Dear Rich: My friend wants to upload a Hollywood movie in four parts so that his family can watch it on Facebook, one-fourth of the movie at a time. I told him that will be seriously illegal based on my limited (lay person) understanding of copyright laws. I cannot find the exact answer to the question. Considering that you and your friend have probably spent a disproportionate amount of time in front of warnings like the one shown here, these PSAs must be classified as epic fail. Yes, copying movies without authorization is an infringement. The punishment for Facebook users fits the crime -- if you're caught, you'll be blocked from uploading videos (usually for about six months). Facebook's user agreement also permits the company to terminate your account (horrors!!) and movie studios can also pursue you if they wish (unlikely). So, if Facebook membership is crucial for your existence, it's best not to risk your online presence for the sake of an illegal download.
No comments:
Post a Comment