I use a file sharing program called LimeWire and I love it in the beast! But I don't know is using free file sharing programs legal or not?
2007-08-20 02:23:46 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
just using the software is perfectly legal, but using the software to download copyrighted music/movies is not legal.
owning a bicycle is legal, using the bicycle to beat an old woman to death is not - ie. don't use a legal tool illegally.
these file sharing networks are also notoriously open, anyone with half a brain can see who is downloading / uploading along with that computer's ip address which can identify them in a court of law. remember also that anyone can put files onto file sharing networks, which is why there are so many viruses.
that applies to all file sharing software, shareaza, bittorrent, bearshare, winmx, and any others where you aren't paying an established online retailer like itunes.
but incidentally, they do have a page that covers this:
http://www.limewire.com/support/ftc4.php
2007-08-20 02:26:27 · answer #1 · answered by piquet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These sites and software have been around for ages.
The use of the software, ie Downloading the software is OK but when you use any software that enables the user to download any Copywrited Material is against the LAW.
and is punishable by a $250.000 dollar fine and prison time.
5 years ago this was not a big deal per se, but in this day and age the Recording Industry, and the Motion Picture Industry has cracked down. They go after the ones downloadig not the developers of the software that enable you to do it.
Those are the FACTS
Don
2007-08-20 09:35:25 · answer #2 · answered by Don M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using a free file sharing program is perfectly legal.
Downloading copyrighted material for which you do not have a license or the copyright holder's permission is not legal.
In other words if you download Linux or some other freeware or open source software then that's ok. But, if you download some software by Microsoft or the Transformers movie then you are breaking copyright law.
2007-08-20 09:31:52 · answer #3 · answered by irongut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well technically yes and no. If everything that you downloaded has a licsence on it then you are okay, but everthing that you are downloading that doesn't have a licsence could be something that could get you introuble. I would suggest to disable uploading from your computer from other limewire users. Go in to properties and click on uploading and make everything zero and erase all the types that you can upload. Store your music and videos on your computer but dont let limewire share them to other p2p users. This is an easy way for people to get into your computer and for people able to find what you have on your computer by what you are sharing.
2007-08-20 09:29:58 · answer #4 · answered by taylor-cool 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get Emule http://j.mp/1AymFG1. The best p2p software in my opinion.
I love it!
Have a nice day
2014-07-30 14:15:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you use it to download copywritten material, then it is not legal use.
2007-08-20 09:29:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋