.... is it considered "pirating" if you download a music file for free?
I've tried to get this question answered, and so far, no luck. Back in the days of turntables, I bought a lot of records in the USED bin at my local music store. Now I need those same songs in digital format, and rather than screw around with the program that requires me to hook up all my analog stuff to convert the songs (turntable, tape deck, etc.) it makes more sense and a better use of my time to go to a P2P service. (and by the time I figure out the directions, and translate the manual, I'll be too old to enjoy them anymore.)

If, god forbid, the powers-that-be decided to track me down, what if any
rights would I have, having paid for the music initially?

Any legal scholars out there who have an answer to this?
Thanks for reading this...

If you ask the record companies, they will say you have to buy them again. But it depends a bit on what country you live in, whether it would be considered copyright infringement or not.

If the records are mint condition, then I would highly recommend ripping them yourself rather than downloading them (only to do with quality, not legal issues )

Thanks Sleepless.... I understand that musicians need to be reimbursed for their work, but when I've already paid for it, then I feel like I've covered my bases.
(As far as mint condition - well, that bridge was crossed long ago, and as to having the time to do something like that.....ha ha ha Ha!!)

My father had over 68,000 78's and 33's - mostly Big Band music, and put a lot of them on tape, including reel-to-reel. God bless him for finding the time, but I can barely keep up with daily life!!
(the collection ended up at Belfer Audio Labs at Syracuse University...)