I am in a debate right now as to whether uploading music files (from the CDs that I own) to a webserver (for storage) is illegal or not. The data isn't publicly accessible (you need to login to FTP), but is it still illegal to do so?

Thanks for anybody's input.

It heavily depends on the country. And on the country the server is in. From what I know it's OK in most (all?) of Europe.

I'm in the US, and so is the server.

If you're the only person who can access the files, I don't know how it could be construed as illegal. (Aside from the fact that some evil media companies say that it is not within your rights to change the format of digital media, but that's another question I believe.) Now, if multiple people have access to the same media which came from a single source, then I'd be just a bit more concerned. But it begs the question: if the system is based on (and requires) login, how could anybody but those allowed folks know about it?

My logic exactly. My server runs as follows, when you login, you're put into '/home/username/', and websites are in '/home/username/sitename.com/' so putting them in a '/home/username/myfiles/' directory makes them inaccessible from the web and inaccessible to other users (i know all of my users anyway, but it could still be a technicality).

Just wanted to get some affirmation before I started uploading. If there's anyone that's had past experience with this or has any knowledge of this possibly being a felony, please speak up.

Isn't it the old FTP protocol that sends plain text username and passwords through the line? Or are you using a security thingy on top of the ftp? Because if it is the classic FTP then malicious h4xxors could get your pswd and thus have access to your files. But I'm not sure of the legal implications of that since what the h4xxors would be doing is illegal.

It's legal, don't sweat it.

I would be relucant to put the files there. It isn't an ordinary thing that you would do in the usual private enjoyment of the music. It could be said that you would not put files in a shareable location without the intention of shareing them.

An external hard drive is faster and cheaper.

It's truly a sad state of affairs when a question such as this even needs to be asked.

There was a Slashdot interview about a month ago that you may be interested in reading: http://interviews.slashdot.org/artic.../09/13/1627205

The interviewee may tell you that there's not enough legal precedence to say it is legal or not legal. That was the jist of most his answers as I recall.