What is illegal downloading?
Every country has its own laws and regulations with regards to copyrighted material and downloads. This should serve as a basic guide to what may constitute illegal downloading of movies.
If you download a movie that is still playing in cinemas, or maybe has not even come out in cinemas yet, you can guarantee that the version you have downloaded is an illegal copy. Movies are usually released to DVD about three months after the film screens in theaters. Anything that is released to the public before that three month period has been obtained without permission.
One of the most common ways of downloading movies is through file-sharing services. Generally, if an individual provides copyrighted materials to another individual without appropriate permission, that individual is engaging in an illegal activity. In many countries, those people who download this copyrighted material are also deemed to be participating in an illegal activity. Peer-to-peer downloads, such as those obtained through BitTorrents, are usually an unlawful way to obtain movies.
What is the impact of these downloads?
By downloading material illegally, you are robbing the owners of the movie of their profit. If you think about this in the context of millionaire movie producers and actors, you may not have much empathy for the situation. But the effect is more far-reaching than that. Cinemas and DVD retailers rely on the sales of movie tickets and DVD copies to survive. If you download a movie instead of hiring it from your local video store, then that video store is missing out on profit. If the problem continues to increase, then movie theaters and video stores, especially small businesses, may lose business and have to shut down.
Australia's film industry is particularly vulnerable to the effects of movie piracy. The already-struggling industry is said to lose several hundred million dollars each year in potential revenue because people are downloading free versions of films instead of choosing legal, paid options. This means that the capacity of Australian film producers to make more films in the future is greatly limited. This is a shame, as Australian films provide a means to explore the uniqueness of Australian culture, as well as providing a medium for creative expression and ingenuity. As such, it ought to receive full support from movie viewers.
Can you be prosecuted for illegal downloading?
Depending on which country you live in, you can be prosecuted for accessing copyrighted or illegal materials. This is particularly true in the US and Australia. Fines of thousands, and in some cases millions, of dollars can be issued for illegally downloading films. Warnings at the start of legally distributed films will advise you as to the punishments for such offenses within your country or region.
As you can see, illegal movie downloads are a big problem. They affect people all over the world, from producers to cinemas and DVD retailers. And if you get caught and fined, then it will definitely affect you. With plenty of legal alternatives, there really is no excuse. So do the right thing, and support the global film industry through legal downloads.
About the Author:
No comments:
Post a Comment