Lime Wire Cancels Future Plans and Will Close Its Store

Lime Wire LLC, the creator of the formerly popular LimeWire file sharing application, announces that LimeWire Store will also stop operating after December 31 and that previous plans to develop a new music service got cancelled.

"As a result of our current legal situation, we have no choice but to wind down LimeWire Store operations," the company said Friday, according to the New York Times.

"Despite our dedication and efforts, December 31, 2010, will mark the day when LimeWire Store shuts its virtual doors," it added.

LimeWire Store is a low cost digital music shop, which allows users to buy MP3s in bulk at prices as low as $0.27 per song. It is only available to US residents.

A notification displayed on all LimeWire Store pages at the moment reads: “LimeWire Store is no longer accepting new customers. Existing subscribers will not be renewed or charged but can still sign in to redeem any remaining song credits.”

At the end of October, U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood, issued a permanent injunction prohibiting Lime Wire from distributing, selling, advertising or otherwise supporting its LimeWire file sharing application.

The order was the result of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against Lime Wire by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

At the time, Lime Wire's CEO, George Searle said that despite having to shut down its popular software, the company would create a new legal music service.

“Our team of technologists and music enthusiasts is creating a completely new music service that puts you back at the center of your digital music experience,” he said.

It now seems that those plans have also been cancelled and the company will cease operations and close its only office in New York by the end of the year.