heLP IM SO SCARED?

Question

i used to have limewire and downloaded about 15 songs and i heard of the woman that got sued for some other P2P website and she downloaded 24 songs. i did not know downloading song was illegal im very young. but i sure did delete limewire and never using it again but im terrified

Answer 1

Good.
Now don't do it again.

Answer 2

Wow...there's a lot of misinformation here. First, downloading copyrighted music using Limewire probably is illegal, and you ought to err on the side of caution and avoid it. There aren't any legal cases that have made it entirely through our court system yet, because the risks are way too high if you lose. So, everybody has just been settling with the RIAA and MPAA, giving them a few thousand dollars to make the problem go away, and not risk court. Many feel that the copyright holders don't really have the law on their side and could be beaten in court, but it's not fully tested yet....there have been both defeats and victories in court by people trying to fight, but the final law hasn't been established yet by escalating the concepts to higher appeals courts. The police do NOT monitor file downloading, nor do they raid your house for it (they DO, however, do that for kiddie porn, thank goodness). Instead, the RIAA or MPAA try to download files from you using Limewire or whatever, and they build a case that way. Then they bully your ISP into realeasing your real name and address to them, so they can send you a threatening letter and extort money from you. But, as mentioned in a previous post, the odds of your being one of their targets are probably higher than you winning the lottery. But.....keep an eye on the news. There is currently some legislation being considered that can significantly change the stakes in all this, giving the copyright holders much more power to prosecute, and yes, even to have your home raided and equipment confiscated (try googling "Intellectual Property Enforcement Act of 2007"). Anyway, you're probably not going to get busted this time. Although some would say that file-sharing is legal within the definition of the fair-use laws, my gut tells me that it really IS stealing, just like shoplifting.

Answer 3

Well, i find it hard to believe that you didn't know that 'sharing' files could be illegal. Also any court will also find it hard to believe.

Yes, the RIAA vigorously pursues and prosecutes any persons that violate the Copy write Laws and the seek the maximum civil fines that they can get to send messages to other that we will hunt you down.

Now there are legal sites to download music and other files. And there are legal uses for Limewire and the other P2P programs. Some people will tell you not to worry, they are frankly fools, and have been 'lucky' so far. The RIAA has several firms that are paid to seek out unlawful downloaders / uploaders and turn them in.

Hope things are okay for you, just insure that you keep it legal.

Answer 4

Well what the police usually do is monitor download activity on programs like limewire. They're usually looking for people that are sharing a lot of songs/films. Then they go to your house, take your PC away and look at all the files on it. It's then down to you to prove that you've paid for the music/films that are on it.
If you're worried about it remove limewire (like you have done), that way you probably won't get a visit. If you're still worried, delete the songs you've downloaded and they won't have anything to find.
A lot of people just remove the files that they've download from the shared area, that way it doesn't look like you've got anything.
Personally, I like to be honest and pay for my music but that's a whole other argument.

Answer 5

You most likely won't get punished for it, but still it was wrong and you didn't know better. Now you do. Most people who use it don't get caught, but still you did the right thing in deleting it. If you haven't been to court yet for it then you should be fine. Just don't use limewire again. :) It'll be okay.

Answer 6

Don't be scared. You did the right thing. While it is illegal to use these services, the people getting in trouble are the ones who've really exploited these sites. 15 downloads probably isn't going to be something Big Brother is going to go after. Just remember, just like "free downloads," nothing is ever truly free in life. If it sounds to good to be true...it probably is.

Answer 7

The individuals being sued are those who "share" music. The users who are "downloading" music are not the onse being purSUED or atleast I have not heard of any downloaders being sought after.

I think youll be ok.

Answer 8

they pick on like one in every 2 billion people, ther are literally millions of people who download illegaly and i think a young girl who downloaded 12 song is there last priority

Answer 9

Nothing will happen to you. What you are doing is legal. The only way it is illegal is if you are selling the songs or making money off the songs in anyway. But if you download them and are just listening to them, then you have not done any wrong doing. Check out this link... http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Limewire_illegal

Answer 10

don't worry, even i illigally download, there is nothing to be scared about, you will not get caught, i promise, the chances are so unlikely.

seriously. you can continue on limewire, you will njot get caught.

Answer 11

I would suggest you talk this over with your parents and, explain what your fears are..Get them on your side, I am sure after talking with them, you'll feel alot better..
In the future, If in doubt, ask them for their opinion.
Just be safe.
Best wishes..