Is it wrong to download old versions of radio shows?

Question

They may still be copyrighted, but there's no other way to get these old shows except through download sites. What's the harm? The ethics?

Answer 1

Do you believe its wrong? If not - go for it!

Answer 2

Not many of the old radio shows are copyrighted, and the sites that offer them for free usually don't use the ones that are. It's no more wrong than downloading music and a lot of people have no problem with that. I don't think we will be caught if we don't try to sell what we download.

I've downloaded some shows, not a lot, but I really enjoy listening to them on my computer as I do other things.

I bought the software and digitized my collection of old radio shows that I purchased. Want 'em. They're in California.

Answer 3

It's not ethical or legal to reproduce a copyrighted program without the permission of the copyright holder, provided the copyright is still in effect.  Doesn't matter if download sites are the only way to get stuff.  Lots of copyrighted material rests only in the hands of the holders and is otherwise impossible to get...

If you want to stay squeaky clean, the thing to do is research how old the program is and find out whether the copyright is still in effect.  If it is, ask the holder if you can have a copy of the program.  If the copyright has expired, then the program is public domain and you can copy it.