Is limewire illegal, and if it is is the PRO edition also illegal?
2007-02-17 10:27:20 · 9 answers · asked by Zachary D. 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Limewire is currently being sued by the RIAA for allowing members to download copyrighted material, which is illegal. Since Limewire doesn't have any sort of filtering in place, then it's essentially an accessory to the crime. The case will begin in May 2007, I believe. You can more at http://www.wired.com/news/wireservice/0,71545-0.html?tw=wn_culture_music_5
Using any piece of software, no matter what it is, to trade files that are not under copyright is legal. Using the same piece of software to trade content the is covered by copyright, without paying for it, without the express permission of the copyright holder, is a violation of international law. The RIAA has filed lawsuits against around 20,000 people for trading music illegally. The fine is from $750.00 - $150,000.00 per song, but since most people being sued have thousands of songs on their hard drives and even Bill Gates couldn't afford to pay the fine, the RIAA usually settles the case for around $10,000.00. Some have paid lower fines (like a 12 year old girl was only fined $2000.00), but some pay more, like a woman who was recently fined $20,000.00 after she tried fighting the charges in court.
More info can be found at the following links:
http://mp3.about.com/od/isitlegal/a/riaalawsuits.htm
http://info.riaalawsuits.us/howriaa.htm
http://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/Parent_Liability_Nov_2005.pdf
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/08/28/tech/main570507.shtml
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/7152.cfm
http://www.chillingeffects.org/piracy/faq.cgi
2007-02-17 12:07:54 · answer #1 · answered by Rose D 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Limewire isn't illegal, but what you download with it may be. It depends on where you are from and the laws in your country.
2007-02-17 18:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by Jared 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but you can do illegal things with it. Take your car, for example. You can drive the car legally, but you can also hit peds and go on a rampage. Same vehicle, used differently. Same for limewire.
2007-02-17 18:30:36 · answer #3 · answered by treseuropean 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The software isn't illegal - it is the content shared on it that is often illegal. There are many files shared on it that are perfectly legal but others misuse the software for example and share copyrighted music files. Both the Basic and Pro are legal.
2007-02-17 18:30:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong with limewire charging £15.00 for a 10p c.d with a 15p case and cover seems a little extreme.
Whilst I would nt dream of it if you use a router and a laptop its better apparently/possibly/probably could be true
2007-02-17 18:32:10 · answer #5 · answered by froggerty 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I use limewire all the time and if it was so popular then it probly isnt illegal
2007-02-17 19:21:40 · answer #6 · answered by Badtink95 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The program isn't illegal, the files people put on it are illegal.
2007-02-17 18:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by dustinh456 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since when is sharing illegal.
2007-02-17 18:36:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, yes
2007-02-17 18:30:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋