Legality of music video codes sites

[tama]

You see a lot of sites now that offer downloadable codes to be able to play music videos from your own site. The site offering the download does not host the videos, they are using asx files which point to the videos on Yahoo Music, Launch, etc. (likewise the downloadee never hosts the video either). Is the music video codes site liable for anything here? They are not selling the code. They are not hosting the video. Any thoughts on the subject are appreciated

[tama]

No one knows?

Just as an aside, the owner of a similar site recently claimed the record companies knew of him and what he did and had no problems with it, although he didn't have an agreement. I realize that doesn't make it legal. If anyone has any insight on this subject I'd really appreciate it.

[oliverkinne]

Personally I'd stear well clear of such "arrangements". If you don't have a licence yourself for the music or video you want to present on your site, or if the supplier of the media has no licence that allows them to distribute it to third parties, then it's most likely illegal and you could quite easily find yourself sued for breaking copyright.

Oliver.