I found this article on the Shop Sansa blog. It is a pretty good guide if you want know the downsides of downloading music illegally. Personally I hate the RIAA, but here you go.
There are a lot of MP3 download sites from which to choose and more are starting up every day. Each of the best offers specific features and benefits. It is important to make sure what you are downloading has been legally purchased from a site approved by the music industry.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members’ creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies.
RIAA approved download sites for your Sansa MP3 player
It’s easy to find legal sites to download great music for your Sansa MP3 player. For a full list of legal music sites approved by the music industry go to http://www.riaa.com/toolsforparents.php?content_selector=legal_music_sites. Here you can find all the latest and greatest songs, music videos, classic oldies, a wide variety of jazz and classical standards plus broadband radio and TV shows.
For example – audiocandy.com offers over 2 million MP3 downloads from most labels. It also lets you connect to TV episodes and feature films for free. Puretracks.com offers everything from pop and country to jazz rifts and indie music. Other RIAA recommended sites include AOL Music, Best Buy, Lifeway, SamGoody and more.
If you want to pay per month, rather than by the track, take a look at http://www.rhapsody.com
Rhapsody lets you listen to everything they have in their massive catalog for one low monthly price. This monthly subscription service includes a full spectrum from new to old, mainstream to indie, hip-hop to classical and more. You can search by artist, browse genres, tune into Rhapsody Channels and get personalized recommendations. It’s easy to create your own playlist and then share it with friends.
For free and legal access to independent music, try http://iodapromonet.com
Promonet is a unique promotional music distribution network that provides its users with a new way to legally download, publish, and share music. Promonet is run by IODA — http://www.iodalliance.com — the leading digital distributor of independent digital music. More than 3000 of the best and most influential independent record labels distribute their music through IODA, and they have given IODA permission to make thousands of their tracks available to Promonet users.
Tips to follow to avoid illegal music
The RIAA offers the following tips to help consumers avoid illegal music: Remember the Adage “You Get What You Pay For”: Even if you are hoping to get your favorite albums at a discount, new or used, extremely low prices might indicate pirated product. Watch for Compilations that are “Too Good to Be True”: Many pirates make illegal “dream compilation” CDs, comprised of songs by numerous artists on different record labels. Read the Label: If the true name and address of the manufacturer are not shown, it is most likely not legitimate product. These products often do not contain a bar code. Furthermore, if the record label listed is a company you’ve never heard of, that should be another warning sign.
