For $0.99, you can get a song at Napster, iTunes and other MP3 store that sell DRM protected music. Then you would have to download an extra software: agent or client (download manager full of spyware), deal with DRM issues, worry about compatability with your MP3 player or iPod. Moreover you can not preview a song (or have only 30-sec preview in low quality). And you would have to pay $0.99 a song! Does it worth it? That makes it cost about $4,000 to fill up your 20 gig player!

But there are now several MP3 sites out there that change it! My favorite one is MP3Panda. You don't need to install any program, you are able to use just your regular web browser. An average song costs just $0.10. Which means you could fill that 20Gig iPod for only $120 or that 80G iRiver for $200. Doesn't that seem more reasonable? Unlike most other music downloading services the presented files are not protected at all. You can do whatever you want with the music files: burn audio CDs, share it with friends, transfer music to your portable mp3 player, phone etc. - there are no limits. Completely DRM free, the way music should be.

If you've never heard of it, you might have some questions: How can it be so cheap? Is it legal? Is it safe to pay by credit card?

How Can it Be So Cheap? Most of the sites are based in Russia and follow Russian copyright laws--and the Russian market. An average legit CD in Russia costs about $1 in U.S. Dollars. Copyright law in Russia makes sure some of that money goes to the artist and publisher. Just as you could stock up on cheap music in Russia, or cheap film in Singapore, these sites let you buy MP3s at Russian rates and import it into the U.S, or any other country.

Is it Legal? Yes, it is. It abides by all copyright and customs laws of Russia and the U.S. It is legal both for the sites to sell mp3s and for International consumers to purchase those songs without any fear of repercussions.

All of these sites has signed agreements for this with Rightholders Federation for Collective Copyright Management of Works Used Interactively (FAIR). According to license the Internet-projects, have the right to use musical compositions by providing downloads. Under the license agreement they pays out fees to FAIR for downloaded materials that are subject to the Russian Federation Copyright And Related Rights Law. FAIR manages intellectual rights in the Russian Federation. All third party distributors licensed by FAIR are required to pay a portion of the revenue to the FAIR. FAIR in turn, is obligated to pay most of that money (aside from small portion it needs for operating expenses) to artists. Both Russian and foreign.

Is it safe to pay by credit card? Credit card payments are processed by a third party payment processors. These companies are verified by companies like Visa and Mastercard (and you can check it on the sites). No one has ever reported credit card abuse as a result of payments made to them. You are quite safe using your credit card with these companies.

My favorite websites providing legal and cheap mp3 music are:

1. MP3Panda

2. Soundike

3. Legalsounds

More information and detailed review of every site I found interesting you can see at my blog "Comparing MP3 downloading services"