When you download a song for free off LimeWire, you are making a copy of the original copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright holder. This act is considered copyright infringement, which can be a civil or criminal offense depending on the specific circumstances.
In the United States, copyright infringement can result in significant legal penalties, including fines, damages, and even imprisonment in severe cases. Copyright holders can also initiate civil lawsuits against individuals who infringe on their rights, seeking compensation for the unauthorized use of their work.
Therefore, it is essential to obtain lawful permission or purchase music from authorized sources rather than downloading it illegally off file-sharing networks like LimeWire to avoid any potential legal issues.