Is downloading TV shows off the Internet illegal?

[Zero Plasma]

I'm asking because some people say you will, it's illegal. Others say you won't, it's not illegal.

One of my local local news channels just had a special on how to get shows from BT and never said it was illegal.

I'm confused. Whats the truth on this?

 

[eelw]

If you're worried about it being possibly illegal, then don't do it!!!!!

 

[alexXx]

i dont understand the law. If somethink is freely available on network(Free) tv, then why is it illegal to download? If it is a movie, then of course it makes sense to get in trouble..

 

[Zero Plasma]

Originally posted by: eelw
If you're worried about it being possibly illegal, then don't do it!!!!!

I don't want to do it. Just i'd like to know what the law is on it.

 

[ElFenix]

the person sending it is distributing it/making a copy without holding the copyright, therefore they are violating the copyright act. if you're on a peer system and uploading then you're doing it.

if you're just downloading, i'm not sure, but they could probably get you somehow

 

[pennylane]

I get bad reception at my house.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: alexXx
i dont understand the law. If somethink is freely available on network(Free) tv, then why is it illegal to download? If it is a movie, then of course it makes sense to get in trouble..

because the network has permission from the copyright holder to broadcast it, and the copyright holder is paid by the network.

 

[sniperruff]

i think it is legal if the tv station releases the torrent. if it's captured and then released by someone then it's illegal. i think.

 

[Zero Plasma]

I just think it's interesting my local news channel told everyone how to do it with BT.
But they never said anything about it being legal/illegal.

Edit: They even named all the popular shows you can get.

 

[cjgallen]

Originally posted by: alexXx
i dont understand the law. If somethink is freely available on network(Free) tv, then why is it illegal to download? If it is a movie, then of course it makes sense to get in trouble..

Part of the reason it's "Free" over the airwaves is because of commercials. When you download it, you don't see any of those commercials, and one could argue that TV stations and the whole chain of workers who made the show lose money.

 

[Rebasxer]

Is Tivo illegal? If it's not (which I assume is true since it's being mass marketed) than how could someone be at fault for downloading TV shows, since Tivo does basically the same thing.

 

[nageov3t]

I wonder if the MPAA would back off if all the bt sites started uploading eps with the commercials in tact.

I wouldn't mind. usually the only time I'd upload a television show is when my pvr fvcked up somehow.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Illegal. You circumvent their distribution system, they don't like that.

Your local TV station is whoring for ratings with this story, this is sweeps. Strange strategy though, throwing your own network programming under the bus. I'm sure the bosses in Manhattan would love that if they heard about it.

 

[SludgeFactory]

Originally posted by: Rebasxer
Is Tivo illegal? If it's not (which I assume is true since it's being mass marketed) than how could someone be at fault for downloading TV shows, since Tivo does basically the same thing.

Tivo is not a global distribution system. You can't even transfer shows from it without some tinkering.

 

[Tab]

It is 100% illegal you are violating there distribution system. There are a lot of people who do not have cable or HBO.

 

[MustISO]

Tivo is not a global distribution system. You can't even transfer shows from it without some tinkering.

Tivo2Go allows you to copy shows stored on your TV to your PC and then burn them to DVD. Tivo gives you the software, no tinkering needed.

 

[aplefka]

I'm going to say it's illegal. I'm also going to say that doesn't stop the hardcore pirates. YAAAAAAAAAR!

 

[BigJ]

Say it with me:

Commercials

And that is the reason why they've got their panties in a bunch.

 

[BillyBatson]

i am goign to say it is illegal. even if it is free to download on BT netowrks you are uploading as you download aswell and i am sur eyou ren't alowed to distribute.
Also at the beginning of sports it says you can't record AND rebroadcast without written permission, does that mean youc an just record? how is a baseball game different from a tv show?
what about say you download an episode of Voyager a TV rip, and the same episode of Voyager DVD rip, is there a difference? why? lack of commercials? what if you insert the same commercials into the dvd rip so at least it is betetr quality, is it legal then? Doubt it