how likely is it that i'll be prosecuted for illegally downloading songs on limewire?
465064
LLLOOOOLLL !!! To you people answering this question . Lime wire is safe . Just dont sale your downloads to anyone or sale them at a yard sale thats when you get the city involved
934256
doesn't look legal or too illegal to me. I'm not an expert and I only went on the site to answer your question, but you've been on it more (I assume), so you might be able to work it out.or go on a law website or something. I think the site stole the music illegally, but you probably won't get in trouble for using it.
86355
Technically downloading any copyrighted work whether it be software, music, movies, et al is illegal.  That being said those that get in trouble only get in trouble because they were sharing the files they downloaded or already had, that's how they (the government) finds you.  If you just download but don't share it becomes next to impossible to find you.  And most of the people we are talking about here had servers with many copyrighted works on them.  Generally speaking the individual user is fairly safe but there are exceptions.\n\nNo, Kazaa is not okay, because the free version of Kazaa is full of spyware.  Since you have probably heard of it, LimeWire, http://www.limewire.com/ is great but I have since moved to FrostWire, http://www.frostwire.com/ which is the open source free version of LimeWire Pro.  And FrostWire is based overseas so it would be harder for US laws to affect the software.  I'll reiterate that if you share your files you are at risk of getting in trouble so it's just best if you DO use it to just download and not share anything.\n\nWhen you download files from ANY P2P network always, always scan them with your anti-virus software before running the files.  There is always the possibility the file you downloaded could contain a virus and if it does most AV programs will detect them because it is probably an old virus to which your AV software will have definitions for.  Zero day attacks are not likely to occur on a P2P network.  If you don't have a virus scanner, AVG Free is an excellent one, http://free.grisoft.com/\n\nThere is no guarantee, it is 99.5% safe.  That is, there is only a >1% chance you will actually get caught, there is a slight risk but it is mostly safe.  Mostly being the operative term.
440415
as far as i know, there are NO websites that you can get free songs from, because that would illegal for the maker of the website.  the only way limewire isn't getting in trouble is because it is others that are are giving out the free music, not limewire itself.  so you can only get free songs from software that you download.  some ways to get free songs is going to podcasts on iTunes then music and you can get free legal indie songs in four different genres.  you can also get some music from amazon.com  plus one sneaky thing is that sometimes artists on myspace let you download their song.  so look up some artists on myspace and see if their songs are downloadable.
510864
Courts ruled in Europe and in America that file-sharing software like Limewire is not in itself illegal - but downloading copyrighted material from those websites is. If you read the legal stuff on the Limewire page they will say that Limewire is totally legal - and it is, for Limewire. The average downloader who wants to get copyrighted music is still committing an illegal act and can be prosecuted....
347278
the above answer is not completely true\n\notherwise, why would there be p2p programs at all?\n\n\nIf you want to share something you created completely on your own, you are free to do so.  But yes, sharing music and video files that you bought is illegal.  If caught, there can be some very stiff fines if not prosecutions & jail time.
535023
Limewire's Legality:\n\nLimewire and other file sharing software is legal. Using it to upload or download copyright protected media - music, videos, images, software - without the copyright holder's consent is illegal because it is theft. \n\nHere are more opinions and tips: \n\n\nLimewire says its legal because technically its just a "file sharing" service and it is not held responsible for the files that are downloaded onto the system. Only the users are responsible. That's why when you download songs from Limewire, it's legal for them, but NOT for you. \n\nIf you are not paying some sort of fee to download, it is illegal. \n\nDon't be fooled by the fee you pay to use the pro version of Limewire. The artists of the songs you download don't get a penny of that! ("LimeWire offers two versions of the software: LimeWire Basic which is free of charge; the other is LimeWire PRO which costs a small fee, features faster download speeds and better search results, including up to 6 months of free updates and customer support via email.") \n\nEven if you download a coyrighted song for your own personal use, it's still illegal. Perhaps one could skate around the issue if they already own a legal copy on a CD, but then why download it if that's the case. Any fees paid to Limewire are for purchasing the software and that's it. \n\nLime Wire is not illegal software. All it is is file sharring. However many people abuse this by sharing songs without the copyright. For example if you have produced a song, then share it on Limewire, anyone else can legaly have it for free. But when you haven't made it, but an artist has, who has copyright on that song (which they all do) downloading that song without permission from the producer, it is totaly illegal. \n\nBasically, yes, downloadig music from any free service is probably illegal. You may be paying Limewire for the software, but that's just for the software, so the money goes to Limewire, you are not paying for the song. To be safe, do not download music for free. If it's free, nobody has paid the artist. \n\nDownloading songs and other copyrighted material is illegal, but if you wanted to share a music file of you singing or playing an instrument, then that is perfectly legal. \n\nLIMEWIRE IS ILLEGAL! Although with Limewire you will probably never get caught, if you even bring your computer in for a repair and a worker sees the program or any music you downloaded from Limewire, he is ordered BY LAW to tell his boss, and you will get a fine (I had to pay like 200 dollars.) It's not pretty. Although we all want Limewire to be legal, it isn't. \n\nThe Limewire software itself is not illegal - that is why the site is still up and why you can still download it. However - if you donwload a song from the program and you do not pay copyright on it then that is illegal. Songs from the 1950's or before are legal to download because their copyright has expired. Anything from after that is illegal to download. However - you are all going to do it anyway so this just makes you aware! \n\nDownloading songs on limewire is illegal and always has been. However, as for the legality of the program itself, its confusing. The program is legal, but I believe I read somewhere that the supreme court recently ruled that file sharing services can be held accountable for sharing music. \n\nIs Limewire illegal? No It is not. It CAN'T leagally be held accountable for what it's users do. Let's put it like this. A major virus takes out the whole internet. But when they trace the source, it leads to runescape servers for example. Runescape is an online game that gives its users access to its servers, kind of like limewire. Now are the people owning runescape responsible? Nope, but its users ARE. Same thing with limewire. My advice to you, do not use it to access "free" music, or "free" programs...images...and so o
779870
Both downloading and sharing items with programs like limewire are illegal. You are also not permitted to copy songs on disks and hand out to friends. This is US law.\n\nDownloading songs and other items from limewire IS NOT SAFE. People have paid me hundreds of dollars to clean their computers of viruses and malware. This software opens up your computer to an internet-wide network, and you can easily download infected items.\n\nI somewhat suspect that infections can happen even without downloads for programs of this type.
64781
If you have a firewall and anti-virus program and you don't download suspicious files, you should be ok. If you don't have a firewall, Zone Alarm is a good one (a free version of it is also available if you don't want to spend any money). For a free anti-virus program, go to http://free.grisoft.com/\n\nIf you follow the simple tips above, you should be set in downloading music by using Limewire, or any other P2P client.
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/
1028272
it's told that It's illegal that someone uploads your music but apparently it is not against the law to download music. i advice you to use Ares, It's the best but don't let people download yours.
1143072
Limewire, be carefull, it is illegal to download stuff.  if not go for limewire pro, it is not illegal.
728550
you shouldnt be telling everyone you use limewire since its illegal
779471
It is bad. This is because:\nLimewire contains something called Ad ware. This means that Limewire holds all of your details like your name, address, telephone number and even bank details. Once you reach a limit of 900 files, Limewire will send a massive bill to your house. If this bill is not paid, Limewire will take it from your bank. You can't report this because it will be your own fault. This has happened to a friend of mine. To prevent this from happening, make a new folder and store all of your files in that folder. If you store your files in the shared folder, Limewire will have a record of it. I want everyone to be aware of downloading music illegally. I use Limewire and i save all of my files in another folder.
69435
limewire as long as you don't download any programs
339680
Isnt it illegal to even have limewire?
987998
The limewire website itself is not illegal, nor is it illegal to download Limewire.  It is, however, illegal to use the Limewire program to download copyright-protected materials.