"There is also nothing illegal about downloading music off the internet for free, for your own use."
Strictly speaking, no. However, I'm assuming you mean "There is nothing illegal about downloading music which the artists haven't released as free to download", which is just straight out wrong.
You can go read the appropriate law at:
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Uk ... htm#mdiv16
Specifically:
"The owner of the copyright in a work has, in accordance with the following provisions of this Chapter, the exclusive right to do the following acts in the United Kingdom—
to copy the work (see section 17)"
"Copyright in a work is infringed by a person who without the licence of the copyright owner does, or authorises another to do, any of the acts restricted by the copyright."
Marvel at the lack of "It's okay if it's only for yourself" or "It's okay if you delete it within 24 hours" clauses. Both are nothing more than rumours...