Exploring the Illegality of Torrenting: A Comprehensive Guide 

Do you use torrent software to download your favorite movies, games, e-books, and apps but are worried about whether it is legal or not? Sharing and downloading torrent files is not illegal.

But if you torrent copyrighted material without the permission of its owner, you can land into trouble.

For example, downloading new movies or games from torrent sites comes under the act of piracy and is considered illegal.

But if you download public domain media or share open-source apps to torrent sites, it is not considered illegal. You can consider it like the World Wide Web, which is used by many users to commit crimes, but using it simply doesn’t constitute criminal activity.

To stay anonymous while torrenting, you can use a virtual private network to add another layer of encryption and mask your IP address.

To help you stay safe while torrenting, we will tell you what part of torrenting is illegal and how to download kickass torrents without registration. 

How Can You Have a Safe Torrenting Experience

We will enlighten you about the part of torrenting that is considered illegal and what you can do to have a safe torrenting experience.

Is Torrenting Illegal?

Torrenting means the act of sharing files with the help of peer-to-peer technology. The act of torrenting is not considered illegal, but if you download copyrighted materials that you don’t own, torrenting can be illegal.

Content that is in the public domain, like music or classic literature, is legal to distribute and download via torrenting. Even video game companies like World of Warcraft fame and Blizzard use torrent sites to share updates about their products. 

But torrenting can become illegal if you download TV shows, books, music, movies, audiobooks, and other digital content protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to identify whether a file is copyrighted. Because of this, the user may break the law unknowingly and land in trouble.

In many countries, like the United States, internet service providers and government officials work together to catch people who distribute and download unsanctioned copyrighted material.

If you get caught, you may receive a jail sentence or have to pay a hefty fine. You should, therefore, be very careful while using torrenting sites. 

How Can You Torrent Safely?

You can avoid getting caught while downloading torrents by using a VPN. You should use a VPN while torrenting because even if you’re torrenting legally, you may get into trouble.

This is because your ISP is often not able to detect what you’re downloading. But by any chance, if they catch you, they might decrease your internet speed. It, therefore, becomes important to use a good VPN that can hide your torrent traffic.

A VPN  masks your IP address and keeps your online activities safe and private. Because of this, your IP address doesn’t appear in swarm peer lists, torrent trackers, and other public P2P databases.

Remember, unless protected by a VPN, all the other users on the torrent site can easily see the IP addresses of the people connected to the torrent. But even after using a VPN, you can be susceptible to malware.

You should, therefore, be very careful while downloading files from the internet.

What Can Happen If You’re Caught Torrenting?

If you’re caught torrenting, you may have to face serious implications, like your IPS can be blacklisted, and you may not be able to avail of internet services. In this case, you can choose another IPS provider. In severe cases, you may even be jailed or have to pay a hefty fine.

If convicted, you may have to pay a demand for damages that is more than $10,000 on average. If you’re accused of copyright infringement, the copyright holder might file a case against you and you may be summoned by the court.

The punishment for piracy can be jail, heavy penalties, or both. In some countries, a three-strikes system is followed wherein if you’re caught torrenting, your IPS warns you three times. If you’re caught the fourth time, you may have to face a court summon or an IPS ban. Legal action is rare for downloading copyrighted content for your own use.

But you should then also be careful while using any torrenting site. 

Here’s How You Can Use a VPN to Torrent Safely

• Install a high-quality VPN to your device.  NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for safe torrenting. You can also install other reliable VPNs to prevent your IP address from getting tracked.
• Connect to a torrent-friendly server. If your VPN drops unexpectedly, the connection will be cut. You should, therefore, check that your VPN is on.
• Select a server location that is P2P-friendly. Some servers are optimized for torrenting. You should choose them for safe torrenting.
• Once connected, you can open your torrent client and download or upload the desired files.

Conclusion

Torrenting is not illegal if you don’t use it to download copyrighted content that you don’t own the right to.

If you download television, games, movies, or apps that are not in the public domain, you could be breaking copyright laws. In most European countries, illegal torrenting could lead to a warning from local police or a hefty fine.

So you should not torrent illegal files and rely on services like Steam, Spotify, and Netflix to listen to the latest songs and watch your favorite movie. If you plan to torrent, you should use a VPN to ensure your online privacy by encrypting your connection and hiding your IP address.

If you’re still confused about the part of torrenting that is considered illegal, check out the information mentioned above.

This way, you will have a safe and secure torrenting experience and won’t be facing any legal issues. 

Frequently Asked Questions

In Which Countries Is Torrenting Permitted for Personal Use? 

Torrenting is permitted for personal use in countries like Poland, Switzerland, and Spain. However, it is illegal to distribute or use such files for monetary gain. You should check out the laws related to torrenting based on the country wherein you’re living to have a safe torrenting experience.

Do You Need to Worry if You Have Uninstalled UTorrent and Stopped Torrenting?

You don’t need to worry if you have uninstalled uTorrent and stopped torrenting, as torrent tracking is only possible when the upload or download is in process. The past downloads that are saved on your computer can’t be traced by your local authorities.