is it legal to download music off the internet for educational purposes?

Im a DJ for school and wanted to know

It depends.

Educational purposes means for studying the work (music or literature or whatever) and in the USA may be covered under the Fair Use provisions of the Copyright legislation. Fair Use however is not a right, it is only grounds for defense against a charge of copyright infringement.

But spinning tunes at a school dance would not be an educational purpose under those terms.

Bottom line – You don’t get a free pass because its in school. Legally, you probably still have to purchase the music you use.

2 Responses to “is it legal to download music off the internet for educational purposes?”

  1. Sexy Scottish Kool Aid Man says:

    NO , downloading anything which is copyrighted without the copyrighter’s consent is illegal no matter what it is for
    References :

  2. CanadaRAM says:

    It depends.

    Educational purposes means for studying the work (music or literature or whatever) and in the USA may be covered under the Fair Use provisions of the Copyright legislation. Fair Use however is not a right, it is only grounds for defense against a charge of copyright infringement.

    But spinning tunes at a school dance would not be an educational purpose under those terms.

    Bottom line – You don’t get a free pass because its in school. Legally, you probably still have to purchase the music you use.
    References :

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