Tell me which of the folowing is legal and illegal and what will happen and how you get caught ect. i just want full detail. Having File sharing programs,Using file sharing programs,Downloading Music ect.
2006-12-25 15:57:07 · 12 answers · asked by cashfan28 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There is absolutely nothing wrong legally with having a file sharing program. Somebody wrote the software, and allows you to use it according to tehir license terms, either for a fee or not, and so long as you agree with their license terms and use the software accordingly, there is nothing wrong with that.
As for using file sharing programs, that depends on what you use them for. If you use them to download any material which has an explicit copyright or trademark on the content and you do not already have the right to such material, then you could be potentially liable for damages for being in possession of materials which were not paid for, i.e., stolen tangible or intellectual property. Somebody went through the work of creating the content, and they deserve to be paid for their efforts. A file sharing program makes it much easier for people to not pay for the time and effort that others have contributed to producing a product, but that doesn't give people the right to steal.
As for downloading music, there are now a wide variety of legal avenues from which one can download music. So long as the producer and artist of the music get paid for their efforts through these avenues, there is nothing illegal about using them. If you don't pay for it, though, you probably are not getting a legal copy. I say "probably" because some artists have released material of their own for the specific purpose of helping them to build a fan base. Its there choice to release whatever material they want however they choose to do so, but if they intended to charge a fee for their work, and you acquired their work without paying that fee, then it is stealing and therefore illegal.
2006-12-25 16:10:55 · answer #1 · answered by G A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
having and using file sharing programs are not illegal ...
copying and sharing copyrighted material is where one gets into trouble.
most people get caught when they
a) are REALLY piggy and their ISP notices massive downloads.
b) they are REALLY piggy and access some "honeypot" site that entraps people.
c) they start selling or massivly giving away tons of free movies or music.
d) they have too many friends.
most of the recent time it was either massive downloading or honeypot sites.
with the downloading, most of the time the isp just wants their bandwidth back.
some people who were selling illegal movies went to jail for years and had a million dollar fine.
Inbetween there was a story of a few years back where the DRM people threatened lots of parents and soaked several of them for thosands of dollars .. but that did not seem legal either.
googling will tell you more. (or yahooing for that matter)
others might know more specifics.
more and more there are free music sites .. and also sites that will sell music/movies/shows.
good luck.
ps
what few legally free music that I got from a free music site was well .. really bad. but it was free.
2006-12-26 00:13:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having file sharing programs-legal
Using file sharing programs-legal
Downloading files-legal
Uploading files-ILLEGAL
2006-12-25 23:59:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
reproducing any copywrited media ( music, movies, books, ect... ) with out permission is ILLEGAL! The only way you can use file sharing legally is if you are getting uncopywrited media, like a new artist giving his music out for free or if your are paying for downloads.
fines-- http://www.musicunited.org/2_thelaw.html
2006-12-26 00:03:45 · answer #4 · answered by incognito 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
File sharing and music downloading is not illegal if it is only for personal use and not in commercial value.
2006-12-25 23:59:57 · answer #5 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
legal is when you go buy some CDS from Music shop (which means its not against the law) Illegal is when you download music off an program such Imish, kazaa , limewire ect.
2006-12-25 23:59:26 · answer #6 · answered by Mate2004 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everything you mentioned are legal by themselves. It becomes illegal when you share and trade any type copyrighted material.
2006-12-25 23:59:09 · answer #7 · answered by Sammy Da Bull 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It illegal to download to your computer copywrighted material either for personal use or selling. You can own the program and use it, just not the third. Touch, taste but don't swallow :)
2006-12-25 23:59:33 · answer #8 · answered by shadycaliber 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ok legal means you were born in the us and illegal means that you were born in any other country and that you didnt come by plane or car .when you get caught i dont really know
2006-12-26 00:00:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a lot of folks that are downloading like madmen off of sites like Limewire are probably going to be in serious trouble one day. Your day is coming.
2006-12-25 23:59:33 · answer #10 · answered by I hate friggin' crybabies 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋