Is it illegal to download software ?

stmarcus

Hi,

With the new legislation that came in a few months ago with regards downloads, does anyone know whether this only applied for films and music ? Does it also apply for software, where software companies can also ask ISPs for info to prosecute people.

I'm asking this on behalf of a friend, who is adamant that the legislation only applies for films/music but I'm sure that it also applies for software.

Could someone please let me know.

Many thanks

withabix

It applies to anything with a copyright.

Software
Films
Music
Pron
Photos
Cartoons
TV programmes
etc

...even such things as recipes, service manuals, exam papers and the like.

If it is someone's intellectual property and they haven't authorised its free distribution, it is illegal to download it.

calvin2011

It applies for Softwares too.

lucylucky

If you pay for software often downloading it is the cheapest way.

And very "green" too as there is no packaging

If however you are nicking stuff over the internet then no, that is not okay

prowla

If the software is free then it's legal.
If it's pirated then it isn't.

DVardysShadow

Films, music, software - it is all the same. If it is available for free download with the permission of the copyright holder, then it is legal. If it does not have the copyright holder's permission, it is illegal.

totalsolutions

Switch the Internet off then. Goodnight.

debitcardmayhem

I wave the right to copyright my post for this thread only. However if you pass on my opinions then they are still my opinions unless a big corporation tries to sue me, then they are still mine and I get the option of counter sueing (doesn't look right) and I will win.

Downloading is more or less ok if the stuff is licensed for free use / and / or ... look at the license agreement.
I am not a lawyer so see paragraph 1.

If software is available on the Internet and is copyright then one caveat is certain to apply on this forum
IF YOU GET IT ILLEGALLY WE WILL (the members) ARE UNLIKELY TO BE SYMPATHETIC WHEN YOU ASK TO LOOK AT "HijackThis (c) Malwarebytes (c) etc (c(c(c))) Logs .:eek:

tronator

stmarcus wrote: »

Could someone please let me know.

You or your "friend"?

iamcornholio

Is it illegal to use any of the various methods of hiding ones IP address to avoid downloads being tracked?

tronator

iamcornholio wrote: »

Is it illegal to use any of the various methods of hiding ones IP address to avoid downloads being tracked?

Certainly not. If a download is illegal than it is illegal because of that, not the method I'm using to download. The use of a proxy etc. is of course not illegal, but it might violate the terms and conditions of the provider of the proxy, but that's another story...