Controversy and Legal issues
editAccording to a June 28, 2005, report in The New York Times, Lime Wire LLC was considering ceasing distributing LimeWire due to the outcome of MGM v. Grokster.[1] On September 25 2005, it was reported that Lime Wire LLC was working on a version of the program which will refuse to share files that lack valid license information.[2] Neither of these events occurred, and as of April 21st 2007, it is still possible to download LimeWire and share copyrighted files.
On August 4 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued LimeWire, alleging that it was profiting from unauthorized downloads.[3] On September 25 2006 LimeWire countersued the RIAA for antitrust violations.[4]
On May 12 2006, the BBC reported that "Limewire" and "Lime wire" were among search terms likely to return links to malware from an Internet search engine.[5]
CA Anti-Spyware (formerly PestPatrol) flags LimeWire as spyware, and also detects Kazaa as being installed on computers with LimeWire.
In addition, some have mistakenly posted private personal copies of business documents on LimeWire which are available through standard searches. Some found documents include credit checks, tax records, cancelled checks, and other documents stored in a variety of formats. This has opened the door to identity theft. Attorneys have cautioned several companies, including mortgage lenders, real estate agents, attorneys, contractors, and others, that the use of LimeWire by employees opens them up to significant liability.
- ^ Tom Zeller. June 28, 2005. "Trying to Tame an Unruly Technology". New York Times. Section C, Column 2, Pg. 1.
- ^ http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=927
- ^ http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/08/copy-of-complaint-in-arista-v-lime.html
- ^ http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/09/lime-wire-sues-riaa-for-antitrust.html and http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/11/limewire-files-amended-counterclaims.html
- ^ BBC News: Warning on search engine safety