Do not these sites know that what they are doing is wrong?
2007-03-17 06:49:27 · 21 answers · asked by ? 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
What I am gathering from the answers is that it is legal to possess such a tool because some may want to share legal home movies or some non-copyrighted material. But some maybe using it for illegal purposes.
2007-03-17 11:44:35 · update #1
Who's gonna stop them? That's why they made their sites.
2007-03-17 06:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
well limewire has a disclaimer and it is a paid service and they offer a lot of free stuff that basically is not illegal because they pay for it with subscriptions and i mean free is that they actually have the right to these files, not mp3 and ect that are mainstream. When you download limewire it will ask you if you will use if for illegal purposes. Naturally everyone answer no which is false but this gives them an argument in court as they are being sued, and thats why its not dead yet. no it although they know illegal activity is maybe happening over there servers they really can't do anything about ti its a peer to peer system meaning it searches other computer connected to the network and the user decides what to share.
2007-03-17 06:54:53 · answer #2 · answered by salem 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, that's what it all comes down to, isn't it?
First, these sites don't believe they are doing wrong. They will tell you that all they are doing is providing a forum for people to exchange things. Legal things. That's where it gets tricky. For example, simply because I have songs on my computer, and you have access to them through Limewire, if you never download them, does that make what either you or I did illegal? Limewire and the like excuse what they are doing saying that if YOU and I want to do something illegally, that's our problem, not theirs.
Why can I copy a song off the radio, THOUSANDS of people have copied songs off the radio, and I don't see the record executives getting all bent outta shape over that. The difference is, they have no idea WHO is recording things off the radio. They can't peep into your home. However, via your ISP address, they CAN identify at least who pays that ISP bill so now they feel the can charge you.
But again, does just going online to one of these sites qualify as committing a crime? What proof do they have that anyone actually downloaded anything from my computer or that I uploaded anything? ( they usually don't have a record of that!) This is just bullying on the music industry's part. Music sales are down in general because they are putting out alot of CRAP but they want to blame consumers instead of looking at themselves!
And will someone please tell me how they feel sueing and extorting money from their customers is going to make these people loyal customers? For all their lawsuits, I don't see any shortage of people going to Limewire and such sites.
2007-03-17 06:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Though kazaa, limewire and other downloading softwares may seem to be illegal as a whole or in some aspects. They are not direct violators of copyrights and anti-piracy law. These companies generates a lot of money worldwide buy selling their software and software updates and everything. . . And they will continue to do that unless a bill will be propose regarding this kind of violation. . .
I bet government will just sit there and do nothing about it coz they get something in return for doing nothing regarding this matter. That’s how politics work!
2007-03-17 07:57:19 · answer #4 · answered by silver8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grokster, and Kazaa are basically dead, if not already, and Limewire will probably soon go that way. They are able to claim that they are not intended for illegal purposes, they are a way for people to share files that are legal to share. Music from your own band, youtube like videos, ect. Most people use it for illegal purposes. They will eventually lose a case and can't afford to stay open, and someone else will come fill the void.
2007-03-17 06:55:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
None of the answers above seem to address the legal issues.
A photocopier can be used for illegal copying. A car can be used in drunk driving or speeding. A gun can be used in the commission of a crime. So can a baseball bat. A phone or computer can be used for people to commit fraud or conspiracy.
That doesn't make these things inherently illegal, because they have specific legal uses. If someone chooses to use them to break the law, then the person breaking the law is at fault.
This issue has been litigated over and over in court. The legal standard for copyright infringement is either making the illegal copy yourself, or advocating someone else doing so.
Building a computer or photocopier doesn't make you responsible for people using that device to make illegal copies, unless you either tell them to, or construct it with the intent that it be used that way.
Companies that were promoting illegal copying have been shut down. Companies that inform users not to make illegal copies, and that punish users that get caught making illegal copies, are no more at fault is than Ford Motor Cars is if someone chooses to speed or drive drunk in their car.
2007-03-17 07:31:18 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they have an idea that their software is being used illegally, however they still make money on their "Pro Versions" other than their free ones, thus don't really care. They get around the law by using a "Term Uuser Agreement". Which, while downloading limewire for example, you have to pick one of two ansers: 1)I will not use limewire for downloading illegal items. 2) I might use limewire for downloading illegal items. The later of the two locks you from their system.
2007-03-17 06:53:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
All have disclaimers that state you cannot use the site for copyright infringement. That is why lately the record labels have been going after the users rather than the facilitators. They happily turn over your info and IP address when asked. They keep getting advertising dollars and the user pays if caught. Grokster, a new one on me - need to check it out.
2007-03-17 07:31:39 · answer #8 · answered by dude0795 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The government does not see these programs as illegal. It's what you do with the program that makes it illegal. It's almost entrapment in a way. The way I see it if I buy something I should be able to do with it as I please including share it, give it away, sell it or, modify it. Government always sides with the big money makers because they pay most of the income tax. What they fail to realize is allowing people to download free music has actually helped boost sales of albums. Half of America would be in jail if the government had the resources to convict everyone who has downloaded something illegal.
http://lessgov2007.blogspot.com/index.html
2007-03-17 06:56:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yea exactly what the top guy said. "Cause they usually earn money enough to pay the legal bills by their regular service, which works something like Itunes" No one really can sue them except for the bands, but im sure that the bands dont mind to much, they are already rich enough if there that popular for people to search them on limewire.
2007-03-17 06:54:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
thay arnt illegal to use alsong as your not donwload copyright material, but nobody gives a s**t anymore. like 80% of all traffic on the internet is from illegal activites but it would take them like a year to analysis one days activies so they will only take down the big players not the users =D
2007-03-17 06:56:13 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋