Is Online Piracy Theft? Not According to These Harvard Lawyers
Is Online Piracy Theft? Well according to Harvard lawyers downloading and streaming pirated content is not seen as theft.
As reported by TorrentFreak, a recent study among 50 Harvard lawyers found that downloading or streaming pirated content is widely “tolerated” and even supported by some.
We want to know what you think of this study. Do you agree with these Harvard lawyers who feel that streaming or downloading pirated content is not theft?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Harvard Law School is an institution known by many for its prestige and credibility in the legal space.
And when 50 Harvard lawyers were asked about the legality of streaming and downloading pirated content, their answers may surprise people.
It’s well documented in United States copyright law that downloading (torrenting) works protected by copyright is a crime.
We make note of this in our popular article – Is Streaming Illegal in the United States?
However, when the 50 Harvard lawyers were interviewed about digital piracy, they are quite tolerant when it comes to file-sharing. Many even put the blame on huge media companies.
In the study conducted by the Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, one of the lawyers commented the following:
“Although it might be illegal, there is a widespread perception that it’s not theft and some have no issue discussing it in a professional setting: I have spoken with my clients about the T.V. shows that I have downloaded and watched.”
Another Harvard lawyer criticized the current streaming industry and puts the blame on big media companies:
“If for any reason, there is a restriction. I think it’s fair for me to download illegally or use VPN to have access to the content. I don’t believe in geographical restrictions on the internet.”
There are several other quotes from Harvard lawyers that can be found within TorrentFreak’s report.
Overall, it is evident that Harvard legal professionals don’t view online piracy as a very problematic issue.
The researchers of this study are calling for a paradigm shift in the industry.
Content creators and media companies should focus more on adapting their business models instead of playing a game of “cat and mouse” with online piracy.
For more information on the official study, you can view the link below.
Legal Professional’s Attitudes Towards Digital Piracy
For more information on the legality of streaming, check out our guides below that will explain this subject in great detail.
Is IPTV Legal? Read Before Streaming
We want to know what you think of this news story. Do you agree with these Harvard lawyers who feel that streaming or downloading pirated content is not theft?
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Legal Copyright Disclaimer: TROYPOINT is a tech website that publishes tutorials, news, and reviews. We do not verify if apps, services, or websites hold the proper licensing for media that they deliver. We do not own, operate, or re-sell any streaming site, service, app, or addon. Each person shall be solely responsible for media accessed and we assume that all visitors are complying with the copyright laws set forth within their jurisdiction. Users should be cautious of free streaming applications not available for install through respective app stores such as Amazon App Store and Google Play. If using unverified apps such as these, you should only be streaming or downloading content not protected by copyright such as works in the Public Domain. Referenced applications, addons, services, and streaming sites are not hosted or administered by TROYPOINT.