You may be fined for each song, movie, or software program you've downloaded or shared.

If you participate in illegal Copyright infringement, the consequences depend on current federal statue, and the statues of your local jurisdiction. However, using that same program to download a new hit song or a movie still in theaters is illegal. Using BitTorrent or other file sharing programs to download a software patch, a game demo, movie trailer, or similar is legal. It's the data being shared that is illegal. The programs or technologies behind file sharing are not illegal. A software program or game you'd buy at a store.Īre P2P programs such as BitTorrent, KaZaA, Napster, etc.A movie that you'd see at a movie theater or buy on DVD.

A popular song that you'd buy online or at the store.Examples of Copyrighted or otherwise protected data are: How do I know if something is Copyrighted?Ī good general rule to follow is to think about if the song, movie, or other software can be purchased. Downloading or sharing a Copyrighted TV show or program.Sharing or downloading computer software (programs, games, etc.).Sharing Copyrighted songs (music) to other people who have not purchased those songs or downloading songs from other people when you've not purchased that song.Downloading or sharing a Copyrighted movie.Below are some good examples of when file sharing becomes illegal in many places around the world. However, if you're sharing Copyrighted content with other people, this is considered illegal. In no state in the United States or in any other country is file sharing illegal.

This page was created solely to provide general information for readers who have asked this question on our site. Computer Hope does not provide legal advice or representation.

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