2007-03-11 05:53:32 · 11 answers · asked by Dee 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Check out this LimeWire review!
2007-03-11 06:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Technically the act of using Limewire/Kazaa/Morpheus or any other P2P file sharing system IS PERFECTLY LEGAL. However, the act of sharing copyrighted music is what the authorities will prosecute for, as you are allowing other users to download something which they should pay for, for free.
The act of downloading music which is being shared by other users, is illegal, however the authorities will prosecute those who are sharing a "significant amount of music" - like drugs they will go after the DEALERS not the USERS.
2007-03-11 13:03:04 · answer #2 · answered by G 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes..
The content does not belong to you and does not have the authors permission to be downloaded. Also don't think you won't be caught either. Limewire is illegal and will remain open for a very limited time to come.
2007-03-11 12:57:16 · answer #3 · answered by Chεεrs [uk] 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If the songs are under copyright and you're not paying for them then yes, it is illegal. It's a violation of copyright law, punishable by a fine of $750.00 - $150,000.00 per song you download or share (see http://www.chillingeffects.org/piracy/faq.cgi for details). The RIAA has filed lawsuits against over 20,000 people so far for downloading and sharing files. For details on how this works, see http://info.riaalawsuits.us/howriaa.htm . Obviously none of them can afford to pay even the minimum fine, so they usually settle for around $10,000.00 although some have paid more. For one example, see http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-5991531.html (also see http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/03/08/record_firms_crack_down_on_campuses/). Limewire itself was sued for allowing its users to commit copyright infriingement on a massive scale. The case goes to court this year, and based upon legal precedent Limewire is expected to lose and pay hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. There's an article on this at http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3625091
Setting aside the legal issues, there are also ethical issues. Depite the fact that people like Britney Spears are outrageously rich, most musicians are not. Most are barely scraping by. Lots of musicians work jobs to support themselves and pay their bills. When you buy their CD or download their music legally, they get paid. They don't get paid much per sale or download, but they do get paid and the money adds up. It can mean the difference between working full time and working part time, or it can give them the means to be a full time musician. When you download from Limewire, they don't get paid. You are stealing that money from them by taking their music and not paying for it. If they don't get paid, that means they have to have another way to pay the bills, which means they are more likely to give up, or to take two years to release the next CD (which will be stolen) instead of one year. Also, record companies use sales in the same way TV networks use ratings. Sales determine if an artist gets funded to make another record, or if their contract gets terminated. Sales also help them to decide how much money to spend on an artist. When you steal the music by downloading it illegally, it hurts the musician's chances of getting more money from the record company and can also help to end his or her career. In short, by stealing music from musicians you love, you're helping to destroy them.
2007-03-11 15:43:19 · answer #4 · answered by Rose D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, yes.
Limewire is nothing special as far as the law is concerned. It all comes down to copying the music.
Some music is covered by copyright but under a license that allows it to be redistributed (such as those found at http://creativecommons.org/ ) and it isn't illegal to copy it.
Some music is released into the public domain and is not covered by copyright and again, it is legal to copy it.
Most music, however, IS covered by copyright and not licensed for redistribution, so to download it is against the law.
(However, while it is illegal, it is not theft since nothing is being taken away from the owner.)
2007-03-11 12:57:18 · answer #5 · answered by David D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well everyone knows about limewire of course...and they get out of stealing music because you are getting your music files from other peoples computers and thus sharing so if it was way illegal there'd be millions of people in jail
2007-03-11 14:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by Christina U 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes
and contrary to the last guys statement RIAA does go after end user, as they nuke and tag mp3 files which then are traced back to the ISP
which is why limewire sucks ( that and people tend to upload virus on that network )
your better off with bitcomet ( torrents ) or usenet ( newsgroups )
2007-03-11 13:09:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are downloading songs without paying royalties to the artists then the answer is yes.
2007-03-11 12:58:30 · answer #8 · answered by Tom D 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Technically, yes. Block sharing ur files and maybe you won't get caught. But, there are always viruses out there, so I wouldn't make a habit of it.
2007-03-11 13:00:08 · answer #9 · answered by Melanie S 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think that it gets illegal when you start sharing it and letting other people download it...
2007-03-11 12:59:38 · answer #10 · answered by loader2112 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋