limewire, torrents, p2p, what do you think?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gene R
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Gene R

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p2p means limewire, morpheus, emule, torrents, etc.

by now i've seen more than a few p2p related questions, and answers.

many people hastily bash and ridicule p2p users, stating that p2p is illegal, immoral, etc. this post is as much about getting these people to stop and think that there may be legitimate uses for p2p, or at least give them a chance to express their opinions.

i intend to award best answer to someone who puts some thought into their reply.

what are your thoughts on the following scenarios. for each scenario please answer these 23 questions:
"is this ok"?
"is this legal"?
"if a close personal relative, like a parent, asked for your help with this, would you help them?

--in the usa--

record over-the-air broadcast media (e.g. fm radio, vhf/uhf television) for personal use?

copy your cds / dvds for personal use (audio cd to mp3 player, vhs tape to dvd, etc.)?

***1000 character limit to questions. i'll post the rest of my question in comments***
continued...

get copies (for personal use) of your cds / dvds through some other means? for example, you have no way to view a dvd on your laptop, what about downloading the same title?

make personal backup copies of cds / dvds?

--in a country where copying and sharing cds / dvds is legal--

person located in such a country to receive related technical assistance from someone located in the usa?

a usa citizen while visiting that country downloads copyrighted material?

what if that person still has the media in their possession when they re-enter the usa (e.g. mp3 file on hard drive).

what are your opinions and why? i'm eager to see your answers!

thanks :)
sorry all, my question got mangled during posting. it's 3 questions for each scenario, not 23 questions :)

alomi_revolution: thanks for your answer. what do you think about ripping a cd you bought to mp3s and then putting those mp3s on your mp3 player? what if you downloaded the same mp3s instead of ripping them yourself?

s.h. rooms: cute name, lol. thanks for your answer. do you think it's ok to lend assistance someone who is using p2p legally, even if way they're using p2p is against the laws where you live?

roo2: thanks for your answer. you're right, many of these scenarios are legal (or should be, imho), but some hit the gray area and i really would like to see some thoughtful answers on the gray area issues. like, do you see anything wrong with a us citizen downloading pirated media while in a country where that's legal?
 
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alomi_revolution

Guest
It's illegal (breach of intellectual property law), but outside of legal matters I think it's ok. You're not exactly stealing a physical thing off another person, you're just making a copy for yourself while letting the original owner still run shop.

I'd gladly copy a rental / backup or record off broadcast media for a friend / family / personal use. But it does take some effort. If RIAA & that crap come in blazing with guns and slap hefty fines on people that might just change my mind!
 
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