Is downloading music for free still illegal?

Question

Like a lot of people I know do and it's not like I'm seeing people getting arrested or anything for it. I've actually never heard of anyone getting in trouble. If it is still ilegal how would you get in trouble do they like come to your house and handcuff you or something?

Answer 1

Yes/No.  Depends if the song has a copyright.  Also some artist  have free songs on their website.  Otherwise, yup still illegal.

Answer 2

You are referring to music p****y and yes this is illegal. However in the UK at least it is not criminal as such. If somebody knows you are doing it and they call the cops they are not going to kick in your door and arrest you. This sort of thing is a violation of civil law (i.e contracts, business, etc). Given the fact that hundreds of thousands of people do it, you will most likely get away with it. Record companies are however hitting back by pursuing individuals and making examples of them. If you are unlucky to be one of these few then you can expect to be summonsed to court, tried and if convicted be presented with a fine. Most likely you would pay the costs of the record companys' lawyers and you would be bankrupted, meaning that pretty much everything you own would be confiscated and sold. Unless you are downloading zillions of tunes or are very unlucky, this is not very likely to happen.

Answer 3

While my friend was in the middle of downloading music with limewire, a SWAT team came into his house and shot him in the back of the head, it was in all the papers.  

Answer 4

depends if you are selling the songs that you download

Answer 5

RAPIDSHARE

Answer 6

Yes, it is still illegal.