body: There are several web sites out there that sell MP3 music files for 10 cents each and FLAC music files for 30 cents each. At least one site even sells Hollywood movies (AVI, MKV) from $0.99 (low quality) to $2.99 (1080p). Most of these web sites seem to be based in Ukraine, and they all have FAQs that claim that they are legal. Here are a few examples:
  
  
  From [mp3va.com](http://www.mp3va.com/help#q7_0):
  
  
  
  > 
  > Q: Is your web site legal?
  > 
  > 
  > A: Yes, the activity of Mp3va.com is carried out according to the legislation of the license # IT - 07/13 No IT - 07 - 1/13 of the Ukrainian Public Organization "Avtor" issued for Beowner Ltd. Service www.Mp3va.com pays full-scale author's royalties to owners of pieces of music, trademarks, names, slogans and other copyright objects used on the site. Any further distribution, resale or broadcasting is prohibited.
  > 
  > 
  > Q: If your web site is legal, how can you sell music for $0.15/track compared to iTunes $0.99/track?
  > 
  > 
  > A: Our company and licensing authority is located outside U.S. area and we do not have to follow $0.99/track minimum regulations.
  > 
  > 
  > 
  
  
  From [melodishop.com](http://melodishop.com/info/help#q71):
  
  
  
  > 
  > Q: Is your web site legal?
  > 
  > 
  > A: Yes, the activity of MelodiShop.com is carried out according to the legislation of the license agreement # I-003/11 from June, 14 2011 of the State Enterprise "Ukrainian Agency of Copyright and Related Rights" (UACRR). Service www.MelodiShop.com pays full-scale author's royalties to owners of pieces of music, trademarks, names, slogans and other copyright objects used on the site. Any further distribution, resale or broadcasting is prohibited.
  > 
  > 
  > Q: If your web site is legal, why your prices are so low?
  > 
  > 
  > A: Our company and licensing authority is located outside of USA and we do not have to follow any minimum regulations of other countries. 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  
  
  From [mp3million.com](http://www.mp3million.com/help#q71):
  
  
  
  > 
  > Q: Is your web site legal?
  > 
  > 
  > A: Yes, the activity of Mp3million.com is carried out according to the legislation of the license agreement # 67/17M-10 of the Rightholders Federation for Collective Copyright Management of Works Used Interactively (NP "FAIR"). Service www.Mp3million.com pays full-scale author's royalties to owners of pieces of music, trademarks, names, slogans and other copyright objects used on the site. Any further distribution, resale or broadcasting is prohibited. 
  > 
  > 
  > Q: If your web site is legal, why your prices are so low?
  > 
  > 
  > A: Our Company is registered outside US area to minimize the taxation. Also, we can offer such low prices due to guaranteed bulk purchases (minimum deposit on our web site is 15 USD). 
  > 
  > 
  > 
  
  
  So is it legal for an American to purchase music/movies from those sites?
  
  
  
title: Is it legal for Americans to buy music/movies from those really cheap web sites based in Ukraine?