I mean can I download through bit-torrents or limewire which is a P2P software
2007-10-11 05:04:55 · 6 answers · asked by Rigs 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
The short answer is NO it is not legal.
Anything free is illegal
2007-10-11 05:08:45 · answer #1 · answered by Don M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is not legal. If you read the FBI warning/disclaimer on any movie, it says the copying and/or distribution whole or in part is considered a criminal offense.
So in the U.S. if you download movies illegally, the FBI can go to your ISP and make them give the FBI your personal address, phone number, where you work... etc.
They will then show up at your door, confiscate your computer, your television, all your movies, your car... put you in jail and slap you with a $5000.00 fine.
That's the risk you take every time you download a movie through the internet.
Forewarned is forearmed
2007-10-11 05:14:44 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Unknowable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be legal to download but illegal to share copyrighted movie whose license prohibits third party distribution. You should look up legal precendents for this. Practically, if you're using P2P software you're going to be sharing as soon as you have any part of the movie. So effectively, it would be illegal to download any recent Hollywood movie.
The answer also depends on license. Depends on whether or not a US company holds license to distribute and whether or not the license allows anyone to distribute the film.
There's really no reduction in profit for a copyright owner if they are not selling the movie in your country. You really can't buy many foreign media here in US. I don't think there's any legal basis with which you could be accused of harming profits of a company by downloading movies that aren't being sold here.
Also, very old movies may be in public domain and free to share. Copyright expires after 70 years or something. Of course, entertainment industry keeps lobbying Congress to increase this figure.
2007-10-11 05:32:16 · answer #3 · answered by empraptor 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Illegal.
Get a netflicks or blockbuster membership, that's legal.
2007-10-11 05:08:07 · answer #4 · answered by ilan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal!
2007-10-11 05:10:58 · answer #5 · answered by sunnyj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
idk but i do it all the time
2007-10-11 05:12:21 · answer #6 · answered by jtsmonkeydude@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋