"MP3"

MP3 is shorthand for MPEG Layer 3 the Motion Picture Expert Group's latest audio file compression standard. MP3 is a file format which stores audio files on a computer in such a way that the file size is relatively small, but the song sounds near perfect.

"Ripping"

Ripping a track is a process in which a person using their computer and specific software encodes a song or track from a compact disc into MP3 format.

"Upload"

Upload or "post" is the process in which a person using a computer takes an MP3 encoded digital recording and makes it available to others on the World Wide Web.

"Download"

Download is the process in which a person using a computer receives a copy of an MP3 encoded digital recording from a website on the World Wide Web.

"RIAA"

The Recording Industry Association of America.

"AHRA"

The Audio Home Recording Act of 1992. The purpose of the act was to protect consumers form copyright infringement liability for taping "copyrighted material for their own noncommercial, private use and to provide protection for copyright owners from loss of profits do to this copying."

"DAR"

Digital Audio Recording.

"SCMS"

A "serial copy management system" is technology that allows unlimted first generation copies to be made from the origianl but prevents recording a copy from a copy.