Is downloading on Lime Wire really stealing?

just wondering if i need to feel bad or not.

:shrug:

If yes, feel bad
If no, don't feel bad

Is receiving a mix tape stealing? Is buying used CD's stealing? There are a lot of grey areas.

Unfortunately, the music business is slow to make it easy to do the right thing. In this case, that means a good product, easily accessible, at a good price. They are paying dearly for the consumer cynicism engendered during the CD price-gouging era.

in each person's case it's different. I never feel particularly guilty downloading things, because I'm downloading things for myself, and not for profit. I get angry at people who abuse copyrights by claiming something is their creation or whatever and then profiting from it, though. I never would sell anything I downloaded, but what I end up downloading isn't going further than me in the end.

However, if you discover an artist or an album you really like - go out and buy it.

I've found some of the coolest music because of downloading (and I'm not a huge music downloader) and as a result have purchased many more cds.

Try to buy directly from the artist's site too, if you can.

You are downloading a copy of material, not the actual material. The courts have yet to decide definitively if this is "stealing" or not.

On a pure technicality, you may NOT be stealing.

This is not to say I condone such actions, but as the law stands, the illegal action is by those who make the copy, not those who receive the copy through digital means. The only way the RIAA has been able to sue people is through questionable lawsuits and through extortion and racketeering tactics.

Technically, at the moment, no, what you are doing is not stealing. But that doesn't mean it isn't unethical.

Note, not returning an extra $10 a cashier gives you is not illegal, but it is unethical.

Until then, I ain't sayin' NUTHIN'. :evilgrin:

but honestly, who cares? Not me. If you want to feel good about downloading, go to www.allofmp3.com (the english button is the top left). It's legit, google it. I think I spent a buck 75 for a whole CD.