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The MP3 controversy comes from the fact that it can be downloaded over the Internet so easily. Some times without the songwriter’s permission.

On the other hand, this can be a great advantage for the music industry, as MP3 files could be used to distribute music cheaply.

It also means that music piracy has become hugely popular - especially though file sharing programmes.

A number of sites that have offered MP3 music files for free download over the Internet have been sued for breaking copyright as a result.

As a result, some record companies are putting special software onto music CDs that you buy from stores to make it more difficult for people to copy them onto their PC.

Note! Not all music is available on the internet to download and not all is available in the mp3 format.