Limewire is a P2P ( Peer 2 Peer ) that gives you access to thousands of files
being shared online, you can download mp3 music, movies, software and much
more.
Many people concerned using peer 2 peer software programs such as limewire
and are always asking the question is limewire legal the simple question to
this is yes.
What is illegal on limewire is sharing copyrighted material to the masses as limewire
connects to potentially thousands of users worldwide but this is not the main use
for limewire.
Limewire is a file sharing program that uses its interface to connect up to the
gnutella file sharing network were its able to search through the network to find
other users that are file sharing.
If you own this song or album on a cd then you are ok to download it but if
you download it and share it then you are commiting a copyright crime and this
has nothing to do with the question is limewire legal this is you the user
sharing a copyrighted song/mp3.
This is whats great about limewire now as they make it clear for you the user
that they have not found the licsence for the file which is good as the onus
is now on the user to decide weather they download the file or not as limewire
will let the user know if it cant find the liscence to the file.
The laws of copyright are different for different countrys like china, as
china do not adhere to copyright laws every company in china can copy each
other with no trademark repurcusions so if you wanted to download mp3’s you
could go live in china and use P2P software to your hearts content.
Is limewire legal yes, is the content on limewire legal yes and no but limewire
when you set it up give you the option to find searches of legal file sharing
files as they do not have control on who is sharing what file on the gnutella
network but they are able now to support the users ability to help to protect
the user from downloading any copyrighted files by giving the limewire user the
choice to download the file because if you were to download a song you already
own on a cd for example then the law says you are allowed to back up anything
you legally own.
Is Limewire Illegal ?
The program distributed by Lime Wire, “LimeWire BASIC” and “LimeWire PRO”,
is legal software, but like many legal things, it is possible to use it in illegal ways.
Specifically, it is illegal for you to use LimeWire to share, distribute or download
(all of which we call sharing) copyrighted files without permission, or to share
unlawful pornographic materials. In addition, it may be unlawful to share certain
other files that are protected, proprietary, personal or confidential or contain
protected, proprietary, personal or confidential information.
The LimeWire program is distributed and licensed for use only in an authorized
and lawful manner and not to share files which the copyright owner has not
permitted to be shared.
Your use of LimeWire BASIC or purchase of LimeWire PRO does not
constitute a license in or to share unauthorized or unlawful materials. Your
download and use of the LimeWire software from www.limewire.com is per a
license granted you by LimeWire.