has anyone personally been fined for filesharing or know someone who has been?
99813
yes a couple of ma frnds in college were sued by music companies for file sharing in campus. the litigation is still in progress.
491217
Problem is, I've never seen anyone actually get caught or punished for piracy. \nI read a news article about someone getting caught once, but that hardly compensates for the massive amount of piracy that I see on a daily basis.\nPiracy is pretty rampant these days, and it's damaging the entertainment industries (including video games!).
1108746
sorry nederlander but not even then, failure to yield exiting a private drive is also a violation in most all jurisdiction\n\n\n\nthat should be worth 10 points!
1041133
There is a risk involved, but the level of risk depends upon WHERE you are downloading them from.  If you are downloading programs through reputable websites such as PCWorld.com or CNET.com, the chances are very slim.  If you are using a peer to peer file sharing program, the risk gets much greater.  It behooves you to ALWAYS run a virus scan on any file that you introduce to your computer prior to running it.
514521
FileZilla takes the cake for sure. \n\nhttp://filezilla.sourceforge.net/
127387
As with any p2p, the files could have viruses. But, I have emule, and haven't had any probs with it.
921596
yes\nhttp://www.canadiancontent.net/tech/freeware/File+and+Folder+Protection/\n\nremind self to write down passwords and store away,\nas well zip and copy to cd for backup, safety\n\n\nalso folder properties/ sharing local sharing /options
26247
A big risk, no.  A slight risk, yes.  There is always the chance of getting caught and you most likely never will.  Music you can probably get by with.  Movies are another story as the MPAA is cracking down on people harder than the RIAA did.  Be careful with movies.\n\nStill most people get caught are caught because they are sharing their files.  You can download just don't share anything.  And always be behind a hardware firewall (a router) if you can.  While you're at it you may as well run a software firewall too (Kerio Personal Firewall is my new favorite).  It also depends on the P2P program you are using, don't use Kazaa or Bearshare.  I like Limewire, it's free and relatively safe and spyware free.  But as always check any file you have downloaded with your virus scanner first.  If you don't have one get a free one from Grisoft, http://free.grisoft.com/
1172653
put them into the folder your downloads go to and no it dosen't affected your downloads if you don't share
167620
ive been caught, i was trying to take a DVD, and got caught.  totally not worth it.  i was sentenced to 10 days of house arrest, plus 1 year of supervised probation, not to mention the fines and fees associated with the proccess, all in all i shelled out about $500. not worth the time or effort.
498155
let me guess.. an mp3 file? well that is basically an excuse for them, just to make you not be able to share mp3s or movies or something. try zipping it like the other guy said
989281
people in other side can download any things that is in your share folder\n,it's name is incoming usually\nwhen u download some thing it will be save in this directory\nafter your download process complete , move the files to another dicrectory and make this folder empty\nso there is no file to download for another
902039
Its not like if you go to a site with them you get arrested. You would have to go through many steps to download it, and even then you would still have to actually file share. I think you're safe.
278454
If your gnutella client has fooled you into sharing everything on your computer, and depending on the content of your computer, it is nothing to find out insane amounts of info on people.\n\nI am not saying that I agree in the invasion of people's pivacy, even if it is legal.
451198
These kinds of programs were created as a means to share files from person to person that could otherwise not be transmitted through servers or Internet Service Providers with megabyte limitations.  You are supposed to be using these programs to share things that you own but have evolved quickly into the type of filesharing that most of us are familiar with now a days.  People put up their music, movies, programs, or whatever else they bought legally and share it with those who didn't.  The uploaders then in turn download the stuff others have put up there for free.  This is definitely illegal but difficult to regulate.  Giant corporation can catch you easily (Internet Protocol (IP) tracking) if you download their materials illegally, however it is time consuming and costly for them to do so.  Imagine presses charges on the millions of people who download illegally.  You will most likely be targeted only if you keep large collections of media in your library.  That will put you on their radar and you will become a juicy target to make an example of.  They target large collectors because they are also a large source from which others can download more stuff in sort of a viscious cycle.  Hope that info helps.  Good luck!
305666
How are you sharing the files? I've used Windows file sharing and it already does this.
23506
I believe that any use of "file-sharing" services puts your computer at some kind of risk.  You don't really know what it is that you're getting, and giving other people access to files in your computer is inherently dangerous.\n\nIf that weren't enough, you are engaging in an ILLEGAL practice which could result in more serious penalites than you may imagine.  The Motion Picture Association Of America is prosecuting all instances of film piracy.  Do yourself a favor--get out of this dangerous business.