Some people say it is legal, some say it isn't. Confusing! Does anyone know for sure for sure?
2007-06-12 12:50:05 · 17 answers · asked by DD 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Almost all of my friends use it...
2007-06-12 12:55:34 · update #1
I'm sortove asking another question here but if it is illegal, how do they "track you down". Literally 2 million kids use this program!!
2007-06-12 13:36:17 · update #2
Limewire - the software program - is legal.
It's the files you download hon. If you're downloading copyrighted material, it's illegal - period. Current songs you don't pay for, books, software, etc.
If you're downloading non-copyrighted material, it's legal.
2007-06-12 12:53:12 · answer #1 · answered by pepper 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
there is absolutely nothing illegal about the program itself, as its nothing but a file sharing program. you can share files through emails and thats not an illegal act! you can use any file sharer (eg using a private hub in dc++) to share files from your job and talk to fellow workers for example, to keep you up to date. thats not illegal! its what you use it for that can be illegal. unfortunately for the makers of any file sharing program that shares on a large scale, the majority of shared files will always be files that you are supposed to pay for, making most of the people that use it, be illegally downloading. but the program remains legal! some companies have tried to sue limewire saying the program is doing wrong, but this is ridiculous- if someone murders you with a knife, we dont ban all knives!! ok downloading is hardly murder, but you get the idea... lol
from the wikipedia:
According to a June 28, 2005, report in The New York Times, Lime Wire LLC was considering ceasing distributing LimeWire due to the outcome of MGM v. Grokster. On September 25, 2005, it was reported that Lime Wire LLC was working on a version of the program which will refuse to share files that lack valid license information. Neither of these events occurred, and as of June 10th 2007, it is still possible to download LimeWire and share copyrighted files.
On August 4, 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued LimeWire, alleging that it was profiting from unauthorized downloads. On September 25, 2006 LimeWire countersued the RIAA for antitrust violations!
On May 12, 2006, the BBC reported that "Limewire" and "Lime wire" were among search terms likely to return links to malware from an Internet search engine. CA Anti-Spyware (formerly PestPatrol) flags LimeWire as spyware, and also detects Kazaa as being installed on computers with LimeWire
2007-06-12 20:08:17 · answer #2 · answered by anonymau5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ILLEGAL!!! You're not paying for the things you're downloading. Why do you think CD costs have gone up so much and CD sales down so much? Be a little considerate--for every person who illegally downloads music or whatever, the CD price goes up for those who actually follow the law and don't steal. Come on, now.
2007-06-12 23:07:12 · answer #3 · answered by I.B.Nerd♥sAngusDei 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The software is legal.
Uploading or downloading copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Uploading or downloading public domain material, material you own the copyright to, or material where you do have permission from the copyright holder (which includes material licensed under terms such as provided by Creative Commons) is fine.
Any creative work can be protected by copyright (and is by default). This includes songs, videos, texts, images (including photographs) and so on.
2007-06-12 19:52:27 · answer #4 · answered by David D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The program itself isn't illegal but downloading copyrighted music without paying for it is illegal. If you only ever get copyright free music (and there's not much of that) then it's legal.
2007-06-12 19:53:23 · answer #5 · answered by Claire 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it is illegal 100s of people whos IP address is traced get sued
by using Limewire
I use Itunes
I consider Limewire for people to cheap to pay $1 per song
2007-06-12 19:53:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Limewire itself is legal. Using it to download copyrighted material is illegal.
2007-06-12 19:52:12 · answer #7 · answered by John 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The last time I checked, downloading music for free on anything was illegal, and becoming pretty expensive if you get caught.
2007-06-12 19:59:22 · answer #8 · answered by lilshortie1991 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The company itself is legal, its what you do with it that is illegal. downloading the file without paying for it is a copyright infringement, and illegal.
2007-06-12 19:59:10 · answer #9 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limewire is illegal if you use it to download copyrighted material from it. If you are downloading something not copyrighted such as maybe a photo it's not illegal.
2007-06-12 19:53:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋