2007-02-10 04:58:06 · 6 answers · asked by BLONDI 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
As stated elsewhere, the program is not illegal. Downloading/copying files which are protected by copyright, without the owner's permission, is illegal. You just have to be knowledgeable and careful about which files you choose to download.
2007-02-10 05:07:49 · answer #1 · answered by Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, the program itself is legal. However, the moment you use it to download anything covered by copyright that you don't pay for, you're guilty of a crime. The RIAA has filed a lawsuit against Limewire because it allows its customers to break copyright law - they have done the same against similar file-sharing programs and won every case so far. They have also filed lawsuits against nearly 20,000 people so far for illegally downloading and sharing. Since the fine is anywhere between $750.00 and $150,000.00 per song, and most people can't afford to pay millions of dollars in fines, they generally settle for about $10,000.00 although some have paid more and others have paid less.
In addition to the legal issues, there's also the safety issue. Many files on Limewire are infected with viruses. It makes a great place for hackers to distribute their nasties, because you can't turn them in without admitting that you were committing a crime yourself.
You can read up on the legal issues regarding file sharing and the RIAA lawsuits at the following links:
http://mp3.about.com/od/isitlegal/a/riaalawsuits.htm
http://info.riaalawsuits.us/howriaa.htm
http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/lawsuitFAQ.asp
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7152.cfm
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,61454,00.html
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/31561.html
2007-02-10 18:35:52 · answer #2 · answered by Rose D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LimeWire itself isn't illegal, but downloading copyrighted work (like music and videos) is very much illegal. A lot of people do use it yes, but that doesn't change the fact that it's violating copyright laws.
2007-02-10 13:02:59 · answer #3 · answered by Bamba 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Limewire as a programme is not illegal.
However downloading the content supplied by Limewire is. Hence every download you make breaks the law.
However it is not illegal to simple use (view) and upload your own files.
Note is also possible for law enforcements to track downloads.
2007-02-10 13:01:45 · answer #4 · answered by Chεεrs [uk] 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES...It is.
My Dear Friend,
First of all, Limewire is Hard Spyware. It will demolish your entire computer system and throw all your personal information on share...I request you NOT TO USE LIMEWIRE AT ALL.
Better to use Bit-torrent software or more better buy a affordable CD/DVD.
Take care of your computer more...It will take care of you in coming days.
Expecting Success...Always.
Ali
Rx- Ideas.
2007-02-11 01:32:59 · answer #5 · answered by IdeaAdvisor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lime Wire uses a search engine that searches other Ppls computers for the things u want to search and it downloads them for u so i think its illegal but u could go to lime wire options and set ur filter to accept only files with lime wire copy wrights
this make lime wire only able to download files from Ppl that have shared these files.
2007-02-10 13:03:52 · answer #6 · answered by Venom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋