Is watching full movies on YouTube stealing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter michael-kaw
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

michael-kaw

Guest
I have already made at least one thread where I mentioned this but they got a bit messed up. If I were to watch a film on YouTube that wasn’t legally uploaded would that be sinful. I don’t particularly think so because it’s not me that is doing the distribution. Also if someone was to say that I am supporting it, I don’t think one view out of thousands would make a difference. However the only thing I am struggling with is the fact that the pleasure you are getting from watching the film, the makers aren’t getting any sort of money or credit from it, could I have some clarification? Thank you.
 
All copyright owners have the right to copy and distribute. If there is no “Warner Brothers Pictures” or “Standard Youtube License” notice, or similar, then the movie is there illegally. Books from my company, and others, are made available through various outlets without our permission. We send in take-down notices all the time. In the case of youtube, a movie can be taken down one day and reappear a little later. So, unless there is a “license” notice or studio name and the downloader is b0b_34-nonpres or zumas56++j0, odds are it’s an illegal download.

Take-down notices are under the “safe harbor” part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Youtube is not required to monitor all downloaded content but is required to remove a particular download if the copyright owner sends in a take-down request. Again, even if one specific download is taken down, that does not mean one or two others will appear of the same movie shortly after.
 
michael-kaw said:
However the only thing I am struggling with is the fact that the pleasure you are getting from watching the film, the makers aren’t getting any sort of money or credit from it, could I have some clarification?
Click to expand...
You know exactly why it’s not right, for the reason you just gave – the makers aren’t getting the money or credit from it that they’re entitled to.
How would you feel if someone stole your work?
 
i see old movies on you tube all the time.
i thought it was okay to watch them or they would not be there for free. i don’t download them. i have watched 2-3.
i never see contemporary movies.
 
It’s such a trifle.

Besides I think more people violate copyright laws by watching illegally uploaded music on YouTube.

Either way it’s not that big of a deal.
 
Certain movies are no longer covered under copyright law (in the public domain), and those can be posted anywhere without issue.
 
Copyright for movies can be renewed. Mickey Mouse movies from the dim past will be protected forever.
 
I know, it wasn’t a blanket statement. I know a lot of old sci-fi and horror movies are in the public domain, which is what I was talking about.

My point is, you can’t assume something is illegal, and you can’t assume its there legally. Just check to see if it’s in the public domain.

If you’re looking for stuff that is definitely legal to watch online: http://publicdomainmovies.net/
(Note: I can’t speak to appropriateness of the full library.)
 
Last edited:
Copyrights cannot last forever. That goes against the constitution
 
And yet Disney has managed to keep getting it’s copyrights extended to something like ten times their original length…
 
Because they spend millions on lobbying for acts of extension of copyright. I think it’s creatively abhorrent - come up with something new and stop relying on things made by dead men nearly a century ago.
 
The copyright laws are the original authors life plus seventy years.

In the thirties works were only protected for about forty years. In 1909 it was twenty
 
Last edited:
Huh, I thought it was originally ten years. Either way, it’s pretty awful what they’ve managed to do.
 
Last edited:
YouTube has extensive Copyright protections in place. It’s safe to assume that stuff on YouTube is legal.
 
SacredHeartBassist said:
The copyright laws are the original authors life plus seventy years.

In the thirties works were only protected for about forty years. In 1909 it was twenty
Click to expand...
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if the owner is considered to be a corporation instead of a person, then the copyright would last as long as the corporation exists (plus seventy years). Right?

I think that’s why some publishers and production companies have obtained the copyright from the authors/writers
 
I don’t think you’re stealing. Watching anything on Youtube does not make you take possession of the content being watched. Stealing is “taking” the physical property of another. And in order for copyright infringement to exist, you personally would have to have taken the content and used it for personal gain or false self attribution, by reproducing or distributing it yourself, of which you’re doing neither. If the content you are watching violates Youtube’s policies, then the person who uploaded it is the person in trouble, not you.
 
Watch movies which the copyright holder didn’t post there would be illegal, and I would say a sin as that person/entity put money into making the thing and isn’t getting ad revenue off it. Exceptions would be if its old (copyright expired) or abandoned (no clear ownership). Fair use (at least in the USA) would cover you for movie clips but not the whole movie.
I agree with @edwest211, @CoffeeAndDonuts and @ProdglArchitect that copyright terms are too long, but that is a matter for governments to decide and for us to hold them accountable.
Also agree with @Arkansan- but the algorithm isn’t perfect.
 
I think this would fall under the concept of “fruit of the poisonous tree.” Just because you didn’t perpetrate the illegal action does make it inherently okay to benefit from it.

It’s a big grey area, as copyright law is incredibly convoluted, as is the way it coincides with moral law. For instance, downloading a movie is stealing. You get the benefit of it without paying for it. However, what about movies you can’t find anywhere to purchase legally (and legitimately… bootlegs are still stealing.) I’ve been having this trouble with Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. I want to buy it, but I can’t find a legitimate site to purchase it from >_>
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top