Is it actually illegal to download a movie or tv show or is the illegal part just the uploading and sharing part?
Every movie I've watched lately says that "Downloading is Stealing", so I'm going to guess that it's illegal (but who can trust those crazy producers). Logically though, it would seem that downloading pirated movies would be illegal even if uploading them weren't. After all, the downloading part is the theft part. The uploader could claim that he was just doing a service for those who have a legal right to own a copy. (It probably wouldn't fly, but it would be a potential defense.)
What if you download from NetFlix, PS3, or REAL VIDEO? Isn't THAT illegal? And PLUS, how do they know you can't share THAT movie? Meh, I'm just throwing more wrenches in your loophole operation. Never mind me.
It is illegal to download copyrighted content without permission. You exacerbate things by sharing with others.
This is correct. Example: The latest release by Nine Inch Nails was given out for free. Download it all you want. Share it all you want. It's not illegal. (Radiohead did this, too, I think). so.... no, "downloading is not stealing". But, unauthorized duplication, transmission, or reception of copyrighted material (in any way) is illegal. That means, downloading, copying a dvd, pirating a cable feed, pirating a satellite feed, making a xerox copy of page from a book (yup! that's illegal!), scanning a photo that has the photographer's copyright on it, etc. and.... get this..... according to American DMCAA law, it is illegal to decrypt anything without authorization. So, let's say you own a master copy of Mary Poppins on DVD and you don't want your kids touching the disk (you KNOW they'll scratch it), so you make a copy of it for your kids to watch while you store the master copy. Uh-uh. You just broke the law.
which is why i say screw the music industry. They could have went to mini-disc or some other tougher media since the early 90's but they wanted to get a little more cash from their cow. Sucks for you!
I'm asking because AFACT (some anti piracy lobby group) is conducting a witch hunt against my ISP. They threaten to obliterate them under years of litigation and also the individuals. Also is this a criminal or civil offence?
This is the only thing that aggravates me about the laws. I completely understand (and refrain from) the downloading, sharing, etc. part of the law, but this one irritates me no end. I should have free rein to make as many backup copies for my personal use of DVDs and CDs. A few years ago when this was finally officially decided, it put the company that mad DVDXCopy out of business. Their sole product (I believe) allowed you to make backup copies of encrypted discs. I think it was Jack Valenti who said something like "...if you want a backup copy, buy 2 discs...". Although the law aggravates me, I understand why they do it. They want to make it more difficult for all the thieves out there to make duplicates.
ROFL! nice one, ima. droxford - I remember my parents doing this with the VHS tapes we'd buy. I can't tell you how many tapes I remember being destroyed, and while my parents got irked, they just came out with a new copy the next day.
