Why are there so many websites offering classical music free downloads? Isn't it illegal to download it?

There are tonnes of websites offering classical music, and allowing you to just download it for free. Isn’t it illegal? I do know that if a writer has been dead for 75 years then his works are free to be put on the internet etc., is it the same for composers?

Answer by krystle579
Preeeety much. Classical music is so old that a lot of times it’s just out there. Record companies are unlikely to pursue a case because it’s not like classical music is a big money maker to them, and it would cost them more money to bother with the courts. The only way you could get in trouble is if a certain musician that played/recorded the piece wanted to pursue, but that’s unlikely. I don’t think there are copyright laws on stuff like that – because of the age, like you listed.

Answer by James Knight
I dont think that the fact that the composer is dead would ‘free’ the rights as the record companies still have them. However, there is a good possibility that those companies no longer exist.

Answer by Toaster
There are two kinds of rights affected. At first there is the copyright, the composer’s right on his work (transferred to his successors when he or she dies). In the US (and the EU) the copyright ends 70 years after the composer’s death for all of his works. Before that date, every work is protected and may not be copied without permission. So Beethoven is free, and so is Elgar (died 1934), but Prokofiev is not (died 1953).

The other right ist the master right, owned by the musicians who play the music. This is usually managed by the record label and ends 50 years after release date. So if you have a Beethoven download, then the work is free, but the recording may be not.

These are the dates for US and EU, there are huge differences in other countries. Due to steady changes in copyright jurisdiction, it appears that in Russia Beatles recordings are free of all rights. A Russian provider may legally offer Beatles downloads in the Internet, but if you are US citizen you may not legally download them, because in the US the Beatles are copyright protected.

What do you think? Answer below!

En ces temps d’esbroufe [verso]


Image by Jordan Prestrot
Pochette de disque – Décembre 2009

Écoute et téléchargement gratuits :
jordanprestrot.blogspot.com/2009/12/en-ces-temps-desbrouf…

Album artwork – December 2009

Listen and download the music for free here : jordanprestrot.blogspot.com/2009/12/en-ces-temps-desbrouf…

______________________________________________________________________

Can anyone tell me how to download classical music? I want to download Anakin vs. Obi-wan.

Answer by HapJoa 56
Go to google and type in classical music downloads anakin vs. Obi-wan. See what comes up.

Here is a link that has classical music downloads anakin vs. Obi-wan.

http://www.last.fm/music/John+Williams/_/Anakin+vs.+Obi-Wan

Answer by glinzek
Where did you get the idea that this was classical? It’s a film score, and a good one, but classical it ain’t. Please learn the difference.

Answer by mellotron12
That’s from a film score and isn’t considered classical music. You probably won’t be able to find a free, legal version of that piece. Try Limewire.

If you really want to download free classical music, check out

http://www.classicalcat.net

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