Is it always illegal to download music for free?

Answer 1

No is not always, it is illegal to download, unless the author has specifically given permission from their own sites. Peer to Peer downloading music is illegal.

Yes, unless the artist is giving it away or the website is licensing it to the public for free losing millions of dollars! No! Many artists have specifically allowed trading and sharing of recordings of their live shows online. Some even designate special areas for "tapers" to set up their equipment. Many of these are low quality bootlegs, but many others are good quality recordings directly off the mixer board.

Artists such as The Grateful Dead, The Black Crowes, 311, ACDC and many many more allow this, and most allow those recordings to be shared online. Additionally many indie artists would love for you to download their music for free, and maybe come by their website & buy a t-shirt later.

See the link below for the Further network. A file sharing utility which only permits legally available music to be transferred.

Answer 2

No. But the company might get in trouble, though. Probably not, but you may be sued and have to pay if you violate copyrights. If you SELL (or otherwise knowingly distribute) illegal copies of copyrighted materials that don't belong to you, then it could be a criminal violation with possible fines and prison.

Answer 3

Yes, you can. The more music you download the longer you stay in jail. My friend downloaded over 100 songs and stayed in jail for atleast a year.