Is ther any catch with Rapidshare ?

[kelfoan]

Just come across Rapidshare, where you can download music from well known bands free of charge. Is this legal for me to do. Is there any catch?

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

There are (at least) two 'Rapidshare' services:

Rapidshare.com is a file-hosting service. It's used, for example, by people who want to send files to a friend (or group of friends) which are too big to be sent by email. The user uploads the files to the site and then provides the recipients with links to access the files. The site is not searchable so, unless someone provides you with a link, you can't download anything from it.

Rapidshare.org does not host any files on its own servers. It simply provides the user with 'peer-to-peer' file-sharing software. It also provides members with so-called 'support' (which hardly anyone would ever need to use, but is how they justify charging you to join). The file-sharing software accesses the same networks as programs like Limewire do. So basically, you're getting something similar to Limewire (which is available in a free version) but paying for it.

[Buenchico]

Downloading copyright material (without the permission of the copyright holder) is always a civil offence (for which you can be sued but not prosecuted). i.e. it's always illegal. (Under certain circumstances, downloading can also be a criminal offence. This is when it's done for the purposes of gain or when it's done on such a large scale that it would be to the serious detriment of the copyright owners).

However, the way file-sharing software works is that you not only download files but you also make files, on your own PC, available for others to download. This counts as 'distribution', which is a criminal offence (as well as a civil one). That means that you can be prosecuted, fined and given a criminal record (as well as being sued for the civil offence).

Chris

[Velvetee]

Don't think so, my partner's always uploading porn from there.

It should be legal, as it's like Limewire, where people are just sharing their own files.

[boobesque]

The legality of rapidshare depends entirely on what you are downloading. Regardless of whether it's the p2p program or the website, if i make a video and share it with you it is not illegal for you to download (unless i copyright it), however downloading copyrighted material, such as most music, is.

[daffy654]

Also the porn that your partner is downloading will also be copyrighted Velvetee,that means he is breaking the law by downloading and sharing it with other rapidshare users.

[Ethel]

Velvetee - sharing files that are subject to copyright is not legal.

Got a spare �16000?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology/2008/0 8/19/woman-ordered-to-pay-16-000-penalty-for-f ile-sharing-computer-game-115875-20703520/

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/t ech_and_web/article721133.ece