Is torrent downloading from websites like mininova or isohunt illegal in the USA?

Question

Can my download records be hunted down/traced by the US government and will I be caught for doing so?

Thank you very much for your feedback! :)

Answer 1

Its illegal in the US to download copyrighted material. The only way the govt can track down your downloaded files legally to make a case is if they are in a shared folder and people are able to download them from you. Just move the files after you download them to a regualar folder since the govt hacking into your computer would get a case thrown out. I don't download anything illegal though because Itunes is cheap and I don't listen to much music.

Answer 2

Mininova Torrent Download

Answer 3

Yes, and it has been done. However, some torrents are legal and some are illegal. Most torrents you find on mininova and isohunt are copyrighted works and therefore illegal. So many people download using p2p and torrent software that it would be near impossible to catch everyone. It is possible forr you IP address to be determined. With your IP address, you can be traced down to your internet provider (ISP) and with there help, they can provide the exact location you're connecting to the internet from. Obviously, they need to have some legal status in order to do this, but it is possible. If you choose to download these torrents, do so at your own risk.

Answer 4

It just file sharing and it is legal but if you choose to download copy righted material, such as "some" movies, programs and music it is not legal. There is lots of free legal stuff out there: Download.com (CNet) has free music, games and programs. Gutenberg.org has tons of Audio books on MP3 and other formats , So does LearnOutLoud.org. Watch out for sites that say FREE about fifty times they want you to give your email and then will bomb you with spam. Be careful and have fun.

Answer 5

Yes you can be traced. Whether or not it's illegal depends on what it is you're downloading.