Help with music on the Web?

Ok I'm pretty ignorant on this subject, so what's the deal with music downloading on the web? Are those music sharing network softwares illegal (or at least the music you get from them)? If so, what's the actual risk of getting prosecuted and/or sued? What about the ones that you pay by the song?

My girlfriend recently got Limewire in particular, but I'm wary of using it much until I find out more about it.

yep they are what all the fuss is about. Unless you are paying for the tune, it is illegal and in the US you are liable for prosecution by the RIAA etc etc.

The programs are not illegal the same way a gun is not illegal !! It is what you choose to do with it that can land you in the doo doo !!

If you want to do it legally, check out iTunes store or RealNetworks or Nabster (a reformed character) or MP3.com.

They will charge you about a buck a song.

Well,I wouldn't recommend downloading entire albums or anything...If I can't find a song that i'm told I MUST hear or a band I want to hear first before buying an album,then I use "******".If I like the tune,then i'll buy the album.

those people that get in trouble have 1000's of songs and none of the albums.

Sorry for the edit Chuck

However we just cant be seen to be advocating, helping or passing out urls etc to sites that mediate p2p file sharing.

This is not my rule and it exists to keep GT out of the RIAAs line of fire as we just don't want to be shut down.

So, please discuss file sharing but don't be putting in links etc naming names etc.

Thanks

Simon