Complications of a music website?

[phpforfun]

ok, so I have a website going, and Im kind of scared because its 100% illegal..

The website isnt open to the public all the way, its invite only, each user gets 2 invite codes, and that way it keeps it out of some legal authority finding it.

Its allll music, music I have, and music that the users upload for other users to listen to... Right now I have about 1185 songs and 60 users, hasnt even been up a month...

How do I make this legal? who do I pay and how much? I know its like $.000769 a song play, not a song.... but for each time its used, which is cool, but thats if the songs are purchased, which none of these are. So mind if I get a word of advice? Thanks!

[Jordan]

Your site will be found out and busted. Two keys will not keep the music industry out, there are real people searching for these sites (not bots or machines). What will happen:

1) Your web host will get a letter from the record companies claiming legal action.
2) You will be forced to shut down (probably your webhost or ISP will turn off your service).
3) Sharing that many songs you will be faced with Jail time and/or sued.

Just recently there was a girl sharing 5 songs on one of the popular file sharing services. She was fined something like $100,000 - $300,000.

[TcM]

If you don't want to get caught use the same system like warez forums do... upload it to some webhost and just insert the URL in your website, so DO NOT host the files yourself... in this way your website will not be illegal, because it will NOT be hosting anything illegal.. just a link to another website.

[Jordan]

That will still get you in trouble.

Pirate Bay Future Uncertain After Operators Busted | Threat Level from Wired.com
The Pirate Bay Busted :: www.pegasos.org :: The Alternative Choice


EDIT: Its called.... "promoting other people's infringements of copyright laws."

[phpforfun]

well.. im the server.. thus id be the one getting a legal action letter

What im asking is... how do I make it legal, I know its illegal, thats why im flying low right now. How can I make it legal?

[Jordan]

Remove the MP3 files so that users can not download them. If you want to sell MP3 files you need to have a running business and contracts with the music industries that allow you to do so.

[phpforfun]

ok im not letting people download them.... This is not a downloading website..

Its just to listen, and users can upload there songs if they please

[Jordan]

You are still sharing those files. Whether you know how to save a file that you are listening to via the web or not doesn't mean your users don't know how to do it. And, if you allow them to upload that means you are downloading illegal files as well as serving them.

[phpforfun]

so no way to make this legal?

[phpforfun]

I guess not, maybe ill take it down tonight.