Is downloading from limewire illegal?

Question

I tried to convince my father to download it but he said he tried two years ago and that the FBI sent him a warning through his computer, and 'froze' it (which I'm highly skeptical about). He then went on to say he had to clean out his entire computer in order to get it working again. Is he lying? Is limewire illegal? Everyone I know gets their music from limewire...

Answer 1

There are free versions of limewire. But yes, Limewire allows you to access Songs/movies and other programs that were meant to be bought. Having limewire is legal, using limewire is illegal. It is highly dangerous due to the fact that it may contain viruses. However...Depending where you live will answer your question on the government cracking down. It's VERY UNLIKELY that a home user will get in trouble for using this program. But possible.  

Answer 2

It kinda is. But i downloaded it many times. Nothing from the FBI.

But it is dangerous. It may give u viruses. There is a high risk. It happened to me.

Answer 3

Actually, NO, Limewire itself is NOT illegal! Neither is using it.../UNLESS/ you download COPYRIGHTED materials. Songs without copyright are songs from before the 1920s, I believe, and anything else you download is most likely illegally downloading, which is p****y, because you are stealing that material.  

Answer 4

It depends on what you download with it. There are programs, and other files that you can download, and you think you are getting a video or mp3 and it's just a virus or some other kind of malware. You have to be very careful, and YES, it IS mostly illegal..... and dangerous.

Answer 5

Limewire itself is not illegal per se'.

Using limewire to download copies of copyrighted works, be they music, video, or pictures, could in a sense be considered unlawful however there is no current law expressly forbidding it.

Currently, all legal activity with regards to copyright infringement are of civil nature and only susceptible to financial remediation (fines).

You can not be put in jail for distributing copyrighted works for free.

You can not be put in jail for receiving copyrighted works for free.

Lastly, the FBI would be well outside its sphere of authority to make you do anything on your computer, let alone even record what you are doing on the internet without a warrant signed by a judge.

Answer 6

It's not to illegal. But it will leave ur computer jacked up.

Answer 7

Limewire is and isn't illegal. It basically depends on what you download. It's illegal if you download pirated/copyrighted software, or download freeware that normally costs money.

Answer 8

Limewire is highly illegal and yes many government agencies can find out who downloads what but I don't know about the whole government freezing up his computer...hope that helps!

Answer 9

i been using frostwire (newer version of limewire) and limewire for a while like sum yrs and nuthin ever happen to me but its illegal

idk wat ta say bout wat ur dad says....