I'm not in America. I use Limewire a lot for downloading music.

Basic question is this:
1. Is the mere act of downloading music from Limewire illegal?

2. Can the RIAA chase you even if you're not in America?

That's basically it.

thanks!

lastdodobird

Answer 1: Only Uploading or downloading copyright material (music, software, films, etc) without any recompense to the copyright owners is illegal.

That is, you can buy copyright downloaded music (from Amazon, Napster, Tescos, etc.) but your not suppose to give it away.

Answer 2: No they can't, it is simply outside of their jurisdiction but remember most countries have their own RIAA equivalent which performs the same job (catching uploaders and downloaders), e.g. the UK has the BPI (British Phonographic Industry).



UK Bob

PS. Sometimes the RIAA behaves as if it can go into other countries but this is all “empty blustering” on their part.

Has anyone experienced any harrassment from the RIAA or the like yet? i haven't but I suspect it won't be long, I've amassed quite a collection here. Personally, I'm looking forward to the fight!

i'm not but hopefully no one goes after downloaders on this side of the world

PHONOGRAPHIC CLAIMS TO WORK IN CONJUCTION WITH THE U.S. BUT THEIR RESOURCES FALL FAR SHORT OF THEIR AMBITIONS. THERE CAN BE NO "CHASING DOWN" IF YOUR USING LIMEWIRE. LIMEWIRE IS NOT OWNED. EACH INDIVIDUAL USER OF LIMEWIRE ACTS AS THE HOST SERVER. WITH COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF USERS, WHERE WOULD THE GOVERNMENT START? THE LAW PASSED THIS LAST MAY STATES THAT ANYONE SHARING OVER 6 THOUSAND FILES AT ANY GIVEN TIME CAN FACE UP TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON. THAT'S "6" THOUSAND! DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEIR WINNING THE BATTLE. I HARASS GLICKMAN AND HIS TYPES THROUGH EMAIL ALL THE TIME. I PROVIDE "ALL" OF MY PERSONAL INFORMATION IN MY EMAILS AND A COPY OF MY HARD DISK. TO DATE, NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. THEY ARE FULL OF **** AND DON'T SCARE ME. FILE SHARING HAS GONE TOO FAR TO BE STOPPED. SO FEAR NOT.

I dunno, I'm way past the 6K limit, so I'm keeping an eye out on the "Men In Black", so to speak. Does anyone know if there's a defense fund set up to help individuals who are persecuted?

AFAIK Yes there is. And a link to it is listed on the forum somewhere.

Good to know, I may need their assistance one day! Thanks LOTR, I'll look for that link...

there is a grey area around the downloading of copy righted files.
in fact its a black one. riaa know it as do everyone else but they pretend they dont.

is it illegal to download a file if i own it already and how would they prove i did not?