Wow this is becoming law in the UK? I really think the govt. should stay out of things like this.

I remember from taking part in discussions like this and what I've read over the years, downloading copyrighted material is not illegal (not in the US), but uploading it is or spreading the files is illegal. I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions, this debate has been raging on for years.

The thing with most p2p programs is that while you are downloading you are also uploading/disseminating bits of the files also, this of course is a no no, that's where the problem lies.

Ways around it? Use Usenet/newsgroups, you are just mainly downloading material and not uploading anything. The movie and music studios can't do anything. You are not disseminating/uploading any material for it to be illegal. Or just use rapidshare/megaupload links, again just downloading and not uploading material, but then again I don't know about he laws in the UK.