Is limewire illegal?

Answer 1

ALRIGHTY.

The program itself is DEFINITELY not illegal. However, much like in real life, if you use/take/steal something that you didn't pay for, most likely, you have broken the law.

There are MANY other programs better than Limewire with less viruses, but what it gets down to is morals and limitations.

Morals: An artist has struggled for so long to become a success, and when you download, you are part of a majority which downloads as well, which may in turn, destory the music business. How bad do you want the song that's stuck in your head?

Also, as for movies (These can be very dangerous to download) you really are crossing a moral line. I am writing a book, and I have to say, I would literally kill to keep it in my name. If I found out that someone was getting money, from stealing MY work, I would do everything in and out of my power to prevent it. And, applying to movies, that is just the screenwriting portion. Take into account the actors, the directors, the set designers...etc...

Also, movies sometimes are put on government IP addresses, just for the fact to catch someone who needed to watch The Godfather Part II in its entirety. This is incredibly rare, but you never know.

As for pictures, there isn't much wrong with downloading them, unless they are part of an Artist's collection or something, and its obvious to tell. BUT DON'T DOWNLOAD THEM.

ANY file on Limewire that's below 1.0MB, should DEFINITELY be avoided at all costs. Even though JPEGs normally are anywhere from 25KB-600KB, that's just about the size of a virus as well. This goes for all kinds of files. Yes, you can also get a virus just by playing an audio file.

Limitation-wise: Don't use in excess. Downloading 100 files within two days is not only risky, its bound to attract SOME sort of attention. I dunno, just makes sense.

SECURITY:

Your IP address is available to be seen by ANYONE when you download a file, because you are downloading it into what is known as the "Shared Folder". And, if you right click on any file on Limewire, it will allow you to browse that file's original local (IP Address). When you are downloading, and when that file is finished downloading, it is put in a shared folder as well, for the rest of the world to download.

If you do decide to download something, be sure to move it to another folder when finished, and save it somewhere, or get it off your computer entirely if you feel that paranoid. The point is get it off your Shared Folder.

Now, I'm going to submit this and add more in a few minutes.

Okay, I'm going to make a guided-step-by-step tutorial for use of Limewire, if you will be able to wait a little.

12-Picture Tutorial Time!!!

Covers: How to "use" Limewire Safely...sort of. And the risks, and what it SHOULD be used for, and alternatives.

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/?sc=3 (Start with 1/12, then work your way through the 12 pictures that deal with Limewire. The pics are all LWTutorial##, labeled as ##/12)

In case that doesn't work, here is a list of all 12 pics:
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial1.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial2.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial3.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial4.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial5.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial6.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial7.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial8.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial9.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial10.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial11.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/comicmasterajd/LWTutorial12.jpg

Why should you not download illegally? Because if anything, you should SUPPORT your favorite artists! That's why.

This has been a vma_corleone presentation.

Answer 2

I am not very sure but I think that Limewire is NOT illegal but the stuff you download FROM limewire might be. For example, copyrighted files, like most music and video files are illegal to download. Other stuff you can download there like pictures and programs shouldn't be.

I have tried it before and I may have downloaded some minor viruses and stuff... so it could be the same for you. If you want to brave it, good luck but I do not encourage it... we need to help keep those musicians employed you know...

I say, stick to iTunes just so you can be sure that all you download is clean and legal (heck, if you asked about this, you might be a very moral person).

Answer 3

Theoretically, Yes. The songs there are copyrighted therefor making it illegal to download them without a fee. Limewire gets away with it because it is a share program. You must share at least one file on your PC with the public to participate. This makes it like borrowing a cd from your neighbor or allowing your neighbor to borrow a cd from you. However, it is actually illegal to copy a cd/tape an album/or copy a cassette since the artist gets no money for the use of their material but since it is done in such mass it is hard to control. Basically it all falls down to a moral issue, whether or not you as an individual believes it is stealing. It also makes your PC more susceptible to spyware and viruses. I deleted the program from my PC, ran a spyware check and a virus check, and I have much less problems now

Answer 4

Limewire the programme isn't illegal. It allows you to share files with other users. What IS illegal is using it to share copywritten material such as published music, film and pictures.

Now granted, that's pretty much what 80% of people use it for - they get around it by not hosting the files themselves. Limewire just sets up a link between the file on one PC, and a space on yours, and copies it. The servers themselves don't hold any copywritten info, and thus get around the whole "legal" issue.

Answer 5

No its not illegal. Limewire is only a program who help people to share files. But, it's illegal to break, copy, share copyrighted material such as musics or movies... That's the difference!

Answer 6

I dont think limewire is illegal, but downloading the copyrighted songs are.

Answer 7

since it is file sharing, not music downloading, it is legal. But downloading the copyrighted songs are, but it is rare that u will get caught. but it is easy to download viruses. my computer domnloaded a virus from lime wire. You are connecting to other peoples computers. and watvr vireses they hav, u wil get. it caused my keyboard to get messed up. lik, if i pressed T, it would put a D. if i put a number, it would put a letter.

Answer 8

Downloading copyrighted material is illegal, yes.

Answer 9

i honestly don't think so, i admit i have the limewire pro on my stuff

Answer 10

The law on it is weird, it is legal to download it and posess it, however it is illegal to use the program.