Is Limewire "file sharing" legal?

[fool93]

When you download Limewire, it says some stuff about not using it for copyright infringement, and you have to check a little box to agree.

Does that mean it's legal? I was under the impression that downloading files using Limewire was illegal. Anyone know?

[Nirvash]

It's legal to share your own personal files......but sharing copyrighted files i.e. movies, music.....then it becomes illegal

[youllshitbricks]

its illegal unless it has a copyright symbol next to it.

but who cares. you dont get caught.

[nard]

It just remind you to avoid downloading copyrighted materials. Limewire is not illegal itself. The contents or the files that are copyrighted is illegal when you download it.

[PanktiP]

yeap it's illigal

[afgermstlesse]

everything is illegal except for ITUNES,REALPLAYER AND OTHER COPYRIGHT THINGS

XOOXOX

[sandrab]

yes it is file sharing meaning you are just downloading other ppls files that they bought and saved

[dell8600]

It is only illegal if you download something that is copywritten such as a song by a major band. If you download a song put on there by lets say a local band who is wanting to promote themselves then its perfectly legal. Its about how you use it that makes it illegal or legal

[MattB]

This is a very gray area. It is perfectly legal to share files that either you own the copyright to (such as a book you wrote or a picture you took), or have permission to distribute the files such as an open source application like OpenOffice. However, most of the traffic on file sharing networks is copyrighted songs/videos which is illegal to share or download these. Basically Limewire is telling you that it's illegal to download these copyrighted songs and stuff and that you agree that you will be held responsible if you download copyrighted songs.

[Viciouse]

I think that uploading files is actually the illegal one (at least, I think it's the one they can actually book you for if they track you down). Downloading is just the one that can give you viruses and spyware. I'm sure there is something in the law for possessing files that infringe copyright laws, but it's all very wishy-washy.