The issue on my mind today is copyright infringement. The lives of musicians and dancers are inextricably bound to the rules of the music industry - not necessarily in a bad way, because performing rights organizations are responsible for making sure artists get paid for their work. But sometimes it can be difficult for us to wrap our "creative minds" around so many laws and regulations, and we can end up in hot water if we don't go through the proper procedures.
 
I have known belly dance instructors in the past who have copied class CDs for their students to practice with, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. To some, this is harmless and even necessary to ensure students do their "homework."  To me: you are stealing.  When you take another person's work, make a copy of it, and give it away to others --- you have just stolen money from that artists.  And if you sold it, even for the "cost" of the CD you burned the music to ---- Oh boy!  You are playing with some bad karma on that one.
 
Don't believe me? Reading the news at little while back, I joined the millions of people shocked by the latest CD piracy debacle. Apparently, a federal appeals court in the USA is ordering a university student to pay the Recording Industry Association of America $27,750 — $750 a track — for file sharing 37 songs when she was a high school cheerleader. When that stuff starts going down, people really take notice!
 
For some, it is a very confusing issue.  What about laws in Turkey, Egypt or Germany??? Are they really that much different from the USA, Canada or Argentina?  Honestly, I do not understand what the confusion is about.  My bottom line:  You want the music? Buy it!
 
Are you really going to whine about it?  Do you really think you are doing your students a favor by giving away the music to them?  What about our musicians?   If you want to do favors, do a little homework and give students the resources to buy the music.  Perhaps take it a step further and contact the distributor.  Who knows, you may be able to get a package deal if you buy a group order.  And of course, there is the digital download options sometimes too.  Note I did NOT say file sharing!
 
Most people who get busted for piracy aren't even aware of the laws surrounding sharing music. But, as you know - ignorance of the law is not a defense.  And frankly, whether you can quote copyright laws or not, all you have to do is think.