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Thursday, December 9, 2010

Limewire

Limewire served as a way to download free music for your iPod. This was first noted by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) who represents the eighth major music publisher in New York. After four years in court Limewire was shut down by a federal judge who considered that the program helped users in copyrighting songs and other files illegally.

As an outcome of the ruling, Limewire has to permanently shut down and the company assets are being frozen. Limewire is also facing a $150,000 fine per violation for copyright infringement; the damage of this site could end up costing billions.

Limewire CEO George Searie said in a blog post that the company is “naturally disappointed with this turn of events,” but is “deeply committed to working with the music industry and making the act of loving music more fulfilling for everyone.”

Some Creekview students feel the shutdown of Limewire is for the best. They agree that being able to get songs for free takes away money from the recording companies and the artist. They feel that shutting this sight down was the right thing to do because copyrighting is illegal.

“You’re stealing money from the artist that you are trying to support, that does not make any sense,” junior Rachel exclaimed.

Others, on the other hand, feel that it is no different than getting songs from your friends. They think of it as sharing rather than copyrighting and that it should not be considered illegal. To many, Limewire has given a way for all kinds of artist to become well known in an easier more convenient way for teens and adults alike.

“Friends give you music all the time. I ask my friend to take my iPod home every time he gets a new song, how is that stealing?” asked junior Michael.

How do you work out the difference between what is legal and what is illegal? As of today, in the US, purchasing a CD and putting it on your iPod is legal, but what if you burn a CD from songs that you purchased and you give it to one of your friends. Is that illegal?

As a result of Limewire shutting down, many companies that provide the same types of service feel threatened that they may get shut down.
Written by: Tenniea Martin

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