LimeWire - File Sharing

Category: File Sharing , Software

"My kids are using something called LimeWire to download music and videos. They call it a a P2P file sharing program. Can you explain what that means, and how safe it is to use?"

What is LimeWire?

limewire file sharing Limewire is a free file sharing program, which allows individual users on the Internet to make music, video and other files available for direct access by other users. Limewire also allows a user to search for desired content on other users' computers and download those files.

limewire file sharing Unlike the now-defunct Napster, no centralized server or website is used to store files. Limewire directly transfers files from the hard drive of one user (peer) to the hard drive of another user, hence the term "peer-to-peer" or P2P file sharing is used. Given that understanding, it's more accurate to say that a file is being "transferred" instead of "downloaded" in the context of P2P applications.

LimeWire allows you to share or access any file type such as MP3 (music), AVI/MPEG (video), JPG (photo), etc. Because it is written in the cross-platform Java programming language, it will run on Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and other operating systems. Some of the features that make LimeWire a popular file sharing application are:

  • Ability to search by artist, title, or genre
  • "Swarm" downloads from multiple computers speed transfers
  • iTunes integration for Mac and Windows users
  • Integrated chat

Is LimeWire Safe and Legal?

On their website, the LimeWire developers claim that "LimeWire has absolutely no spyware or adware. Zero. None. We do not bundle any other software with LimeWire." My testing has shown this to be true. I installed LimeWire on a test machine, then after using it for a few days, I did thorough scans with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. I also examined all the startup tasks, active programs, browser helper objects and other possible points of infiltration.

LimeWire gets a clean bill of health, in terms of freedom from viruses and spyware, and uninstalls cleanly if you no longer want the software on your computer. But is it safe to use LimeWire? And is peer-to-peer file sharing legal?

Copyright and Copy Wrongs

That all depends on what you do with the software. Some artists make their music freely available on file sharing services, in order to gain exposure or because they just want to give it away for free. Obtaining music on those terms via LimeWire or a similar P2P service is perfectly legal and even encouraged.

But copyright laws protect the creators of original works, such as music, movies, photos and artwork. Individuals who reproduce, distribute, or receive copies without the consent of the owners may be in violation of copyright laws. To put that more plainly, and in context: if you copy commercially available music or video files to your computer without paying for it, you're probably breaking the law. Even more bluntly, sometimes "sharing" is the same as "stealing."

Why do I say "probably?" Because there are some exceptions to the rule. If you don't own U2's "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" CD, and you download all the songs to your computer without paying for them, you are clearly stealing, and depriving the artists of their rightful recompense. But what if you bought the CD, and it melted on the dashboard of your car, or the dog chewed on it? In such circumstances, I would have no moral or ethical problem with using a P2P service to obtain those tracks, and burn a new CD.

Some people who disagree make the "crystal vase" counter argument. If you own a beautiful crystal vase, and it falls to the floors and shatters, you just can't fix it. And you have no right to go back to the store and demand a replacement... you have to buy a new one. So if your CD is damaged, they say, you should have to BUY a replacement copy. But this argument fails to take into account some important distinctions. Clearly to produce a copy of the vase, there are real costs involved: materials, labor, packaging, marketing, distribution, and retailing. But a digital download of a song you've already purchased doesn't cost or deprive the artist or the record company at all.

File Sharing Risks

EVery time someone downloads a song without paying for it, a bell rings. And the deep creases in the frowning faces of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) executives grow deeper. The RIAA has been known to aggressively pursue individuals suspected of music piracy, filing lawsuits and demanding the payment of steep fines. In some cases, they have demanded ISP records or posed as fellow file-sharers to root out violators. So be forewarned, the cost of "free" music downloads may be higher than you anticipate.

In addition to the legal risks, the use of file-sharing programs may accidentally allow others to copy private files you never intended to share. In LimeWire, you can check which files you’re sharing by clicking on the Library tab. It's a good idea to check this whenever you fire up LimeWire, to make sure that you're not sharing your tax returns, family photos and love letters.

It's also possible to unwittingly download a virus, spyware, child pornography or facilitate a security breach. Mislabeled files can hide malicious content, so use anti-virus and anti-spyware software to protect your computer. See Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software? to get my recommendations for the best free anti-malware protection. And be extra cautious when downloading executable files with extensions such as EXE, SCR, LNK, BAT, VBS, and DLL. LimeWire will not launch these files, but they can be opened outside of LimeWire.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends that parents talk with family members about file-sharing. Here are some of the cautions they offer:

Parents may not be aware that their children have downloaded file-sharing software on the family computer and that they may have exchanged games, videos, music, pornography, or other material that may be inappropriate for them. Also, because other peoples' files sometimes are mislabeled, kids unintentionally may download these files. In addition, kids may not understand the security and other risks involved with file-sharing and may install the software incorrectly, giving anyone on the Internet access to the family's private computer files.

Got something to add to this discussion of LimeWire and file sharing? Post your comments below.


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Posted by Bob Rankin on September 14, 2006 09:47 PM


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Related Keywords: File Sharing   limeware   file sharing   p2p  

Most recent comments on "LimeWire - File Sharing"

(See all 62 comments for this article.)

Posted by:
Ryan
04 Oct 2007

I have some pictures and videos i would like to put on limewire, how do i get them on there?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If I understand it correctly, you just put them in your Limewire sharing folder.


Posted by:
Aviatrix
13 Oct 2007

Seeing as this topic seems to be still active, I'll add in that I just installed iTunes and found a file sharing link on my desktop, full of "Josh's Limewire Songs." The thing is, I'm not exactly using a networked computer. I'm using a laptop in a hotel room, connected to hotel wireless. I suppose Josh is another guest.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you are connected via wireless, then you ARE on a network. Be sure you're not sharing more than you want to! See http://askbobrankin.com/is_public_wifi_access_safe.html


Posted by:
Michael
18 Oct 2007

I have recently bought a new PC and copied my music library from the old HDD and downloaded the latest I-Tunes. Some of my songs show an ! mark and state that the file could not be found as it is (believed to be) on Limewire. How do I find and migrate my Limewire tunes to my new PC from my old HDD? I have not yet downloaded Limewire to my new PC. Should I do this or can I copy from my old HDD?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, install a fresh copy of Limewire on the new drive, don't try to copy a program like that. To import Limewire songs into iTunes, you should be able to go into ITunes, click on File, then use the "Add folder/file to library" option. Navigate to the Limewire music folder and it should work.


Posted by:
Michael
19 Oct 2007

All successfully downloaded re your last advice -thanks. However... I cannot find the L/Wire music file anywhere. I have my old HDD connected thro' an IDE connection as a 'slave'. I assume the songs must be there somewhere. Can you tell me what file ext it is likely to be under and where it may be? I can see no files over 1GB but know i have over 6K songs somewhere at a lot more than 1GB!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'd look for a folder called Limewire, and drill down from there. Failing that, search for MP3 or WMA files.


Posted by:
Kelly
26 Nov 2007

I am just using Limewire for my personal use. I have songs that I want to put on myspace that are on CD's that I bought. I am creating my own playlist. That is the only reason that I am using Limewire.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Using Limewire as a music manager for one's personal collection is a fine idea. However, uploading copyrighted songs to the Web does run afoul of the law -- be careful of that.


Posted by:
trytoguessmyip..jokes
06 Dec 2007

very informative article.and thank you about the warning about how the "RIAA" can use "free music"to track people down..but theres one thing id like to know..i use limewire and i wanted to know if anybody can see my ip thru limewire>if so how do i overcome it.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I wonder why you would care? Maybe try anonymizer.com if it concerns you.


Posted by:
neka
08 Jan 2008

I'm using Limewire on the Windows Vista OS. There are 2 users on my computer, is there anyway to share one Library with the other user? All the files saved are not accessable to the other user how do i fix this?... please help, thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm pretty sure the Limewire settings allow you to change the library folder name.


Posted by:
couldbeproblamatic
15 Jan 2008

My friend downloaded a mpg file and it will not delete said it is running in another program. Yet, I am unable to find it. How do I delete it?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Perhaps restarting your computer will free up the file.


Posted by:
Vickers4life
22 Mar 2008

I'm really scared for my best friend because she has been using limewire for a while and I'm afraid she'll get sued. If she just deletes the program and gets rid of all the songs will she be okay, or will there still be consequences? I'm really worried that she will get sued, is there a validity to my worrying or not?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, I think there is some validity to your concerns -- IF she has been downloading copyrighted music. And especially if she has configured Limewire to "share" those downloaded songs with others. Deleting the music and the software is a good pro-active step.


Posted by:
Vickers4life
25 Mar 2008

She just recently deleted it, but never checked to see if she was sharing downloads. She downloaded about 100 or so songs and she feels really guilty about it and really doesn't want to get sued. She has gotten rid of all the songs and the limewire software, but could it still be sharing her files? Thanks for your help!

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you deleted the software, you are no longer sharing files.


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