P2P And the Law

[Jester]

I read in a closed post someone was trying to find an alternative to kazaa because of spyware. Then the thread was closed after it being stated that kazaa as illegal. P2P programs such as Kazaa and Imesh and others are not illegal. This is what the music and movie industries are having problems with. These programs are not illegal so they cant be shut down. They are the same as sharing files over an FTP site. I share all of my free security programs on kazaa lite and a few shareware programs. It is what people CAN do with these programs that is illegal,such as downloading music or movies. If i get adaware, or Zone alarm off of kazaa I am not doing anything illigal unless of course i am getting a cracked CD key. I believe that it is perfectly within reason to make a post about an alternative to Kazaa or other such programs as ling as the origanal poster is not asking for the best "MP3 download program" Don't mean to step on anyones toes and I know this subect is confusing. I have been reading and done a number of papers on the DMCA lately and it is stagering what can and cannot be done. If this thread is viewed as trying to raise a stick or I have posted something incorectly feel free to let me know.

edit: I missed the last sentance in teh afore mention post that wanted good reliable mp3's sorry. My point is still such that there is nothing wrong with P2P programs and asking about them as long as you are not performing illegal activities

[Force Flow]

Rule 9:

NO WAREZ. NO SERIALS. NO CRACKS / CRACKING / ILLEGAL PROGRAMS. Anything that can be used in software piracy or other illegal software activities will result in a ban. [...] This also includes unreleased products. [...] Links provided to locations that offer tutorials or tips for any of these activities are also forbidden.

You are correct in stating that the programs themselves are perfectly legal; they are. And yes, the issue lays in what these programs are used for. The thread in question you mentioned was asking about good P2P programs. However, when the poster mentioned music file sharing, the issue of legality comes up when it is most often associated with the sharing of copyrighted MP3's without paying for them through a legal service, such as iTunes. Sharing a "backup" copy of ripped CDs is illegal because it violates the clause of "for personal use only", and this is where most MP3s come from.

This is a confusing set of issues, and it would be very handy if some of the regulatory associations spearheading these issues posted a list of what can and can't be done, so as easily understandable for non-laywers.

[Statica]

To add on to what FF has said, you should know that we have always allowed questions about Kazaa, Bittorrent etc P2P programs TILL the issue of usage for illegal reasons pops up.

Not that it needs clarification, but it has always been the policy on these forums, that if a thread is closed, and you require clarification about a certain rule being enforced to PLEASE PM a moderator about it.

[electricgroove]

I believe it might have been my post. Im interested in getting freeware too and share other legal anythings. Any help?