Bittorrents & Warez.., are they legal?
Monday, October 30, 2006 by TYCUS | Discussion: Living in Cyberspace
u all know that getting softwares, movies, music and even books for free is illegal.., so what about bittorrents and warez searchers? are they legal at all? i mean, Limewire is one of the most popular bittorrents., and it is in there at downlaod.com..., i'm confused 
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Adamness
Reply #2 Monday, October 30, 2006 11:38 PM
Reply #2 Monday, October 30, 2006 11:38 PM
Limewire is a p2p networking software, but isn't quite the same as Bittorrent. They're two different technologies. At any rate, most of the stuff transferred on those networks are pirated software, movies and music. The technology itself is perfectly legal, as it just allows efficient file transfer. The problem is the files being transferred.
Most p2p software comes with a disclaimer and warning that they can't be held responsible for what's transferred on their networks, and people should only transfer legal files. Since there is no oversight of the networks, and since the networks were essentially created to allow the transfer of pirated files, there is no stopping the pirates/thiefs.
The mentality seems to be that bit torrent allows for quick, easy and relatively anonymous piracy. If you ask the users themselves, they seem to be resentful of software companies, record labels, movie studios, the RIAA and MPAA. In their minds, that makes it okay to engage in piracy and that they're 'sticking it to the man.' While many software companies, movie and music related organizations aren't the nicest groups out there, it doesn't change the fact that piracy is illegal.
Most p2p software comes with a disclaimer and warning that they can't be held responsible for what's transferred on their networks, and people should only transfer legal files. Since there is no oversight of the networks, and since the networks were essentially created to allow the transfer of pirated files, there is no stopping the pirates/thiefs.
The mentality seems to be that bit torrent allows for quick, easy and relatively anonymous piracy. If you ask the users themselves, they seem to be resentful of software companies, record labels, movie studios, the RIAA and MPAA. In their minds, that makes it okay to engage in piracy and that they're 'sticking it to the man.' While many software companies, movie and music related organizations aren't the nicest groups out there, it doesn't change the fact that piracy is illegal.
Bandit4edu
Reply #3 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 10:06 AM
and the fact that this is a MAJOR WAY to invite spyware/malware/viruses into your lil' ol' machine
Reply #3 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 10:06 AM
| most of the stuff transferred on those networks are pirated software, movies and music. The technology itself is perfectly legal, as it just allows efficient file transfer. The problem is the files being transferred. |
and the fact that this is a MAJOR WAY to invite spyware/malware/viruses into your lil' ol' machine
Threi
Reply #4 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 10:39 AM
if you are stupid and run 24.5kb files that say "WINDOWS VISTA FULL VERSION ISO + CRACK"
Reply #4 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 10:39 AM
| and the fact that this is a MAJOR WAY to invite spyware/malware/viruses into your lil' ol' machine |
if you are stupid and run 24.5kb files that say "WINDOWS VISTA FULL VERSION ISO + CRACK"
Zoomba
Reply #5 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 10:41 AM
Reply #5 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 10:41 AM
It gets very fuzzy. Technically, so long as they do not host content themselves and merely point to other sites for everything, they're not directly infringing. They are however engaging in contributory infringment which is also a crime. They try and hide by saying "for educational purposes only" or other disclaimers, but with bittorrent sites and such that list pirated content exclusively, they have very little ground to stand on.
P2P technology is not in itself illegal. Bittorrent is used for legit purposes. A good analogy is how a telephone can allow you to conduct illegal business. The telephone itself is not an illegal tool, nor is the phone line that allows the illegal act to happen, illegal. It's how you USE the technology that can be legal or illegal.
P2P technology is not in itself illegal. Bittorrent is used for legit purposes. A good analogy is how a telephone can allow you to conduct illegal business. The telephone itself is not an illegal tool, nor is the phone line that allows the illegal act to happen, illegal. It's how you USE the technology that can be legal or illegal.
thomassen
Reply #6 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 5:06 PM
Reply #6 Wednesday, November 1, 2006 5:06 PM
Bittorrent is legal. It's just another way of peer-to-peer sharing. However the content transfered might be illegal.
Warez is illegal. It's a word used for pirated software.
Warez is illegal. It's a word used for pirated software.
Diamond Panther
Reply #7 Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:19 PM
Reply #7 Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:19 PM
the word "Warez" kinda means pirated software... so i guess a yes to that part...
But as far as the software used goes it isn't illegal at all, the content that is shared is what comes under copyright.
As was said above, Bit Torrent and Limewire are different networks of P2P users, although the newest versions of Limewire support connecting to the Bit Torrent network.
The question you asked tho is one major concern with those largeish American Anti-Piracy Groups that are all over web news (well they where, died a bit in the last month or two but they will be back), the ones that going after all the Bit-Torrent providers and are trying to do location traces on Limewire sharers, they are killing a technology that has nothing to do with what is being shared on it, for example there are a good many very legal Torrent providers around that are still catching fire from these groups.
In fact Bit Torrent is great for spreading content that is created and sold over the net, or that people give away for free (read Open Source and free meida), that would other wise never get distributed as the creators can't afford distribution.
More then a few tech groups; peer guardian, Slashdot and Wired to name just a few, have all had articles up over the last 6 to 8 months talking about the very real concern that these piracy groups that are just trying to 'help' us could easily do to next generation internet development if they are able to pass some of the crap they are trying too.
and with that...
/rant
but seriously go check out the articles, they are a good read to boot
But as far as the software used goes it isn't illegal at all, the content that is shared is what comes under copyright.
As was said above, Bit Torrent and Limewire are different networks of P2P users, although the newest versions of Limewire support connecting to the Bit Torrent network.
The question you asked tho is one major concern with those largeish American Anti-Piracy Groups that are all over web news (well they where, died a bit in the last month or two but they will be back), the ones that going after all the Bit-Torrent providers and are trying to do location traces on Limewire sharers, they are killing a technology that has nothing to do with what is being shared on it, for example there are a good many very legal Torrent providers around that are still catching fire from these groups.
In fact Bit Torrent is great for spreading content that is created and sold over the net, or that people give away for free (read Open Source and free meida), that would other wise never get distributed as the creators can't afford distribution.
More then a few tech groups; peer guardian, Slashdot and Wired to name just a few, have all had articles up over the last 6 to 8 months talking about the very real concern that these piracy groups that are just trying to 'help' us could easily do to next generation internet development if they are able to pass some of the crap they are trying too.
and with that...
/rant
but seriously go check out the articles, they are a good read to boot
messiah1
Reply #8 Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:28 PM
That is a good analogy.
Reply #8 Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:28 PM
A good analogy is how a telephone can allow you to conduct illegal business. The telephone itself is not an illegal tool, nor is the phone line that allows the illegal act to happen, illegal. It's how you USE the technology that can be legal or illegal.
That is a good analogy.
NightTrainthedark
Reply #9 Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:14 AM
Reply #9 Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:14 AM
I heard that back in '98 a person actually used p2p to transfer a file legally. 
Diamond Panther
Reply #10 Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:45 AM
Reply #10 Wednesday, January 16, 2008 6:45 AM
the new version of Azureus, a bit torrent client for those of you that dont know this already , named 'Vuze' has a heap of legal content... only some of it is good... but its still legal 
, named 'Vuze' has a heap of legal content... only some of it is good... but its still legal 
Zellio
Reply #11 Sunday, March 30, 2008 7:34 AM
Reply #11 Sunday, March 30, 2008 7:34 AM
Limewire is a portal for Viruses trojans and rootkits.
Jafo
Reply #12 Sunday, March 30, 2008 7:40 AM
Reply #12 Sunday, March 30, 2008 7:40 AM
I heard that back in '98 a person actually used p2p to transfer a file legally.
Urban legend.....
MetalHellssAngel
Reply #13 Sunday, March 30, 2008 8:52 AM
Reply #13 Sunday, March 30, 2008 8:52 AM
I recently read an article (WWW Link) about a man who came up with the idea to have ISP's charge user's a $5.00 a month "Tax" for access to all the music you want to download, it sounds like a great idea I wonder if the labels and ISP's would bite?
Nimbin
Reply #14 Sunday, March 30, 2008 9:15 AM
the latest version of limewire pro now has the ability to download using torrents.
Still unless you actually pay for the software you are downloading, using this and other
types of programs to download warez and torrents is illegal.
it's really not worth the hassle as you are at extreme risk of viruses and trojans when
you download this stuff.
The money you pay for legal copies of programs more than outweighs the risk and the time it
takes to clean an infected system of nasties.
Reply #14 Sunday, March 30, 2008 9:15 AM
Limewire isn't a torrent software.
the latest version of limewire pro now has the ability to download using torrents.
Still unless you actually pay for the software you are downloading, using this and other
types of programs to download warez and torrents is illegal.
it's really not worth the hassle as you are at extreme risk of viruses and trojans when
you download this stuff.
The money you pay for legal copies of programs more than outweighs the risk and the time it
takes to clean an infected system of nasties.
WOM
Reply #15 Sunday, March 30, 2008 9:57 AM
Reply #15 Sunday, March 30, 2008 9:57 AM
I wonder how many more ways will be said that its illegal to rip off stuff without paying? 
Snowman
Reply #16 Sunday, March 30, 2008 10:56 AM
Reply #16 Sunday, March 30, 2008 10:56 AM
I heard that back in '98 a person actually used p2p to transfer a file legally.
Urban legend
Some software companies actually use BT as an option for downloading updates for their applications (Drivers etc etc)
Great way of saving bandwidth costs.
Leo the Lion
Reply #17 Sunday, March 30, 2008 11:35 AM
Reply #17 Sunday, March 30, 2008 11:35 AM
Some countries, like the UK and France, are actually putting pressure on the ISP's to stop the torrent networks and I believe in the case of the UK that the government are seriously thinking about legislation. Over here in the US, Comcast have been having quite a battle with customers and BitTorrent and there has been an intersting developement in the last week which is worth reading here
zakai1369
Reply #18 Sunday, March 30, 2008 11:37 AM
Reply #18 Sunday, March 30, 2008 11:37 AM
There are some lesser known musicians out there also starting to use torrent files to distribute their music for free in order to gain recognition.
Along with the fact that if people used it the right way it is a good way to be able to distribute large files of say home videos or pictures to family and friends without having to catch up with each one online one at a time and send it to them through messenger services.
Along with the fact that if people used it the right way it is a good way to be able to distribute large files of say home videos or pictures to family and friends without having to catch up with each one online one at a time and send it to them through messenger services.
Leo the Lion
Reply #19 Sunday, March 30, 2008 4:16 PM
Reply #19 Sunday, March 30, 2008 4:16 PM
And it looks like one of the biggest ISP's in the UK, Virgin, are going to crack down on the Pirates. This came out today WWW Link
But, of course, they would. They are one of the biggest entertainment outlets so they must be losing huge amounts of revenue in just CD sales alone.
But, of course, they would. They are one of the biggest entertainment outlets so they must be losing huge amounts of revenue in just CD sales alone.
Thilock
Reply #20 Friday, August 15, 2008 3:34 AM
Reply #20 Friday, August 15, 2008 3:34 AM
Use Frostwire instead Limewire if you don't want to pay for a P2P client. It's exactly the same. Frostwire is a fork of Limewire (Open Source).
But it's recommendable to use torrents instead. It's more reliable. Also use a lightweight client for bittorrent like utorrent as Azureus is a big resourcehog and a bit buggy also.
Just use these applications for legal stuff. If you don't want to pay for stuff I suggest find free alternatives, there's alot of good alternatives out there.
But it's recommendable to use torrents instead. It's more reliable. Also use a lightweight client for bittorrent like utorrent as Azureus is a big resourcehog and a bit buggy also.
Just use these applications for legal stuff. If you don't want to pay for stuff I suggest find free alternatives, there's alot of good alternatives out there.
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Reply #1 Monday, October 30, 2006 11:28 PM