ABA Family Legal Guide

Computer Law

Computer Copyright and Trademark Issues

Copying Software and Downloading Entertainment

May I download music and videos from the Internet?

Be very careful. Just as a software company retains intellectual property rights to its computer programs, entertainment companies hold copyright protection for their music and videos and will safeguard these works from unauthorized reproduction. A good rule of thumb is that if you are downloading or copying something from the Internet as a way to avoid paying retail price, you are probably doing something you should not.