Why are so many people obsessed on downloading free software?
85669
The real answer is that copying software and music or movies is not stealing. It is copyright infringement, which is not a criminal offense. Stealing a CD or DVD from a store is actually stealing. It is a criminal offense. Stealing a CD deprives the artist, store owner, and label of the profit that they would have gotten by selling the CD. Copying music and downloading the file only deprives them of money if the person downloading would have purchased the music otherwise, which is almost never the case.\n\nSo don't equate copyright infringement with stealing, because it is a much lesser offense. The music industry likes to use the terms "stealing," "piracy," and "theft," because it uses language to subconsciously alter how people are thinking about the problem. Don't fall into that trap.\n\nThat said, copyright infringement *is* a civil offense that is illegal. I don't think people are closet thieves, I just think that the actual value of the products that these people are producing is far less than the cost, and people feel justified in downloading it because they feel somewhat overcharged for the music they do purchase.
604351
buy a copy...don't try to prirate software
501665
Yes, I do.  But, more importantly, if you're asking someone to give you one so that you can enable a pirated version of the software, then 1) that's illegal, 2) this isn't the appropriate place to ask people to engage in illegal activity since it is against the community guidelines; and, 3) it's probably not the best idea to use a VERY public forum to ask for a product key.
44637
You have to pay for it, unless someone you know already has it, and then you can just have them download it on your computer.  The icon on your desktop is just a shortcut that you create from the actual program.  But before you get it, consider that it takes up ALOT of your computer's memory.  And I have it, and I HATE it... I personally think that Ares is better, and completely free.  Limewire doesn't have a lot of users.  And if something you want to download isn't one of the top two or three choices, a lot of times you can't even download...it will just keep telling you that it needs more sources.  Seriously, look for something better.
125018
Because the programs themselves are not illegal in most areas, although the recent Grokster decision said that they may be if they actively encourage piracy.\n\nBut a program like Limewire or eMule never says "Hey, look! Free pirated mp3's here!". In fact it states NOT to download copyrighted files. Of course, most p2p files are illegally downloaded, but the programs themselves are still considered legal.\n\nIt's like a Xerox machine. You can illegally copy a book using it, but the machine itself is legal.
550859
possibly.. they may tend to use up your cpu once in awhile, evidently leading to crashes.. so far, i've got no problems with my torrent program but the thing that i often use to download files more quicker would be this p2p network, "limewire." it's really good.. you oughta try it for your self. i had the pro version. and dang does it work wonders not only in terms of fast searches but in superb sources...
357434
it is illegal and people are putting out a program that would "track" the computer that would download those illegal songs. So it is easy for someone to get in to trouble a lot easier.
486188
First, Linux is not "licence free" as you state [1]. Second, this type of software has been around for over a decade, and so far hasn't had the sweeping changes everyone thought.  Firefox is one noteworthy exception of widespread adoption of open-source software.  People hoped open-source software will drive prices down, but this doesn't seem to be happening so far.  There is still a struggle, but widespread Linux use still seems like an elusive goal.  You can find a lot of the debate if you go to a linux forum, which you can find on google.
1107530
I download and share with anyone who wants it. I don't make money off of it. Am I breaking the law? I do the same thing with movies. Music and movies cost way to much to buy from the stores. Blank discs are cheap. When will big companies wake up and realize it is time to lower the costs?
535921
Nothing is Free in this world.\n\nBe carefully.\n\n\nSilently they give you lots. (Virus/Trojan etc)\n\nEnjoy it!
213144
Downloaded versions are just as good as a retail box version as long as you are downloading the software from a legitimate site.  Avoid downloading software from file sharing applications as they may contain viruses or may not work properly, not to mention that it is illegal.
1154952
Oh what a lot of bull....   it has nothing to do with conspiracies, dictatorships or the government...\n\nWhen you say "downloading", you're talking about getting a free copy of a commerical product.   Somebody made that product, and expects to get paid for doing so.    What you're doing is stealing...  but it's happening in such numbers that it's just not practical to prosecute every individual who scores a few bootleg movies...\nThe movie. music and game industries are directing their energies to proscuting the people who turn theft into a big business.... they steal the product and pass it on because they think its cool to "beat the system", or because they have some convoluted political agenda...\nNow, can I come by and take somehting that you worked for? Your car?  Is it OK If I take that and give it to a stranger on the street?  You wouldn't mind?  It is, after all, politically correct ...  :-)
1019394
I don't understand why everyone discredits LimeWire - it works perfectly if you know how to use it - I have never caught any malware from it because I understand how to work it and how to avoid malware.
714089
its cheap, easy to use, and people get suckered in to using it because that's what most programs run on.
224472
i think u hav to buy the software u cant just download it
481673
Try one of the links below\n\nYou can search for free or freeware in them.\n\nI do have almost 50MB of free software just from these sites\n\nAnd There are alot more.
92413
Guess ur talking about downloading illegal stuff, cause otherwise the server actually keeps a log of what u have downloaded so they would know.\nIf you are using rare software, encrypted software or servers that are only available to "members" its very hard to be caught.\nUsually if u share much, u have a greater chance of getting caught (they go for big fry). Otherwise no worries. :)\nFuck the MPIAA etc.