Hi, sorry if this a ridiculous question...but i am new to this! Are torrents illegal? If i download movies/software etc can it come back to bite me in the butt? Just want to know, as i see stuff on the news and it scares the crap out of me....need some reassurance or info? Cheers!
Torrents themselves are not illegal. Bit-torrent is a protocol used for efficient online distribution of files. It is used for many purposes, legal and illegal. Downloading and uploading copyrighted works (software, movies, etc.) is in breach of UK, US, and most other countries' law. It can back to you, in the form of being sued in civil court. This is relatively rare, but does happen.
As spec said, torrents in themselves aren't, but some (a lot) of the stuff avilable via them are illegal to download due to copyright.
Torrents can be perfectly legit - it's just a file type and a way of transferring data. Lots of indi game developers use torrents to distribute their games, and a lot of game developers use torrents to distribute patches these days. But copyright infringement is another entirely, weather it's a torrent file or a direct download it's illegal to steal copy-written and protected materials such as movies, music and games.
Welcome to Bit-tech I like how your first post is about Torrents and potential legalities, basically though no server actually holdas the films, all those with the active Torrent will download and upload the file between themselves making YOU responsible and liable for any legal actions
In Canada, you have the right,and is fully legal, to download in any mean, software, movies and music, IF AND YOU IF you already purchase them. Backups are 100% legal in Canada, even coping the disk. You CANNOT sale or give any physical media of any backup content. Lending is fine. The above is what screws up the music industry and movie industry data, as they don't know who is getting a pirated copy of a copyrighted content, and who is getting it in a different format or backup. (They probably consider all pirating, so that they can get the most money from lawsuits) What is illegal in Canada, is UPLOADING copyrighted content without permission. And of course, downloading stuff you don't own. It must be noted, when you torrent, you also upload at the same time by default, to share with other what you got so far. That one of the features of the torrent protocol. So depending on what you do, and where you are, it can be legal or illegal.
Thanks all! I can understand the benefits of file sharing when it's legit....but i guess it's a matter of ethics whether you download the movies/music stuff. Loving these forums i've just dicovered! I am a wannabe geek, but have a lot to learn