will I be fined if I download from file sharing sites??
205727
Well as the others say, yes, technically, in probably most cases, the music is will be copyrighted material and so it is illegal to take it for free, or indeed to give it out (share it) for free - without the copyright-holder's permission. Despite some high-profile cases where individuals have been, successfully of course, prosecuted by record companies for illegal filesharing, this is obviously a scare tactic by the record companies, and we are talking about a handful of individuals being prosecuted - out of, I imagine hundreds of millions of file-sharers - so the risk to you is really extremely small.\n\nAs regards what Mr. Edwards says about viruses, well I have to say it seems like he is anti-filesharing and therefore he would say that to put you off - although I may be wrong(?). In reality I would say, although he is right there are many viruses on filesharer's computers, the risk is no greater really than that associated with using the rest of the internet - I mean to put it in perspective, if you don't use filesharing because you're worried about downloading viruses through it then you shouldn't really use the internet either.\n\n**This is not to say of course that you shouldn't be careful** Take all the precautions that you do with the rest of the net - make sure you have proper anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware software and use it! Virus-scan your downloads - you'll find, handily that many popular filesharing software - this may help you choose - will have a setting in the options to *automatically* scan all incoming files using you installed anti-virus software.\n\nAnd if you do get a virus etc through filesharing, just bear in mind it could *equally* happened through email, browsing etc.\n\nRather an essay there but hope that helps!
668140
put them into the folder your downloads go to and no it dosen't affected your downloads if you don't share
104468
Try edonkey or overnet - these file sharing and you can be sued for breach of copyright. You can also borrow friends CD's and rip them to MP3 with Media Player.... Also a breach of copyright. You could type my nick into google - go to my website then click the link to my Tripod site and there are 5 unreleased MP3's to download there!
449220
Filesharing isn't illegal. It isn’t illegal inasmuch that it does not constitute a criminal act.\n\nIf you are caught and if the matter is pursued, it is a civil matter between you and the recording industry and you could be sued. \n\nYou cannot be arrested, searched, fined or imprisoned for filesharing. The recording industries do not have state support, they cannot simply search property at will or seize your possessions, they are private companies with no more rights than private individuals.
83953
The programs to download/share files are legal.\n\nUsing them to download copyright protected files (i.e.. most music files) is illegal if you do not pay for them.\n\nUse I-Tunes.  The program is free - the music is not. But it is legal.
117403
yes but i don`t download any they can cause damage to your computer
32341
Most will be illegal! But there are cheap alternatives like itunes/amazon etc or some sites like emp3finder.com (don't know if it is legal or not).
375270
They can only gain access and download what you say they can (what you downlod) as it automaticly shares with other users as you download it (this is how the software runs). Bit torrent will keep sharing the file until you meet your Download:Upload ratio unless you say stop. The faster you upload the faster you download. As long as your not downloading illegal files you cant really get in trouble.
447597
Be very careful of downloading any software from a P2P website as most carry some kind of virus. Is it really worth saving 30 dollars to take that kind of a chance? Been there done that learned my lesson!
498217
Bit torrrent or Limewire all are same. They allow people to share files among them. As such there use is not illegal but if using them to copy a movie or song from other's person pc, then it is piracy which is illegal. (When u download through a torrent then u actually download from other people's PC)
38012
Unlimiteddownloads.com is probably actually free, but it is illegal to download copywrited music/movies/etc, without express permission from the copyright owner. The way that these sites, which offer free downloads, work is they are a P2P(person to person) service which is not illegal. That is how they are able to claim that the service is legal (which it is) but downloading music(as stated above) without permission from the copyright holder, is illegal.
569500
yeah, you can download games/files/songs/videos, etc.  and I'm sure some of them will have viruses.  But they're free!
600856
Any content you download can have spyware and virus. Hence download only the content you are sure is OK. Another thing is use recommended torrent clients only. Some torrent clients come with spyware. I recommend the following torrent clients:\nhttp://www.utorrent.com\nhttp://azureus.sourceforge.net/
25942
The system isn't illegal, no.\n\nHowever, if you distribute/or download copyright-protected media, that is illegal. That's basically abusing the principle of Peer-2-Peer and other File Sharing programs.
63528
You can ,,,,download anything... but I would be careful.. I only used them once.. got a bunch of junk I wasnt expecting.\n glad I had a good virus program... and spy sweeper ..
9031
Yes you can get locked up for copyright infrigement and p2p. Extrely illegal anywhere
559448
Before I start, all file sharing programs themselves are legal. It's how you use them that make your activities legal or illegal. If you download copyrighted works then what you are doing is illegal. However there are many good uses of file-sharing. Some programs other than Limewire are Frostwire, Shareaza, and any BitTorrent clients (Azureus).