2006-11-09 12:40:32 · 13 answers · asked by hazeallday 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Both downloading and sharing items with programs like limewire are illegal. You are also not permitted to copy songs on disks and hand out to friends. This is US law.
Downloading songs and other items from limewire IS NOT SAFE. People have paid me hundreds of dollars to clean their computers of viruses and malware. This software opens up your computer to an internet-wide network, and you can easily download infected items.
I somewhat suspect that infections can happen even without downloads for programs of this type.
2006-11-09 12:53:34 · answer #1 · answered by svancouw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a 'can of worms' that's been through the blender on 'frappe' since the whole Metallica/Napster mishmash years ago. Technically, it *IS* illegal if you do not posess a 'legally-acquired' copy. I.E. - If you have an old worn-out LP, it is perfectly legal for you to download and copy MP3s from that particular album.
Funny how they didn't have any problems with us 'oldsters' taping songs off the radio and passing out 'mix tapes' to our friends. A lot of albums I own (and bands I enjoy) I only discovered due to a friend giving me a mix tape.
A great many studio bigwigs are rethinking their prior stance on "internet piracy" due to the fact that CD and DVD sales have actually INCREASED significantly, primarily due to file sharing via 'illegal mediums' such as KaZaA and BitTorrent. In fact, Fox execs initially panicked when the Family Guy movie leaked to the net several months prior to the DVD release, but were astounded to discover that initial sales were close to double what they had anticipated (wish I could remember the URL to that article... Alas, the liabilities of recovery from a major crash.)
With a 30-second spot during the SuperBowl costing 8 figures (or more), why any company in the world would get in an uproar over free advertising is beyond me. Many major studios now offer free (or nearly-free) downloads of their own shows and movies because they're finally coming to realize just how wrong they were about the whole issue. As with the 'book burnings' of old, the more you try to suppress the exchange of ideas the more you strengthen it.
Short form of the above:
Currently, yes, it is illegal. Though it shouldn't be, and likely won't remain illegal for long. After all, even Prohibition only lasted a few years.
2006-11-09 13:04:19 · answer #2 · answered by twylafox 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Downloading them is safe and 100 percent safe but sharing them is illegal. I download songs all the time on Limewire and I have never had to pay for a song one. But I do not share them with others cause that is called file sharing which is illegal.
2006-11-09 12:45:09 · answer #3 · answered by always_trust_in_jesus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes downloading and sharing are both illegal now if you are downloading or sharing COPYRIGHT PROTECTED music. You can purchase music legally from quite a few websites now. Just be careful, they can come get you if they want to. (the recording industry, the EVIL bastards they are). I grew up with sharing cassette tapes and record players disc and I do not see what the real difference is now. I think if I LEGALLY PURCHASE a music CD I should have the right to do with it ANYTHING I WANT. Have fun and be safe. Just
FYI, I used ot use Kazaa for that. and now I actually set up my kids computer to not alow them to download so I do not get busted if they try to access limewire and such.
2006-11-09 12:55:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you really asking which is punishable by law?
if thats youre true question then you can download whatever you want from anyone you want -- because in a court of law you could put up arguement what why you were trying to download this or that. that moves into a grey area.
But if youre caught SHARING files that are copywritten, then you can be punished for copyright infringement.
so download away -- but dont share.
You will be what P2P programs call a "leech" but at least you wont do any time for it
2006-11-09 12:57:05 · answer #5 · answered by writersbIock2006 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LimeWire itself isn't unlawful, yet once you utilize it to acquire copyrighted data for unfastened (this is composed of track, photos, video clips or maybe records) which you're effectively stealing from the proprietors and that's illegitimate. it is in spite of in spite of u . s . a . you're in; the regulation is the comparable throughout. in case you share issues that have a licence on LimeWire than it particularly is advantageous, with the aid of fact the owner has given you permission to acquire the report. or you're doing something unlawful. it remains unlawful in case you're making use of the pro version of LimeWire. not one of the artists/copyright holders get any of that money, purely the LimeWire employer. wish that clears issues up.
2016-10-03 11:34:56 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it's copyright infringement that's illegal. You can download and share as many songs as you like, as long as you have the right to do so under US law.
2006-11-09 12:48:02 · answer #7 · answered by geek_dreams 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a question about that once so i email limewire and they said that it was legal because your share the file from other people so far i have it for a few months an every thing is okay i hope this answer helps you
2006-11-09 12:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by bad apple 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both downloading and sharing are illegal.
2006-11-09 12:42:29 · answer #9 · answered by jetkidz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the item is COPYRIGHTED by the LAW then it is illegal. and limewire has viruses so if you already installed it say goodbye to your computer :)
2006-11-09 12:54:51 · answer #10 · answered by lohanaddict 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋