Limewire software piracy

The OP there is clearly using it for teh warez and is, rather ironically, complaining that he's getting virii from it. Ergo, it deserved to be closed. That question is essentially a rant complaining about trojans on Limewire. The "question" is asking if there is anywhere else to obtain a piece of software. I can't think of any legitimate reason you'd want to obtain freely available software through Limewire instead of through other means. The only logical conclusion is that the asker is indeed a pirate.

If he wants to know where to obtain any particular software package, he should mention that software in his question, if only to lend legitimacy to the question. For the record, I pay for software I deem worthy of purchase.

All of which I have the original CD's and or serial numbers for. I even paid for a program called Matter of Time, which is my homepage. I also pay an annual fee to a website called Weather Underground, just to have the privilege of using their website throughout the year. To be labeled a thief by user "Molly" was highly offensive to me.

I am fully aware of the risks and reputation of Limewire. On the rare occasion I cannot find the website of a particular program I'm interested in, as a last resort I would search for it on Limewire. I have downloaded less than half a dozen files from Limewire, all of which contained Trojans. My question was a simple two parter. Do all files downloaded from Limewire contain Trojans and where would be a better place to look.

My question was not referring to any program in particular. In less than a blink of an eye, without answering the question at all, Molly wrote "how about buying your software! She doesn't even know me, or anything about me. And when someone attacks my character, I'm not going to sit idly by and take it.

She replied with another snide nasty retort similar to the one she just gave me on this forum. I was really taken aback by he response. I had never been subjected to that kind of attack before, even though I've been on the internet for many years. Then out of the blue she pops up here. All I was looking for was a response given by user " dbr " which got my checkmark and received seven up votes. Looking at her record on this forum, I notice she has given answers, but never asked a question, which to me is a red flag in itself.

It tells me she feels she has all the answers and doesn't need advice from anyone. What a pity. I don't go through one day without learning something new about my computer. And this from a person who's first computer was a Radio Shack Model 1. That should tell you I've been tinkering with these things since the late 70's. So they're 14 up Limewire in itself does not equal piracy. This is because Limewire can be used to share legitimate files.

If someone asks a question about Limewire, and does not allude to any piracy, I think it would be both rude and presumptuous to assume that the person in question is a pirate.

I'm not kidding myself here, I'm pretty sure that this person is likely to use it for less than wonderful means, however who are we to assume that someone is automatically a pirate simply because they use limewire? That's like assuming that everyone who owns a balaclava is a thief or burglar. Just not the case. I think that Limewire, like any other possibly sensitive topic, should be handled on a case by case basis.

Just as there are legitimate purposes for the use of Bittorrent, there are legitimate uses for Limewire, and even the balaclava. Assuming that the question does not explicitly state that someone is engaging in piracy, I think it may sometimes be appropriate to answer someones question. A while back a similar question came up in regards to answering questions Stack Overflow that may or may not be used for malicious means e. A script for bulk mailing for be for spam, or for opt-in newsletters.

Likewise, I could see a situation like this were a user might just be looking for something in the realm of abandonware or they might just be misinformed about something. For example, if someone asked the following:. I've been told I can get [name of newly released game] for free on the internet, where can I find it? Should the question be closed because they are asking for help in pirating something, or should they just get a short answer saying that to the best of the posters knowledge the software isn't free and that what they are asking to do is illegal and greatly increases their chances of getting a malware infection on their computer?

Granted it might get a bit trying to have to keep telling people that they shouldn't be doing that, but in the long run it might also help to educate users. Perhaps there is a way that we can add a canned "That is a bad idea" type lock and link to the FAQ that moderators can use? Graduate Quantum as an Undergrad Aug 01, PF5 Problems and Errors Aug 01, Related Stories. Judge slashes 'monstrous' fine in music piracy case Jan 25, Jun 19, Feb 22, Industry wants to ban Minn.

May 04, May 19, Recommended for you. European Parliament adopts copyright reform in blow to big tech Mar 26, Mar 12, Nov 20, Nov 05, Load comments 0. Let us know if there is a problem with our content. Your message to the editors. Your email only if you want to be contacted back. Send Feedback. Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Many freeware alternatives are available to satisfy the software sweet tooth, and they are almost all a safer bet than poached serial codes and keygens.

Would gun sellers enjoy "Freedom of Press" protections if they offered catalogs demonstrating the ease of use of the Handguns being Sold for engaging in criminal activities such as robbing stores or banks. Then offering Solutions to specifically cover up your crime. As for Alki David, he's just as agitated. Today, David announced that he would seek more artists for his lawsuit, pledging that "it will become the most significant copyright infringement lawsuit in history.

The entire case is bizarre mishmash of conflicting loyalties.