Are the programs Filetopia and Limewire legal or illegal?
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!
135971
Limewire is a free P2P program that will let you...but as a disclaimer, it is also illegal since that music you are downloading is liscensed.
928111
it is illegal to both download AND upload copyrighted content in the same way it's illegal to go and steal stuff from a store.\n\nregardless of whether you do or don't share the music/movies/software you download makes no difference to whether the MPAA/RIAA/whatever can catch you...the government aren't bothered about detecting piracy incidentally, it's the big corporations that hunt out/monitor illegal file sharing.\n\nit could be debated that downloading the odd file here and there holds less of a risk of being nailed and fined/jailed/taken to court by the large copyright holders but that's no consolation to anyone that *does* get caught downloading the odd file.\n\nthe internet is not a private and secure medium by nature, pretty much anyone with a small amount of knowledge can see what you're uploading or downloading with relative ease.
113909
It might be. But be wary. Limewire costs money to download, but the content has not been purchased by limewire and therefore all copywrited materials are illegal to download.
1089128
I have heard of morpheus.com. The program is call morpheus and it is way faster than limewire. Also it is an international company, so until they make a law about an international company it is perfectly legal. Or if you dont like that there is also a program called frostwire. It is like the brother of limewire and it is faster than limewire but not as fast as morpheus.
33845
It was never wise to do.  In addition to being illegal, it was also a mecca for hackers.  P2P has become one of the leading "release points" for computer virus.\n\nIn addition, both RIAA and MPAA have joined forces to catch people that use these services.  Early on, they concentrated on people who were shareing files.  However, they are more and more doing "reverse stings", where they themselves put something out to share.  They then sue anybody who tried to download it from them.\n\nStay safe and legal, use a "fee" based legal system like emusic, itunes, or something else.
219860
Limewire itself is not illegal, if used to share legal stuff.  You can't share copyrighted stuff legally without permission of the copyright holder.
423517
Well hypothetically, I would try any P2P file sharing program, like Lime Wire or Direct Connect (DC++);  but that would be illegal.
680277
Limewire, it is illegal though.
789011
Limewire is freeware P2P.  It is legal.  Downloading copyrighted music, software, and movies is ILLEGAL.
555244
Limewire is not Illegal, but downloading the music is!\n\n"it comes down to this: having Limewire is not illegal. Running Limewire is not illegal. Downloading copyright material with Limewire is illegal. Distributing copyright material with Limewire is illegal."\n\n"Copyright Infringement: \nCopyright laws and laws pertaining to patents and inventions protect original works of authorship and inventions. Individuals who reproduce, distribute copies, receive copies, publicly perform or display works or inventions other than their own and without the consent of the owners or holders of rights, or their authorized agents, in original works of authorship or inventions, may be in violation of copyright, patent or other intellectual property infringement. Lime Wire LLC does not encourage or condone the illegal copying of copyrighted material. This is not intended to be legal counsel or advice. If you have any questions, consult your attorney.\n\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nExcerpt from FTC document "File Sharing: A Fair Share? Maybe Not":\nShared Folders \n\nFile-Sharing: A Fair Share? Maybe Not. \nEvery day, millions of computer users share files online. Whether it is music, games, or software, file-sharing can give people access to a wealth of information. You simply download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers running the same software. Millions of users could be connected to each other through this software at one time. The software often is free and easily accessible. \n\nSounds promising, right? Maybe, but make sure that you consider the trade-offs. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, cautions that file-sharing can have a number of risks. For example, when you are connected to file-sharing programs, you may unknowingly allow others to copy private files you never intended to share. You may download material that is protected by the copyright laws and find yourself mired in legal issues. You may download a virus or facilitate a security breach. Or you may unwittingly download pornography labeled as something else. \nTo secure the personal information stored on your computer, the FTC suggests that you:\n\n• Set up the file-sharing software very carefully. If you don't check the proper settings when you install the software, you could open access not just to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive, like your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos, or other personal documents. \n\nLimeWire's response: Shared Folders\nTo check which files you’re sharing, open LimeWire and click on the Library tab. Clicking on the folders (and sub-folders) will show the files being shared. \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nExcerpt from FTC document "File Sharing: A Fair Share? Maybe Not": \nSpyware \n\nBe aware of spyware. Some file-sharing programs install other software known as spyware. Spyware monitors a user's browsing habits and then sends that data to third parties. Sometimes the user gets ads based on the information that the spyware has collected and disseminated. Spyware can be difficult to detect and remove. Before you use any file-sharing program, you may want to buy software that can prevent the downloading of spyware or help detect it on your hard drive.\n\nLimeWire's response: Spyware\nLimeWire has absolutely no spyware or adware. Zero. None. We do not bundle any other software with LimeWire. \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n\nExcerpt from FTC document "File Sharing: A Fair Share? Maybe Not": \nDefault Closing Behavior \n\nClose your connection. In some instances, closing the file-sharing program window does not actually close your connection to the network.
1104496
it is not legal but try bittorrent.Get a bittorent client like bitcomet from http://bitcomet.com and go to http://www.torrentz.com/
293598
Well duh. Using BitTorrent isnt illegal, its what you use it for. If you download software that normally is sold in stores or online, its illegal. If its a demo product that is freely given out, then its not illegal.
848369
legally you can use any program to download. What illegal is the contant that you download. example if you download music/movies that you do not own right to-- that is illegal.
689136
download p2p clients like limewire, bittorrent etc and give a try... but i must warn you, it is illegal.
116502
as far as i know downloading anything which you are not paying for without the authors permission is stilling... itunes and napster are the most know legal sites.
683066
i am pretty sure that napster is the best one, but there are things like LimeWire Pro that are legal but i dont thinko they are so great.