Streaming has become one of the most popular ways to consume media. With streaming services, you can access TV shows, movies, and live sporting events, or listen to music, books, or podcasts nearly anywhere you go. While there are many legal streaming services, there are also many illegal ways of accessing this kind of copyrighted material.
Despite all the streaming options available today, some people still don’t want to pay for legal streaming services. Instead, they may find it more convenient or affordable to access the media illegally. But this can be a dangerous choice. Understanding the legality behind streaming different types of content can help keep you and your family protected when searching for digital entertainment.
What Is Streaming?
Streaming gives users direct access to on-demand or live content more easily than ever before. The transmission of digital information from one point to another over the Internet provides a continuous playback experience for users.
Streaming services can be accessed from many different types of devices—even on-the-go. Smart TVs, computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones are all capable of streaming both audio and video media.
Types of Streaming Services
Many popular streaming services are perfectly legal, including services like:
- Netflix
- AppleTV
- Hulu
- FuboTV
- Amazon Prime
- HBO+
- Disney+
These options are just some of the most popular TV, sports, and movie streaming services. There are also music services such as Spotify, Tidal, and SoundCloud that seek to create tailored audio streaming experiences for their users.
Illegal Streaming Services
Even before the rise of popular legal streaming services, illegal services were used to access and share content such as movies, TV, music, and sporting events without the consent of creditors or owners.
Streaming websites, torrenting, VPNs, and social media can all provide tools for illegal file sharing and communication. Many of these services take advantage of legal gray areas to pirate copyrighted works to the public, but that doesn’t make streaming pirated content safe or legal.
Here’s a bit more about how illegal streaming often works.
Illegal Streaming Websites
There are countless websites online that let users access and stream content illegally. Pirated TV shows, music, and movies can all be found online.
Oftentimes, free streaming services do not host the content themselves, so it’s difficult for governments to properly police them. Content may be user generated or shared from storage in other countries to avoid legal trouble.
Torrenting
The BitTorrent communication protocol has been around for two decades and has often been used for downloading pirated content from the Internet. Free movies, TV, and music can be obtained through P2P networks for file sharing.
These distribution systems are not only risky but hard to track because their files are spread across multiple devices and regions. Oftentimes, copyright holders can do little, leaving it up to ISPs to police criminal behavior.
Learn more about why torrenting is risky.
VPNs
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are growing in popularity as a way to let users access digital information and communicate anonymously. VPN services offer users privacy and security when accessing information online.
Most VPNs can be used to hide a user’s identity when accessing files online or to fake their location, letting them access geo-locked content. VPNs are often used in conjunction with other methods such as online streaming and torrenting to avoid being detected.
Social Media
Social media is another area where illegal streaming services operate. Individuals sharing pirated content can use platforms such as Discord, Telegram, and WhatsApp to create private channels for sharing data.
The widespread use of social media, and the complexity of accessing private platforms, means that it’s difficult to prevent illegal streaming among users.
Dangers of Illegal Streaming
While illegal streaming might seem easy and appealing, there are many drawbacks. Ad popups and other malicious content inserted by programmers can lead to viruses, malware, and tracking. Pirating content creates security risks for you and any other users on the network.
Many illegal streaming services also require payment or personal user data for access. Giving strangers access to your information and other vital credentials is dangerous.
Ultimately, it’s also against the law. Pirated content leads to copyright infringement. ISPs generally can see what’s happening on their networks; therefore, illegal streaming can lead to loss of service, fines, and legal trouble.
Find Legitimate Streaming Services
Are you looking for legal streaming sites? There are plenty of them, and some are even free! Today, there really is no need to risk safety or legal trouble by using illegal streaming sites.
Are you moving and looking to transfer your Internet service? Do you need faster Internet service for a better streaming experience?
Reach out to SmartMove today!
FAQs
The bottom line
If you're simply watching a stream of unlicensed content, you're not technically breaking the law. Where it becomes a crime is if you download the movie or show or host a stream yourself.
What is illegal streaming content? ›
Streaming copyrighted content without proper authorisation (eg using unauthorised streaming websites or services that distribute copyrighted material without permission) is illegal.
Are all streaming services legal? ›
Streaming services often offer a vast library of content, including movies, TV shows, and music. However, not all of this content is properly licensed, and streaming copyrighted material without permission is a violation of copyright law.
How do illegal streaming apps work? ›
Illegal streaming apps break copyright laws by distributing copyrighted content without permission from the rights holder. This includes streaming movies, TV shows, and live sports events without obtaining the proper licenses or rights to do so.
Can you go to jail for streaming? ›
Maximum penalties for misdemeanor copyright infringement are one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Maximum penalties for felony copyright infringement generally are: Commercial advantage or private financial gain: five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Is it illegal to use a VPN for streaming? ›
In the United States and many other countries worldwide, using a VPN is not illegal. However, if you're committing a crime while using a VPN, you're still committing the crime, just while connected to a VPN. Using a VPN for streaming is not illegal unless you're illegally accessing the content you're streaming.
What are the main illegal streaming sites? ›
List of Popular Illegal Streaming Sites
- 123movies. Operating from Vietnam, the site allowed users to stream and download trending TV shows and series without signing up. ...
- Moviesjoy. ...
- Vumoo. ...
- Roja Directa. ...
- Flixtor. ...
- Soap2day. ...
- Putlocker. ...
- FMovies.
Protecting Lawful Streaming Act of 2020
116-260), was signed into law December 27, 2020. It significantly increases criminal penalties for people who, willfully and for commercial advantage or private financial gain, illegally stream copyrighted material.
What is illegal streaming called? ›
Online piracy or software piracy is the practice of downloading and distributing copyrighted works digitally without permission, such as music or software.
Is 123Movies illegal? ›
123Movies and other similar pirate sites violate copyright laws and operate in a legal gray area or even illegally. Using such a site is illegal in many countries.
Streaming service FuboTV has filed an antitrust lawsuit against ESPN, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery and Hulu, which are planning to launch a sports-streaming venture in the fall. The lawsuit has been filed in the Southern District of New York. FuboTV, which focuses primarily on live sports, is seeking a jury trial.
Can I sue a streaming service? ›
You may be able to sue a satellite TV provider or a streaming service, but you're probably limited to bringing a claim in small claims court. You can arbitrate your claims for larger amounts, which is a process we describe below.
Is streaming on Firestick illegal? ›
TV lovers using Firesticks for illegal means have been warned of a crackdown. So-called 'dodgy sticks' tend to refer to when the devices have been modified to allow users to unlawfully watch a number of streaming services and costly subscriptions like Sky Sports.
Why are illegal streaming sites bad? ›
As this timely report from OpenText Security Solutions makes clear, illegal streams open up a gateway for criminals to access bank accounts, commit fraud, and install malicious software.
Are smart TV boxes legal? ›
TV box is not illegal now and will almost certainly never become illegal in the future. Firstly, let's be clear: if you buy a mini android internet tv box and it comes with nothing more than a copy of the app installed, you're safe. Your purchase is entirely legal, and you have nothing to worry about.
Is it illegal to use 123Movies? ›
The legal consequence of using 123Movies depends on where you are. If you're in the US, the UK, Australia, some parts of China, or countries that strictly regulate piracy, you could face hefty fines or jail time.
Can you get in trouble for using Firestick? ›
It's not actually illegal to own a cracked Fire Stick, but you are breaking the law if you use it to bypass paid-for subscriptions, whether for sport, films or any other content. If you're looking to buy a Fire Stick, don't be tempted by offers on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, no matter how cheap they are.
How much do illegal streaming sites make? ›
But the age of streaming has been a boon for some unintended winners: pirates that use software to rip a film or television show in seconds from legitimate online video platforms and host the titles on their own, illegitimate services, which rake in about $2 billion annually from ads and subscriptions.
Is Soap2Day illegal to use? ›
Soap2Day may offer tempting access to free movies and shows, but it comes with risks. It's not a legal streaming service, and it displays pop-up ads that could contain malware. To protect yourself from these risks, you can remove Soap2Day from your device or browser and choose legal streaming alternatives.
