Nothing in life is free. With the power of the Internet and peer-to-peer computer programs, many would disagree.
Peer-to-peer programs like LimeWire, BitTorrent, and the infamous Napster have been around for many years. Users can type in their favorite song, movie, or picture and instantly download a “free” computer file copy from another person using that same program.
As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for,” and persons using peer-to-peer programs may, in fact, get more than they bargained for. State and federal laws make it illegal to download copyrighted music, movies and other materials. Penalties can be as high as five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. In addition to these possible civilian criminal court system sentences, military members also may face courts-martial or other punitive or administrative actions for engaging in this illegal behavior.
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