by 
The Curious Bag
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: The Program Is Legal
LimeWire is legal if it is not used illegally. Peer-to-peer programs were originally intended as a way for independent artists to distribute their works quickly to a wide audience. As long as an artist gives permission for his or her works to be shared, doing so is legal.
On the Other: Copyright Infrigement Is Illegal
Most users on peer-to-peer networks such as LimeWire use the programs to download and share copyright-protected files in order to avoid paying for them. This is illegal. According to the University of Pittsburgh, those who infringe on a copyright can be held liable for $30,000 to $150,000 for each copyrighted work.
Bottom Line
Using LimeWire to download or distribute copyrighted works can get you in trouble. According to California State University, Chico, you may unknowingly be illegally sharing files just by having the program installed on your computer. The university recommends staying away from these programs.
Source:
University of Pittsburgh: Illegal File Sharing
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