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Atlanta, GA |

Is it illegal to use an mp3 converter to download music from youtube for personal use?

I have no intention of sharing or redistribution but I have been converting youtube videos to mp3 format simply because I cannot afford to purchase all the music outright. I don't share it with anyone and merely use it for studying/working out/etc. Would I be in trouble with the law?

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5 attorney answers

No, it is not legal. Whether you actually get in trouble is a different issue.

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This is a copyright infringement (and, likely, a violation of the YouTube Terms of Service). That you cannot afford something does not make it ok to take it without paying (e.g. stealing).

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This is textbook copyright infringement. You are getting music for free that you would normally have to pay for.

The answer to this question is for informational purposes only and does not form an attorney-client relationship.

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Is it okay for me to convert your bank account to my bank account for personal use because I cannot afford to purchase all I want? Sorry, "I am poor" is not an excuse to commit copyright infringement. However, as a practical matter, when it comes to music for personal use there may be arguments that the infringement is to minimize and, besides, who's to know?

I am not your lawyer and you are not my client. Free advice here is without recourse and any reliance thereupon is at your sole risk. This is done without compensation as a free public service. I am licensed in IL, MO, TX and I am a Reg. Pat. Atty. so advice in any other jurisdiction is strictly general advice and should be confirmed with an attorney licensed in that jurisdiction.

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Bruce E. Burdick

Bruce E. Burdick

5.0 stars 2 reviews
Intellectual Property Law Attorney | Alton, IL
Posted

Voice recognition error: "infringement is to minimize" should be "infringement is de minimus (so minimal that the law does not take cognizance of it)".

As the others have told you, the answer is Yes, it is copyright infringement. The RIA and other industry groups do sometimes get into the mode of going after individual people to make an example of them. If you search online for articles about lawsuits against individuals for copyright infringement, you should find examples of this. In addition, the person who put the music/video on YouTube in the first place may also be infringing, and if industry companies go after that person, they could end up get information from YouTube in the lawsuit that would lead them to you. So if you do this, you do it at your own risk.

Please note: This answer is not intended and should not be considered as legal advice. Such professional advice requires full disclosure to an attorney of a client’s circumstances and that attorney’s opportunity to analyze those circumstances against applicable law.

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