If someone has downloaded files from a file-sharing network (i.e. kazaa) in the past but no longer does it, can they still be traced?Generally no.

Unless...they really want to catch you for some reason. If you were just a casual pirate they will probably ignore it.

It's never too late to repent though! Lol.

DellI don't think so. If you have not seen any action being taken against you within a month or so, I would think that you're pretty safe... However, this might be different depending on what you download... Music so far is not too big a deal, but pirating programs such as Norton, etc. is pretty bad... Be careful...

[GLB]Flame[/glb]I used to have a pretty big collection of songs and I also had a movie or two downloaded. I got rid of kazaa because it was killing my computer and I got my computer fixed. Since that time (2 yrs ago) I have gotten a new computer. I heard that they can track IP addresses. Is the IP address UNIQUE to the computer, connection, or both? Is your IP address stuck on the file that you shared forever? Or, since I no longer have any of the files or the same computer, is it still possible to be traced?I think you're safe. No need to change your name too! Besides, there are at least 20+ million other folks who probably also share your concern.

IP addresses aren't normally a part of a music file's structure or ID. I could be wrong, since who KNOWS what the big boys will try next.

Getting rid of Kazaa was probably one of the best things you could do for the health of your PC. It was/is pure bloatware designed to facilitate all forms of adware, spyware, malware and other junk. Although the actual file size(s) were small, it was capable of tying up your PC resources beyond belief.

Personal Commentary

I remember when CDs first came out. They were about $10-12 a pop. Since this was 2-3 times the cost of the same music on vinyl, the industry used the excuse that startup costs would be high for a while, but then the price would eventually go down. Well, 20+ years later, the prices are still high or even higher, so I figure the big studios and distributors still haven't recouped their big investments.

Where the money goes (approximately) when you buy a CD:
$0.07 media
$0.15 manufacturing
$0.25 artist(s)
$13.53 distributors, retailers, studios & stockholders

If the above doesn't bother you, consider that almost any current top rated movie can be purchased for around $15-20 (up to 9+ GB of quality data - 2-4 hrs), whereas, a double sided audio CD can cost you the same or even more (1-2 GB of quality data - 2- hrs). CERTAINLY the production costs for a top quality DVD movie is higher (much, much higher) than an audio CD.

Another point. I have purchased concert DVDs for less than the exact same audio CD. Sometimes much less.

I believe the differences are pure greed and what the uninformed market will bear. Is it a wonder that so much piracy exists?

DellI think an ISP can log user data for 6 months then dump it. That will probably change given the super powers AVAILABLE to Homeland Security in the USA. The Canadian will gov will put forward a bill soon that forces ISPs to log user data but it's expected to fail. Not that failing will stop them from doing it anyway.Actually, they can probably trace the very first E-mail you have ever written.

I hope you didn't write anything naughty. Welcome to the Internet. Can they trace Merlin to whatever fantasy land he is in?