Thread: Downloading in Canada

Hi,

Just wondering if its illegal to download movies, tv shows and software in Canada. I was always under the impression that downloading is fine as long as you arent selling it to other people.

Also theres talk of a new piracy law anybody know about it?



Thanks

I think this is a very grey (or gray) area right now. I think the cdn gov't is looking to move in the direction of the american copyright law but we have a strong opposition to this.

Now you haven't specifically said you're worried about being caught but I always am, I'm quite paranoid in fact. If you are worried, the safest thing for you to do is to not download... -_-

But since you're a member here that's probably not in your books, here are some tips on how to not to get caught. I'd also advise staying away from robbers or bhell if you can, I just don't trust them.

Yes it is still illegal but in Canada it has been largely ignored. Things are changing now though. Best thing you can do is use a seedbox. This way the seedbox IP is seen and any abuse notices are sent to the seedbox provider not your ISP. Use your box to get the torrents and than transfer from your box to your home computer with encryption. Your ISP really doesn't care what you download until they are pressured.

Originally Posted by SeedKing

Yes it is still illegal but in Canada it has been largely ignored. Things are changing now though. Best thing you can do is use a seedbox. This way the seedbox IP is seen and any abuse notices are sent to the seedbox provider not your ISP. Use your box to get the torrents and than transfer from your box to your home computer with encryption. Your ISP really doesn't care what you download until they are pressured.

^^ seedbox company promoting seedboxes Not that I disagree at all, in fact I agree with SeedKing's post (I have a box too). I just find it quite humorous also.

Originally Posted by SeedKing

Your ISP really doesn't care what you download until they are pressured.

This is true. Unlike the US which is pretty much forcing ISPs to police their users proactively, cdn ISPs just trundle along until the americans come and scream at them and force them to react. At least with the States, you know where you stand. With Canada, you may or may not be doing something depending on who's asking when...true north strong and FREE my butt (yes, I am a proud Canadian, just not proud of every aspect)

Yeah I run peerblock although I know it doesnt do much. I agree that it looks like seed boxes are the way to go. I guess downloading in Canada is like smoking weed, theres laws but its not really inforced.

Canada is not nearly as litigious as say Germany or the U.S. Copyright law has been rather liberal, copyright enforcement has not been a priority and many court challenges against infringement have failed. Of course that didn't sit well with industry interests and the lobbyists have been successful in their efforts to get the federal government to introduce sweeping changes in copyright law in Canada.

So although Canada is relatively low risk and personal infringment has seldom been enforced in the past - that appears to be changing. p2p file sharing software and public trackers have become bigger targets. And using a seedbox would be a wise precaution.