There are some limited exceptions to copyright law that may allow you to download copyrighted songs legally, such as the fair use doctrine. However, the fair use doctrine is a complex legal concept and it can be difficult to determine whether a particular use is fair or not. If you are not sure whether your use of a copyrighted song is fair, you should consult with a lawyer.
Copyright infringement can have serious consequences. You could be sued for money damages, including the actual damages sustained by the copyright owner as well as statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringed work. You could also be ordered to stop downloading copyrighted songs and may even face criminal prosecution.
It is important to be aware of the risks of copyright infringement before you download copyrighted songs from Limewire or Kazaa. If you are not sure whether a song is copyrighted, you can search the U.S. Copyright Office website to find out.