P2P... Are all P2P sites illegal etc??

[raelgrin]

Hey,
Are all P2P sites illegal to use/download??
Limewire has gone...
Thanks,
Rach xx

[Buenchico]

DOWNLOADING music and video files, without the permission of the copyright owner (or without paying to obtain such permission) is a civil offence, for which you can be sued (but not fined or imprisoned - unless you do so on a very large scale or by way of business).

However the way that P2P systems work is that files on your own computer are made available for others to access. That's UPLOADING or, as the law defines it 'DISTRIBUTION'. As well as being a civil offence (for which you can be sued), it's also a criminal offence (which can lead to fines or imprisonment).

Most of the prominent legal cases have occurred in the USA:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8478305.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7029229.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8177285.stm

In the UK, most users normally agree to make a nominal payment (often in the region of £1000 to £2000) rather than face court action.

Chris

[Buenchico]

NB: Spotify is completely legal (as long as you abide by the rules).

It works as an online juke box, allowing you to play any of over 10 million tracks upon demand. However they're 'streamed' to your computer, not downloaded as files which can save on your computer. (If you try to get round the system, by finding a way of saving the music onto your hard drive, you'll still be breaking the law).

[Buenchico]

Oops!

I forgot the link:
http://www.spotify.com/uk/new-user/

[raelgrin]

Yep I understand now... Thank you :) xx