Torrenting is a file-sharing technology that is widely regarded as the primary method of pirating movies and music. Torrenting is a quick way to download files from the internet. Torrenting is distinguished using advanced peer-to-peer (P2P) technology.
When you download a file, it usually comes from a single server. A single torrent file may be split into multiple parts in a torrent and delivered from unique sources.
Many people are baffled by such behaviour because they don’t understand how it works if torrenting apps are secure and what happens if you get caught.
By the end of our guide, you can learn more about torrenting and open-source software clients, how torrenting works, and how you can torrent content without the copyright holder’s consent if that’s what you wish to do. (Find the Best Torrent Sites Australia)
Can You Go to Jail for Torrenting?
You don’t get arrested for torrenting. Torrenting uses the BitTorrent protocol and is nothing more than a file copy protocol to move files across the internet efficiently. You could get charged for downloading licensed content from copyright holders where you don’t have permission.
In addition, many people ask whether torrenting is legal, particularly in Australia.
One of the most common misconceptions about torrenting is the technology is illegal. Using torrent apps is perfectly legal, and it’s a fantastic way to share large files.
The poor reputation comes from such torrent clients used to download copyrighted content, wherein in many countries, this action is illegal, and pirating copyrighted films, books, or music is prohibited.
You may know that P2P technology is optimized for huge file downloads. You can use torrents to download a legitimate copy of a new operating system to your computer. Also, businesses and colleges use torrenting software to share files internally.
The issue comes that many governments and agencies take a dim view of torrenting illegal content, or even if it’s legal.
The government or your Internet Service Provider sees anything you do online, from websites you visit and files you download. (Learn How to Use the Torrentz2 Search Engine)
What is The Punishment for Torrenting?
One of the top debates globally is the use of the internet and ease content can be downloaded via torrents.
We know torrenting is a type of file sharing, which is not prohibited. However, as most torrented content is copyright protected, it’s easy to end up on the wrong side of the law.
In Australia, internet service providers (ISPs) found themselves in court-facing movie studios and government agencies. Media corporations in Australia recognize it’s nearly impossible to prevent people illegally from torrenting movies and TV shows or other digital content.
They want legislation where internet service providers must ban individual torrenting sites, and so far, there are countless numbers of sites where access is blocked from Australia.
You can find there is no punishment for torrenting, as torrenting is not illegal in Australia. However, if you are involved with downloading unsanctioned copyrighted content, this is prohibited.
Currently, it may not be easy for users to know which is and isn’t content that is legal or illegal to torrent. ISPS are tasked with monitoring the BitTorrent network, as do copyright trolls for illegal activity.
If you are caught, the first step would be a warning letter, or you find your internet connection has been slowed down.
How Long Does It Take to Get Caught Torrenting?
Much of this can vary. While there are many torrent sites blocked in Australia, there are still ones that are not. Also, it mainly depends on what you are downloading and the volume of your torrenting downloads.
Torrenters shouldn’t forget that Australian ISPs are required to maintain user data for two years, so if you are downloading torrents on occasions, they can see how many times you have used torrent sites to download torrent files in this time.
If you download a torrent and it catches the attention of your ISP or copyright troll, you could find you get a letter within a week to 10 days after downloading content protected by copyright.
What Happens if You Get Caught Pirating?
Many countries have issues with torrenting, although Australia is renowned for its level of downloading and the nation became known as the second-largest group of users visiting torrenting sites and potentially breaking the law.
Torrenting, as we know, is just the technology and the client software are the apps that are nothing more than a file download manager.
Using these isn’t illegal in Australia as the apps, and the network protocol is merely a means of file sharing.
However, with copyrighted content, things change as this action can lead to legal action being taken. Besides a torrent client, you can find a few streaming services that offer free movies and TV shows.
As a user uses these, they may think they are using this for personal use. However, the software uses torrents in the background, and as well as offering to stream, users may unknowingly upload parts of the file they have received.
In the eyes of the law, this is piracy, and they can take legal action when you upload (seed) copyrighted content.
It is said you shouldn’t download movies or tv shows inside the first 60 days of their release since it is these times where studios make money. It also happens to be where copyright holders focus anti-piracy efforts.
For any user to be caught, an ISP needs your IP address. This can be done quickly since they are the ones who issue them.
Movie studios may not often take an individual to court, yet that’s not to say it won’t happen. It is the more significant uploaders who can face fines.
You will find the copyright act comes into play with the following:
- If claimants have proof, a website or user is infringing copyright laws
- Websites or users are providing illegal content
- Websites are outside Australia and used to access copyrighted material
- An internet service provider allows easy access to such websites leading to infringements
- People caught sharing intellectual property can face fines.
At the most extreme, it could be possible to see fines up to $60,500 issued or up to five years imprisonment.
When you connect to the internet, your IP address can be traced, and an ISP can point to a specific location. Torrent clients broadcast IP addresses in torrent swarms; thus, it’s straightforward to link things together.
No one condones piracy, yet to protect yourself from copyright trolls or an ISP harvesting your online activity, users should use a VPN for their internet connection. (Find the Best VPN for Torrenting Australia)
Even without torrenting websites to get copyrighted material, you should use a VPN when file sharing using a torrent client. A VPN keeps you safe and will retain your privacy since you never know how safe torrent sites are and that hackers aren’t visiting them to catch users out.
A VPN will take your Australian IP address and change it to another from the virtual private network (VPN) server you connect to. Now, even your ISP can’t see your IP address and record your activities.
Besides making you invisible when torrenting, any users are advised to use VPNs for daily activities. If you decide to start downloading copyrighted material, using a VPN means torrenting without copyright infringement letters showing up on your doorstep.
