Is it illegal to watch movies online?

davester

Thats why its copyright and not patent cause your stealing intellectual property.

I think you will be seeking prosecution if you have written a book or screenplay or even shot a movie. and while it sat on your computer some scumbag came and copied it onto a memory stick. instead of waiting for its official release.

Also its still a crime to handle stolen goods, just cause you never broke into the shop and stole the CD and DVD , you recieving or watching it in any way is a crime.

superscaper

b33r wrote: »

Playing devils advocate for a moment...

The 'stealing' of things in a digital form is quite different to stealing anything physical though as nobody actually loses anything, they just don't gain something. Now, if the person doing the 'stealing' would never have bought it in the first place, say for example they couldn't afford it, why is this 'stealing'?

Yes two different types of stealing so you've answered your own question. It's stealing because it is taking something without permission, whether it deprives the person of that property or not is what is the difference between physical property and intellectual property and rights of ownership legally extend to intellectual property in exactly the same way as any other kind of property.

Taking something because you can't afford it is always a pathetic excuse, we're not talking about stealing food to feed starving children here. There's no "necessity". If you can't afford then you can't have. If anyone thinks differently (and not aimed at you because you're playing Devil's Advocate) then they haven't mentally matured from the unruly 5 year old in a sweet shop. If anything why is it the tenner-to-buy-film people "can't afford, so have to take" won't steal a new car to replace their banged up one (and I'm sure that's more expensive than the odd film). It makes a fallacy of that argument.

waltermitty_2

These are always lively debates and generally polarise opinions. I understand the loss of finances logic in p2p, however sometimes alternative revenue streams are generated.
I have lent dvds from friends, which is against the terms stated on the dvd, and watched some good comedians and bands. These artists were little known to me and therefore had no chance of receiving any of my money. Anyhow as a result of watching them I have been around uk watching them perform live.
The bands and comedians benefitted from ticket sales, merchandise bought at venue (and at £35 for a t-shirt I know they are benefitting). In addition to this I have had to stay at hotels, preceded the night out with a meal and drinks.
This money was not inputted into the economy without a transgression from the straight and narrow, a lot of industries have benefitted the only thing that suffered was the environment.

davester

But if everyone was streaming it without paying for it the record company would have less money to invest in these bands to continue making their music, so you wouldn't have your concert to go to, nor give your custom to the hotel or resturants.

michaelro

Debates like these always bring out the 'holier than thou' group who I can guarantee have broken copyright law in some way in their lives.

Ever recorded something off the radio?
Recorded something off the TV and watched it back with anyone other than yourself?
Listened to a radio at work?

All of these are illegal so if you've done it yourself in any way you can't very well have a go at those who still do.

If prices came down (Video / Music) and the people at the top got paid a more realistic wage, then dowloading / streaming would disappear overnight.

davester

The question was if it was illegal. Its upto the individual to decide should they break the law, I'm sure most people did record something off the internet or recorded stuff. Listening to the radio at work is not illegal if the company has a licence. Which I think I read was £400 a year.

Sput2001

Listening to the radio at work is not illegal if the company has a licence. Which I think I read was £400 a year.

It varies according to the size of business, but it's something along those lines.

Taffybiker

I am guilty of asking family members to record a program for me because I do not receive the channel it is being transmitted on. I have a TV licence. Is that also illegal?

davester

yes if your family member didn't have a TV licence or on a subscription channel Sky. But thats a whole other kettle of fish. The laws are outdated to really explain and cover streaming transfer media cotent to other format for personal use. This is what copyright campaigners are complaining about. As the draconian law stands it is illegal, moral interpretation is causeing the confusion. Where as ripping your CDs to MP3 or Video to DVD is illegal for personal use is illegal they are not going to prosecute cause the cost or a trial is too great. It is easy to go to the illegal DVD seller and prosecute him because the law is still clear cut with that.

wazza

Here i was looking for a simple yes or no

I would agree that if you download unpaid for movies onto hard drive and/or make DVDs then that is illegal. I was just unclear about watching it online.

To me watching a new movie on youtube or from any other website is the same. Just don't fancy getting a nasty letter from the internet provider or from the organisation saying that i have been a naughty boy and see you in court etc.