Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California
Streaming Films
I often watch films and television
shows which have been illegally
uploaded on streaming sites. I
never download or distribute these
videos, nor do I upload films, but I
do watch them. Can I be
prosecuted for piracy?
Asked on 5/10/09, 5:08 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone
Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE
Re: Streaming Films
If you didn't download the videos, how do you think all those electrons got from the web site onto your computer? Sure, you could theoretically be prosecuted for piracy if you have knowledge that the material is copyrighted. But lawsuits are more likely to happen if you use peer-to-peer software, for example BitTorrent client software, that automatically re-uploads the footage you have downloaded onto other folks' computers.
Answered on 5/10/09, 10:39 pm