Title 17 of the United States Code
11-01. Unauthorized fixation and trafficking in sound recordings and music videos
(a) Unauthorized Acts. — Anyone who, without the consent of the performer or performers involved —
(1) fixes the sounds or sounds and images of a live musical performance in a copy or phonorecord, or reproduces copies or phonorecords of such a performance from an unauthorized fixation,
(2) transmits or otherwise communicates to the public the sounds or sounds and images of a live musical performance, or
(3) distributes or offers to distribute, sells or offers to sell, rents or offers to rent, or traffics in any copy or phonorecord fixed as described in paragraph (1), regardless of whether the fixations occurred in the United States,
shall be subject to the remedies provided in sections 502 through 505, to the same extent as an infringer of copyright.
(b) Definition. — As used in this section, the term “traffic in” means transport, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, to another, as consideration for anything of value, or make or obtain control of with intent to transport, transfer, or dispose of.
(c) Applicability. — This section shall apply to any act or acts that occur on or after the date of the enactment of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
(d) State Law Not Preempted. — Nothing in this section may be construed to annul or limit any rights or remedies under the common law or statutes of any State.
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Technically, even though you are sharing files with friends, you are in violation of US law.
Simply making a "copy" of an original recording (without permission) is violating this law.
The stupid thing is that it is perfectly legal to purchase devices specifically designed to enable us to violate copyright laws, such as tape recorders, vhs recorders and now dvd and cd recorders, not to mention computer mp3 programs, etc.
Even recording that tv show you don`t want to miss is considered against copywrite law. I guess the question for you is would your God punish you for this?
It is an established fact that some recording artists don`t care if you share their music, so is it just a matter of personal opinion, or does copyrite law overshadow everything?
I guess the question is whether your God recognizes the law.
I can`t help you there.
BUT
Is it considered "stealing" or "breaking copyright law"? That might be the bigger question. If you are taken to court for copyright infringment and found guilty, you are not charged with theft are you? No, you are charged with copyright infringment!
Moses never said "though shall not break copyright laws" He said though shall not steal, this apparently being God`s word right?