Obtaining Legal MP3s Outside of the U.S.?

frankkubiak asks: "I recently bought the new iPod with 40GB. I understand the arguments of the record industry, that I should buy the music I want to hear. Alright. So I don't want to get MP3 files by file-sharing. But here is my problem: I live outside the U.S., in Germany to be exact. iTunes only offers service to those inside the U.S. (see this related Slashdot article). I don't want a CD, vinyl record, tape or minidisc. I simply want to listen to the music. Even if I decide to buy a legacy audio CD, it is often copy-protected and won't load in my PC. So, strictly speaking, it is not even an audio-CD. Heise keeps a database of those un-CDs (German language. English speakers can use this fish-translated page). It sounds incredible, but even after hours of research on the web, I don't see a legal way to use this device with new songs. The only way I see to use this device is to buy a CD, and if I can't rip it, I'll have to [break the law and] download the MP3-file via file-sharing. I believe there are more people like me out there who want to listen to their music, without feeling guilty. Why is there no one meeting this demand? How does Slashdot feel about this?" Before you mention Napster, let's note that it has similar restrictions (see the "International Considerations" section). So where can non-U.S. internet users go to download the legal MP3s that they want?

MP3

[Anonymous Coward]

MP3 = Terrorism.

German Kazaa

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps you could use Mein Kampfzaa?

How does Slashdot feel about this?

[caston]

How does Slashdot feel about this?

Slashdot has feelings? Next I am expected to give her flowers, say nice things and nibble her ear...

40GB

[savagedome]

I recently bought the new iPod with 40GB

40GB with no access to legal music. Not that's gotta hurt. iPod mini might have been a good start ;)

Re:How does Slashdot feel about this?

[rocjoe71]

...how predictable!

Try saying nice things about ears and nibble on the flowers instead.

Don't jump the gun!

[PCM2]

You Europeans are getting way ahead of yourselves. "Legal" MP3s are not proven technology yet. Stick to the file-sharing for now, and leave the other stuff to the early adopters in the U.S., at least until the bugs get ironed out.

WWJD

[slash-tard]

In these situations I always ask myself What Would Jesus Do?

I think he would buy the the cd, rip it with audio hijack, and then load them up onto his iPod.

Re:Chappelle's show!!!

[themurph17]

what did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!! i'm rick james...bitch!

Re:WWJD

[RevAaron]

That's interesting. In these situations I have a pretty similar routine... I guess you could call it WWJD, but instead I ask myself

WHAT WOULD JEHOVAH DO?

And, of course, there is only one answer to that: SMITE THEE!

Man, I should get a tshirt with that.

Re:www.allofmp3.com

[Anonymous Coward]

According to them, when you purchase those songs you legally own them in Russia.

That makes sense. After all, outside of Russia, the songs legally own you...

Re:WWJD

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually Jesus was crucified for copying a bunch of fish and bread. He really learned his lesson on copyright infringement.

Re:This may sound stupid but....

[ArseneLupin]

Here in The Netherlands, anything you download as a private person is legal; how about that for fair use?

Last I checked, The Netherlands are in the EU. And since Tuesday, we now have this nasty new law [slashdot.org] which makes all kinds of IP infringments (including "private copy" and also patent infringments) illegal, punishable by the death penalty (several countries had to change their constitution because of this, because they've abolished the death penalty long ago, and needed to re-introduce it for this new scary directive...)