Is Limewire Legal P2P File Sharing Using Gnutella Network

Is Limewire legal? This is one of the frequently asked questions that haunt the Internet users. The greatest dilemma of the users of Limewire is the question of legality mainly in case of downloading. Some people often recommend downloading music with Limewire while others advise against it on the cause that it is both illegal and unsafe to do so.

Is Limewire legal just cannot be answered that simply. First one must understand Limewire and its functionality. Limewire is a peer to peer (P2P) file sharing client which uses the Gnutella network to locate and share files. The software is free but has a paid up version, the Limewire Pro. The softwares abilities are often misused and this leads to the question of legality of the software. But in the first instance, the software is perfectly legal.

Limewire falls in the same group of software as the older Napster, WinMX, and other P2P sharing software. The users log in and share their own files as well as search for other files including music, videos, etc. The problem that really one faces is the thin dividing line between legal and illegal, which one can tread across unknowingly. So the first answer to the question – is Limewire legal? is Yes. But one must be immediately alerted that the content being shared can be illegal.

So the dilemma regarding is Limewire legal? continues. Some of the contents are absolutely legal to download or share while there are contents that are copyrighted. The sharable contents are meant for sharing and either fall in the public domain or are given free license to be used that way. It is very common for the newly launched groups to share their music online for free. So downloading such songs and videos do not throw one into the domain of illegality and one can not only enjoy the music but share it too.

But there are contents that are not freeware and are protected by copyright laws and other legal bindings. So downloading them can cause a serious breach of the laws and can invoke severe penalties. Then it seems that the answer to the question – is Limewire legal? should be no. But it is apparent as using the Limewire does not lead to prosecution but the way it is used which breached the law.

Moreover, the Limewire software does not have any facility to tell whether a song or content is copyrighted or protected otherwise. One must do a thorough personal research on the content to determine the legality and the consequences of downloading it. Unknowingly downloading any content that is protected legally can lead to serious consequences and is often the cause of the root question of – is Limewire legal? Finally it can be concluded that though Limewire is legal software one needs to be very careful while using it as it might lure one into the realms of unlawful activities. LimeWire