FAQ

Where can I legally find movies and TV shows online?

Thanks for asking! This is a major push throughout the industry today. We know we have to deliver diverse, innovative ways for consumers to enjoy our movies and TV shows when, where and how they choose. The good news? The list is growing all the time.

What is "piracy?"

Piracy includes the unauthorized copying or use of copyrighted materials. With regard to film and television, the term primarily relates to illegally downloading and/or uploading movies and other creative content on the Internet and making and/or selling unauthorized copies of DVDs.

What are copyrights?

Copyrights protect those who make a living with their creativity, whether through movies, TV shows, music, software, books and games. Copyright protection of films and television helps preserve the jobs of 2.5 million Americans who work as actors, writers, set painters, electricians, carpenters and in the many other fields that combine to make movie magic.

What is the difference between trademarks and copyright?

Trademarks are names, designs or logos used to identify the source of a product. Trademarks can last as long as they are used for that purpose. Copyrights, on the other hand, give the creators of original works certain exclusive rights to exploit the work, usually for a limited time.

What are the penalties for camcording?

Illegal recordings of movies in the theater are the single largest source of fake DVDs sold on the street and unauthorized copies of movies distributed on the Internet. For this reason, camcording is a serious offense. It is a federal felony in the United States. First-time violators can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined up to $250,000. Also, 43 states have anti-camcording laws.

What are the penalties for illegally downloading/uploading movies on the Internet?

Let's just say it's a bad idea. Illegal downloading of movies is often done via peer-to-peer (P2P) services. Typically the way these services operate, when you download an illegal file , you also agree to make that file available (along with everything else on your computer's "shared folder") to other members of the P2P network. This means you're not only in possession of stolen goods, but you're also a distributor. In the eyes of the law, this is a much more serious offense involving civil and criminal penalties. Bottom line: It's not worth it. Here's a list of sites that offer movies and TV shows easily and legally online.

What is the MPAA doing to protect intellectual property?

To be effective, we know that we have to achieve two things. We have to be tireless champions of protecting creative works and intellectual property rights, and we have to be equally committed to clearing a path to diverse, legal choices for consumers to enjoy movies and TV shows when, where and how they choose. Toward that end, we are working with our many partners--from consumers to policymakers to law enforcement to educators to the techology community--to safeguard intellectual property rights and promote awareness of the central role they play in creating jobs and promoting the health and stability of our information economy. Toward this end, we are engaged in efforts ranging from aggressively pursuing those who engage in the mass production and distribution of illegal copies of copyrighted film and TV shows, to promoting digital citizenship and education for school kids, to championing intellectual property rights protections in new trade agreements to promoting innovative consumer choices to enjoy movies and TV shows in flexible and hassle-free new ways.

What is P2P?

Illegal copying and distributing copyrighted movies and TV shows over the Internet is often done using ?peer-to-peer? (P2P) software, which allows your computer to exchange files with other computers. P2P services usually configure their software so that any files you download (and any other personal files in your ?shared folder?) are automatically made accessible to anyone else on the P2P network. If you're tempted, please think again: If you use the Internet to illegally download and upload movies, you are not anonymous. Your computer's unique IP address is easily traceable to this unlawful activity.

What technology does the MPAA embrace?

We are open to any technology that achieves our dual objectives of expanding consumer choice and protecting intellectual property rights. We are committed to a seamless, hassle-free experience for consumers that allows them to enjoy movies and TV shows in diverse and innovative ways, and we are committed to working with the technology community to continue down this path and bring to fruition the full promise of the digital era.

Does piracy REALLY hurt the film industry?

Absolutely, yes. The global film industry lost $18.2 billion in 2005 as a result of piracy (and, no, that estimate does not assume that everyone who watched a movie illegally for free would have otherwise purchased every last film). For any industry, this is a devastating impact that means jobs, economic growth and (critical to all movie and TV fans) new projects that don't see the light of day. Consumers who turn to illegal options often get poor quality, incomplete works. There are fewer jobs to go around. There is less economic growth from this creative industry, and fewer movies and TV shows get made. Whether the issue is getting our economy moving again or getting diverse, quality works out to the public, intellectual property theft hurts creators and fans alike. There are so many easy, affordable ways to enjoy movies and TV shows legally. Why not get the genuine article?