I have joined a few internet forums recently. I saw that some of the software which are available in market at a great price are offered by some members through their rapidshare or other such links for free download. Since it includes some software which I was looking for but could not afford, tell me if downloading such softwares and using them is legal or not? Please help?
2007-01-19 22:33:12 · 12 answers · asked by Wave K 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Not at all. Otherwise, why should they sell it at a great price in market as you said. Though the rapidshare and other companies are allowing sharing but if you go through the terms & conditions of rapidshare or any other file sharing service they clearly indicates that sharing of copyrighted material and other such things against the policies of the manufacturing company etc. is not allowed. So, certainly it is not legal. However, many of the people are downloading and sharing softwares in such manner. Now, it is only upto you to decide whether you want to use it legally by purchasing it or illegally through these methods. However, you may also like to search for these software where they are available for download legally as "trial version" with some versions and shareware for a few days.
2007-01-19 22:46:06 · answer #1 · answered by Tarun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably illegal and that kind of software may contain viruses or spyware, so it isn't very safe either. Also, it depends on the software. If it is freeware or open source etc., it probably can be downloaded from many freeware web sites, so if you are not sure if software is legal to use for free, try searching for its name and if many sites mention it is freeware, then it's probably legal to use.
2007-01-19 23:15:33 · answer #2 · answered by tomihasa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe this is illegal. It seems like it is the same as going through software programs and downloading these from members for free. I would do so, but only at your own risk.
2007-01-19 22:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by **systematic_girl** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, no. That's called file sharing, and software manufacturers don't like that. If it has a price and it's being offered for free, it's often illegal (unless it's the creators themselves offering them for free).
2007-01-19 22:38:10 · answer #4 · answered by Ivan P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most are illegal, but you'll find that the downloads you actually successfully get aren't worth the trouble anyhow. Go to: www.download.com and get a bunch of legal ones. Ron
2007-01-19 22:46:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch Free Movies Online
2016-05-24 00:15:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there r 3 terms associated
1.freeware-these can be used without paying anything
2.shareware-they can be used 4 sometime but after u need to purchase it
3.payware-these r not free & u got to buy it
some sites/forums provide freewares only so they not illegal
but file sharing is illegal even if it is a freeware.
2007-01-19 22:44:51 · answer #7 · answered by its easy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please BE CAREFUL. I'm not saying that all of these sites do this, but MANY of them hide Spyware and other baddies in their downloads. Their "free" software is only used as bait.
2007-01-19 22:45:14 · answer #8 · answered by Acadia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is not legal, but if you did now one will know that
2007-01-19 22:37:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are called "WAREZ" softwares/games for free.
They are illegal however downloading depends on you..
2007-01-19 22:41:01 · answer #10 · answered by Atif 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋