# This MP3 will self destruct in 24 hours. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 18, 2000, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mp3-will-self-destruct-in-24-hours/7517 "2000-02-18T03:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadPoet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@MadPoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPoet)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mp3-will-self-destruct-in-24-hours/7517/1 "2000-02-18T03:55:00Z")
Okay… I was searching for an MP3 and I ran across a message informing me that I had to delete all MP3s within 24 hours of downloading them if I didn’t own the original. I’ve seen the same thing downloading ROM images from arcade games. To my knowledge, you download something you don’t own, and you’re breaking the law from click one. Is there some new law I missed giving that leeway, or is this just wishful thinking on the part of the pirates? ---
**Author:** ![ubermensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bcef8e/32.png) [@ubermensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ubermensch)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mp3-will-self-destruct-in-24-hours/7517/2 "2000-02-18T03:59:00Z")
wishful thinking. the same sites probably also say something like, for demo use only, if you like it, buy the cd. it won’t deter the RIAA from shutting them down, or pressing charges ---
**Author:** ![JoeyBlades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@JoeyBlades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyBlades)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2000, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mp3-will-self-destruct-in-24-hours/7517/3 "2000-02-18T15:05:00Z")
That depends on whether the site has permission from the artists or whoever owns the rights to the songs. Some artists use mp3 distribution to encourage people to buy their albums. The [mp3.com](http://mp3.com) site is like this, but it doesn’t appear to set a time limit for most of the material on it’s site. I’ve seen others with time limits, but the artist has still given permission for the distribution of the mp3s, as long as the user agrees to trash the file. Some sites only stream the mp3 so it may be difficult for the listener to download a copy. Almost all of these legitimate sites will have a restriction on the user making unauthorized copies… can’t have people running off making compilation CDs and selling them… There’s a Macintosh emulation product called Basilisk that allows you to download a softcopy of the Macintosh ROM, but you can’t legally run the software unless you have a physical Macintosh ROM in your posession. There’s another company that is buying up used Macs, stripping the ROMs out of them, and selling them to users of this emulator. It’s all supposedly above board… Here’s a link to one of the Basilisk pages that I know of: [http://www.uni-mainz.de/~bauec002/B2Main.html](http://www.uni-mainz.de/~bauec002/B2Main.html) Also, the MAME FAQ talks about the legality of owning soft ROMs of arcade games. This may be what you were referring to. I would assume that you could take the same approach as the Basilisk project and obtain the physical ROMs for the arcade games you wish to emulate. The big problem here is that there are a lot fewer “Ms. PacMan” ROMs out there than Macintosh ROMs, and they’re harder to find and probably more expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Louie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@Louie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Louie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-mp3-will-self-destruct-in-24-hours/7517/4 "2000-02-19T04:06:00Z")
> [@](#): > > To my knowledge, you download something you don’t own, and you’re breaking the law from click one. Is there some new law I missed giving that leeway, or is this just wishful thinking on the part of the pirates? It’s wishful thinking by the pirates \(more like confusing people of the copyright violations laws)\ Answers to your question are highlighted. > [@](#): > > Whenever the distribution of a computer program occurs without the consent of the copyright holder, normally the publisher of the product, it is a direct infringement of the copyright law. \The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a program, even for only 24 hours, is illegal. The amount of time is not an exempting factor.\ > > To assist users in evaluating software, many publishers offer trial versions of software. The license specifically defines the period of time for use and requires the user to either delete the program or buy it, after that time has expired. However, only publishers and their authorized distributor may offer trial versions. > > \Users who promote the mythical 24-hour rule are attempting to justify their infringing activity. They establish sites to illegally distribute software under the false premise that it is legal to do so, as long as the downloader buys or deletes it after 24 hours. Those who provide the software, and those who download the software, often unsuspecting or unknowledgeable users, may be held liable for this activity.\ ## Cite : [http://www.siia.net/piracy/programs/legends.htm](http://www.siia.net/piracy/programs/legends.htm) _Louie: young guy, possibly a bit green, but smart as paint._ - Greg Charles [have some fun](http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/19991103-2-000302.html)