CD for your personal use. That means you may record it to a cassette tape or transfer it to MP3 files. You may not, however, give the copy you made to another person. Many people think that if no money is involved, then no law has been broken. This is not right. It doesn't matter whether you give the copy away or sell it, this is still a violation of copyright law.