Illegal Downloading

[Scutch]

Which part of the downloading process is actually illegal?

I mean, if you download a music or video file, illegally, but dont actually listen or watch it, is that still deemed illegal? So, for example, downloading 2 albums accidentally and then deleted them when you've realised, are you still liable for the illegal downloading?

Surely watching or listening to the files is the illegal part of the process? I know it doesnt quite work like this, hence the term "illegally downloading", but there should be some leeway.

If you've paid for and owned the music/video files, but have since lost them and therefore fancy downloading them to recall the magic moments, is that still illegal? Downloading of files is acceptable if you own or have paid for the original piece of work, I believe. So how far would authorities to go to try and prove that you didnt once own or pay for the original?

Anyway, my main point is the illegal downloading question, and at what point it is thought of as illegal (downloading - installing - listening/watching/using) taking into consideration that you dont own the original?

I'm sure the majority of people on here have at some point downloaded files that they dont own and never have, but the argument (or lie) that you did once own the originals but have since lost them must cause problems for prosecuting.

 

[Revels]

I think most people will never have a problem with the legal side of things with regards to prosecution. Couple of films a week isnt going to alarm anyone. Its when people download hundreds and more importantly, upload films constantly that the problems occur.

Feel free to correct me if thats wrong.

I think owning the files is the offence, not downloading it or watching it. So if you downloaded and deleted, the police therefor wouldnt see it. But keep it and you're in trouble.

Also, on a slightly related note.. Its illegal to record something from the Tv onto VHS and then watch it more than once.

 

[swordjo]

I'd say they think the whole process is illeagal. It's like if you buy/get given a hooky dvd but don't watch it. You are still handling stolen goods. We all do it though!

 

[H182]

I'd say downloading is too. Kinda like nicking from a shop but not watching it, still took it.

 

[Scutch]

I think most people will never have a problem with the legal side of things with regards to prosecution. Couple of films a week isnt going to alarm anyone. Its when people download hundreds and more importantly, upload films constantly that the problems occur.

Feel free to correct me if thats wrong.

I think owning the files is the offence, not downloading it or watching it. So if you downloaded and deleted, the police therefor wouldnt see it. But keep it and you're in trouble.

Also, on a slightly related note.. Its illegal to record something from the Tv onto VHS and then watch it more than once.

:S

 

[seb]

tbh, probably won't be long beofre they begin prosectuing you for thinking about doing it...

mind control ftl.

 

[Christopher]

Good input.

It's the process of actually sourcing the file illegally, IIRC.

Although there's such a huge grey area when it comes this subject, so i'm really not 100%

Ask Guy Goma.

Done.

 

[Longy]

I'd say downloading is too. Kinda like nicking from a shop but not watching it, still took it.

But then its like going into a shop opening the box - copy it to you laptop and putting the box back without having done anything to the original and walking out with your laptop?

 

[sneeks]

I think it's only Knockoff Nigel who is the problem, the rest of us should be OK.

 

[Snubbs]

I think it's only Knockoff Nigel who is the problem, the rest of us should be OK.

LOL i love those adverts.

TBH they've made me want to pirate etc more - knock-off nigel probably gets knocked up....

Nice

Does that even make sence?

 

[Skinny]

Tv on the internet is a huge grey area and the watching/dl of it not much can be done about.


Music and films, i believe its only "uploading" that can be prosecuted and downloading is not prosecutable.

Not 100% on this, but pretty sure.

 

[Darren S]

I think it's only Knockoff Nigel who is the problem, the rest of us should be OK.

ROFL!

What the f**k are those adverts about? Is that supposed to discourage people from nabbing stuff on the cheap?

Embarrassing.

D.

 

[LegoHead]

Looking at any website is technically an illegal download.lol.

 

[Final Maxim]

knock off nigel is 100% laughable, to think someone got paid bloody good money to think up that advert. baffles me how anyone can think that is gonna prevent piracy is beyond me.

they should have hard, no bs adverts stating the fines you will get (not max bs fines that noone ever gets), what they are doing to catch you and how many people are getting prosecuted daily.

 

[DannyR]

I think you can download songs you already own. You buy the rights to listen to the song IIRC. I've lost loads of CD's when I had a crash and my wallet got nicked full of them so I still have all the cases.

I also think tha sharing is more illegal than downloading as you are distributing. Think of it like drug dealing I suppose, If you just do it you'll get a lesser punishment than dealing it!

 

[dk]

Looking at any website is technically an illegal download.lol.

no it isn't, if it had a password and you crackeds it then that would but a publically accessible website is an offer to invite, just like a shop with an open door is, theres nothing illegal about it.

And also, revels comments that keeping things on vhs is illegal, that is a very old law and really couldn't upheld in a court of law these days, what with pvr's and the tv companies having their own download sites now etc.

what i find annoying is that i can watch a bbc programme online, but if i go to the nbc site to watch a us programme, i'm not allowed, why is that when the whole point of the internet is to make the world a more accessible place, they even have adverts in the streaming so whats the issue with me watching it from the uk, its ridiculous.

no wonder there is so much piracy when the us gets everything before we do, people don't want to wait and in this technological climate they shouldn't have to.

 

[Revels]

Its a shame we cant watch the top american channels over here.

It would save me the hassle of downloading everything! :quiet:

 

[timmmah]

lso, on a slightly related note.. Its illegal to record something from the Tv onto VHS and then watch it more than once.

:S

That's a good point.

What if I record a film off the TV?

Same thing as downloading. Or recorded a song off the radio.

It's kinda confusing but at the end of the day it is for personal use.

 

[Timmay]

I think it's only Knockoff Nigel who is the problem, the rest of us should be OK.

ROFL!

What the f**k are those adverts about? Is that supposed to discourage people from nabbing stuff on the cheap?

Embarrassing.

D.

bloody awful adverts

 

[Paul RN]

If you have a copy of something you don't own the rights to then you're in trouble with the law. Doesn't matter if you watch it or not.

 

[UncleGrumpy]

What a great idea for an advert - yeah that'll have someone thats doing it and coining the cash in s**tting themselves.

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GlhdK5Yl8u0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GlhdK5Yl8u0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

What really makes me laugh is how anyone thinks that the ad is going to change anything.