Yes, MP3 is simply a file format. However, it can be used either legally or illegally. Using an MP3 is legal if the song's copyright holder has granted permission to download and play the song. Also, it is legal to make copies from CDs for personal use. However, it is illegal to encode MP3s from CDs and trade them without permission from the copyright holder. 

© copyright by Cat Bytes; Magazine produced by online students of the journalism department, California State University, Chico. Page maintained by Dr. Glen Bleske.