If it’s too good to be true, it usually isn’t true! If it looks FREE maybe its hidden cost is more than you can afford. Thousands of teenagers and adults alike have been using Kazaa, LimeWire and other software programs to download movies, CDs and whatever kind of entertainment they can find. These software programs make it possible for Internet users around the world to share thousands of files totally free. There just one catch; it’s against the law!

The music and movie companies which make all those CDs and flicks have copyrights on them. This means that nobody can use them without paying for it. A copyright protects people or companies who have written or own the rights to certain books, music, movies etc. These materials are private property; they can’t be used by others without permission or without a cost to the user. A copyright law protects against the stealing of music and movies just like a shoplifting law protects store owners against having their clothing, electronic equipment or jewelry stolen.

Stealing, or “online piracy” is exactly what the companies that own the music and movie copyrights call the downloading of their private property without paying for the right to do so. The Recording Industry Association of America (the company which owns most of the copyrights) is now suing people for downloading their music illegally. The association has hired lawyers to make sure that even teenagers who are file sharing and getting copyrighted materials FREE, may soon find themselves paying a high price in fines and other penalties.