Can someone please explain what is illegal re-downloads. I am confused!
Is it:
Just file sharing sites,
Distributing after downloading,
Or playing it to anyone other than yourself?

Copyright infringement occurs when:
You obtain a music file from a file sharing network OR you share your song on such a network.

Playing your music file on different types of devices that you own is currently hard to prosecute but they would lke to make it difficult for you to do.

Well, unless the music is specifically given away (like say an artist lets anyone download a song from their site, or a radio station promotion, etc) then the music is copyrighted.

Now, if you OWN the album/cd that the song is on, then you can legally download another copy as long as you are not distributing it... so if you download the song, and the share it... no good.

Other than that, its illegal to download, upload, share, etc.
Your safest bet is to purchase the songs off a service.

Also, if you play a song at a party or while you're with a friend in a car etc. my understanding is that this is not a violation of copyright. However, if you DJ a party or other commercial event or play it over the airways or the internet, you owe royalties to the owner of the music.

Basically, with entertainment media as with software, you don't buy the content, you buy a license to use that content under specific conditions.

That license generally gives you the right to use the content for personal use only.

If you download copyrighted material without paying, that's stealing. If you give a copy to a friend, that's piracy.

So, if I pay for a download (however cheaply) I can play the music to myself legally?

So, if I pay for a download (however cheaply) I can play the music to myself legally?

Not necessarily. Whoever you pay to has to be paying royalties to the owner of the copyright. They have to be legally entitled to sell the content.

Well, assuming that the place of purchase is legit...

Yes. Think of it as a CD with just one song on it. You can play that cd anywhere you like for free... you just can't be making money off doing it.