An illegal torrent is a file or multiple files downloaded without the permission of the copyright holder. In layman’s terms, the person downloading the files did not purchase them, nor were they gifted these files. The term illegal torrent is somewhat misleading because a torrent is simply a file that tells a BitTorrent™ client where to download the actual illegal files, i.e, music, games, or movies. Most people, however, refer to torrents as if they are the actual copyrighted music, game, or movie files that are downloaded illegally. Due to this, torrents in general have developed a bad reputation, even though plenty of files available through BitTorrent™ technology are purchased, no longer copyrighted, or available free to use in the first place.

Whether or not torrents are illegal – uploading or downloading – has nothing to do with it being a torrent. It’s illegal to download or upload via any means including a torrent a pirated movie. It’s totally legal to upload or download your own files via a torrent. Jul 23, 2016 - Only if it is copyrighted material. But even then it is not necessarily illegal. It mainly depends on the content you are downloading and what you do with it.

Is Downloading Illegal

Is Downloading Movies Illegal

Torrents are downloaded using BitTorrent™ protocol, which enables a person to download from hundreds of other people’s computers at once. BitTorrent™ technology was developed in the early 2000s and became extremely popular because, in many situations, it lets people download files more quickly than just downloading it from one computer. Not all files are shared through BitTorrent™ protocol are legally owned by the sharer, however, which leads to Internet piracy. It also leads to more infected computers; studies show that a healthy percentage of torrent files — both legal and illegal — contain malware, which can range in severity from pop-up ads to software designed to help the intruder gather credit card numbers.