Legal Sources of Online Content

The Higher Education Opportunity Act requires all colleges and universities to offer legal alternatives to unauthorized downloading. The below includes all of the legitimate online services that are approved by the AAP, MPAA, and RIAA. No endorsement or evaluation is intended. To suggest additions or provide other input, contact policy@educause.edu.

Note: Some of the sites listed provide some or all content at no charge; they are funded by advertising or represent artists who want their material distributed for free, or for other reasons. Just because content is free doesn't mean it's illegal. On the other hand, you may find websites offering to sell content which are not on the list below. Just because content is not free doesn't mean it's legal.

• Books
  In addition to music and movies, the Internet is being used for the unauthorized distribution of books, including textbooks. For legal sources of electronic versions of textbooks and other written works, visit the list of Legally-Available Digital Versions of Textbooks and Other Written Works provided by the Association of American Publishers.

• Movies and TV Shows
  The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) points to Legal Options for Movies & TV Shows on this site of services available to users in the U.S.

• Music
  The Recording Industry Association of American (RIAA), together with NARM, the music business association, maintains the Why Music Matters website that provides a current list of the licensed music services in the United States.

Legal Alternatives for Downloading