# Request clarification on file-sharing **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [June 29, 2002, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/request-clarification-on-file-sharing/116563 "2002-06-29T11:13:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/request-clarification-on-file-sharing/116563/1 "2002-06-29T11:13:06Z")
In a current Pit thread, Coldfire noted the following: > [@](#): > > Although with our given attitude towards file sharing software, I find it hard to believe that anyone could not know that using the SDMB to exchange files obtained by KaZAa is a bad thing. Now, I’m pretty sure as to the answer of my question, but I’m going to ask it just to make doubly sure. Would it be all right for me to make a post about a movie file or music file I, myself, have made and own, and provide the name of the file so people can search on, say, Kazaa, to download the file from my computer? In other words… can we discuss the trading of files if the files are either public domain (like a recording of the Happy Birthday song) or if we own the work and give permission to people to trade it at their whim? ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/request-clarification-on-file-sharing/116563/2 "2002-06-29T12:03:47Z")
If it’s clearly public domain, or if you clearly own the rights yourself (because you made it, for example), then there is no copyright issue. However, given the dubious nature of file sharing programs such as KaZaA, I’d still prefer another method of distribution. I understand that some files are too large for e-mail. But it’s not too hard to set up a web page and host your art work there. So, in short: if there is no copyright infringement, yeah, I guess you could mention your KaZaA username. But if there’s a possibility of avoiding P2P programs altogether, that would be most preferable. Does that help? ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/request-clarification-on-file-sharing/116563/3 "2002-06-29T12:20:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > if the files are either public domain (like a recording of the Happy Birthday song) Another problem is that many times there is confusion about what is free to distribute and what isn’t. To take the example of the Birthday song, [here’s what Cecil says](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/000728.html) > [@](#): > > The copyright laws having been revised, the > copyright on “Happy Birthday” now won’t expire until 2011–or at least so says > Warner/Chappell Music Group, current owner of the song. But the restriction applies only to commercial performances. You can sing it for free to your heart’s content. I don’t know if that’s what you mean by “public domain”. Or to take another example: look in The BBQ Pit thread that you mention. OpalCat says “this is legal to share”, and other posters are saying “no it isn’t.” That’s why I personally am more comfortable if the posters do this outside of the board. Every time we have to make a ruling on the subject you know someone will complain. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/request-clarification-on-file-sharing/116563/4 "2002-06-29T22:41:28Z")
All righty, thanks Coldy an’ Arny.