It's just i has limewire for about a year i have like 50 songs on it and im still scared if it's legal or not.
2007-02-14 03:52:28 · 17 answers · asked by Da truth 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Yes, it's illegal. It doesn't matter if you're only downloading or if you're downloading and sharing, it's still illegal. The RIAA has sued almost 20,000 people for illegally swapping music. Under the law, the fine is $750.00 - $150,000.00 per song. In your case, since you say you have 50 songs, that would mean you'd be facing a fine of $37,500.00 - 7,500,000.00. Since nobody actually has that kind of money, the RIAA usually settles for around $10,000.00 (although some people have had to pay higher fines). As some have said, the odds of you getting caught are very slim. On the other hand, somebody has to be the loser when it comes to the lawsuits.
Here are some articles on the subject that might help you to understand both the issues and the consequences involved:
http://mp3.about.com/od/isitlegal/a/riaalawsuits.htm
http://info.riaalawsuits.us/howriaa.htm
http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/lawsuitFAQ.asp
http://pcworld.about.com/news/Sep082003id112364.htm
http://pediatrics.about.com/b/a/025279.htm
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,118028-page,1/article.html
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7152.cfm
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/09/09/music.swap.settlement/
http://www.slyck.com/story1258.html
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html
http://www.chillingeffects.org/piracy/faq.cgi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_infringement
2007-02-14 06:02:39 · answer #1 · answered by Rose D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not legal. I support downloading and file sharing! I use Limewire everyday. I still buy a lot of cd's. Sometimes I want the album, sometimes I want just one song. Keep downloading and sharing alive people!
2007-02-14 03:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Not legal. Not getting caught doesn't change the legality. I wouldn't trust anyone that tells you that you can't get caught. Downloads can be traced back to the IP address from which it originated.
2016-03-29 06:15:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its Not Legal but who cares. there is like a 1 in a billion chance of getting caught.
2007-02-14 03:57:25 · answer #4 · answered by shawn98_25239 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it's legal to share files in limewire
2007-02-14 03:56:43 · answer #5 · answered by teh c 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Some people say it is some people say it isn't but I've been doing it for years and have downloaded over one-thousand songs and nothing has happened to me. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
2007-02-14 03:58:51 · answer #6 · answered by x0xjeaninemaex0x 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
its basically considered piracy.. but it depends where you actually live. like here in my country, the philippines, piracy is everywhere.. nobody cares if i downloadfiles from limewire. but in the states, i think you'll get penalty if you get caught.
2007-02-14 03:56:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, not legal, but chances are you won't ever be caught since millions of people do it...probably have a better chance of winning the lottery.
2007-02-14 03:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by Greg S 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Of course it's illegal. You got it for free while others had to pay for it. If you're scared, just unshare the shared folder.
2007-02-14 04:03:11 · answer #9 · answered by Speedjak 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you own a CD with the songs on it, then it is not illegal. Or if the song is in public domain it is not illegal. If you do not own an original hard copy of the song, that is illegal.
2007-02-14 03:55:45 · answer #10 · answered by Yoi_55 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋