2007-10-19 08:41:47 · 48 answers · asked by wewonthecupin61wewonin68 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Limewire itself may or may not be illegal, but the sharing of copyrighted, commercial software, music, and video content sure is.
That's what RIAA is in such an uproar about.
2007-10-19 08:45:12 · answer #1 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Limewire is not illegal. The things you do on Limewire are illegal. Downloading songs that you don't own for no money is illegal. Same with videos and pictures.
2007-10-19 08:50:17 · answer #2 · answered by Dark L 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Limewire is NOT illegal in itself. Just like a hammer, car, or a can of paint. It's what you do with it. P2P file sharing is also NOT illegal.
The legal problem occurs when you download and share files (music, movies, applications) that are NOT licensed for distribution in that way.
For example you can download and share every version of Ubuntu (opensource free operating system) as much as you want, but doing this with windows XP is illegal.
Sharing songs that are licensed under most creative commons on a P2P is much appreciated by the artists but sharing most music you buy at the record store is illegal.
It's not the tool that's illegal it's what you do with it..
2007-10-21 03:54:22 · answer #3 · answered by leighjam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, Limewire is not illegal. However downloading copyrighted content for anywhere is illegal. So it is the downloader who is doing something illegal. Limewire make this very obvious in several places on it's website.
They also point out it is even more illegal to make hard copy of such material for resale.
OK
2007-10-19 08:50:51 · answer #4 · answered by tvcherry 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The act of using a filesharing application is not illegal. There are plenty of legitimate uses of P2P applications - see the use of BitTorrent for the distribution of Ubuntu.
However, the vast majority of the files that are shared/distributed across file sharing networks, such as Limewire, are copyrighted works. Therefore, when you use Limewire and have one of these copyrighted works in your shared folder, you are illegally "distributing" that copyrighted work...at least that's what the RIAA claims.
2007-10-19 08:47:02 · answer #5 · answered by TechBuddy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
LimeWire on its own is not illegal. Downloading copyrighted material from LimeWire is. So if you've already got it, I suggest you get FrostWire, it is almost exactly the same, but it filters out copyrighted material. I have them both, but I use FrostWire more often.
2007-10-21 05:09:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
limewire itself is NOT illegal !!!
It is illegal to download music/movies with it if you did not pay for them because the music is copywrited. If you have a CD and don't know how to rip it, you could D/L the songs from limewire and it would be okay because you purchesed the music.
2007-10-19 08:48:13 · answer #7 · answered by the_prankster 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Limewire and other file-sharing programs are only illegal when they are used for copyright infringement, such as downloading music and selling it.
The copyright laws are not completely clear on whether or not file-sharing for personal use is illegal and it is under scrutiny right now, but it is assumed that the programs are allowing for the illegal distribution of copyrighted materials without appropriate royalties being paid to the copyright holders.
2007-10-19 08:46:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Limewire isn't illegal. However sharing copyright protected material over a P2P network is.
2007-10-19 08:45:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Unless you work for "Limewire" and are trying to get free publicity, why in the world do you believe it to be illegal?
Regardless of whom you may be, for the benefit of those who have never heard of it (as was the case with me!), in and of itself, "Limewire" is not illegal.
It is a free, "file-sharing" program which allows people to share files across computers. It does not offer any downloads, except for its own, eponymous, product.
The alleged problem is that people can download (i.e., copy) anything that want, including music, videos, software, etc, from anyone or anywhere, without having to pay royalties to the owners/publishers of that material. This is similar to the Napster and Grokster court cases involving such.
The counter argument would be, "If someone steals my car and uses it to rob a bank, does that make all cars illegal?" Of course not. It is the individual who stole the car (or made the download) who is at fault, not the car manufacturer.
2007-10-19 08:54:55 · answer #10 · answered by skaizun 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I do not think Limewire is illegal - it is just that there seems to be some litigation going on......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.
It is NOT the software which is illegal,......... it is the copyrighted data that people share which is illegal using these software.
2007-10-19 08:49:49 · answer #11 · answered by The Pianist 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋