There’s a lot of confusion between downloading and streaming, with many people assuming that streaming a movie online is not the same as downloading it. However, when you’re using any device on the internet, if you’re seeing something on your screen from the web, you are downloading it. Even if you’re watching a movie online and streaming it, you are still downloading it.
The difference with streaming is that these files are temporary. They’re in your cache or buffer and can only hold a certain amount of space. In contrast, when you download a file, your computer downloads the whole file, but you won’t be watching it as you download it.
Many people also get confused about copyright when it comes to streaming or downloading movies. Some believe that streaming a movie is okay because you’re not actually breaching the copyright, but it’s not okay if you download it. However, if you’re streaming a movie, you’re still making copies of that file, they’re just temporary copies, and sometimes only part copies. Whereas, if you download a file, you’re making a full copy.
It’s worth noting that when people refer to downloading, they’re often talking about torrents, which aren’t always illegal and can be used for legal activities. However, many people use torrents to access copyrighted content, which is where the problem lies. Torrents are generally the main culprit of people receiving letters from their internet service provider. This is because torrents are a peer-to-peer network, which means that while you’re downloading a file, you’re also uploading it to lots of different people, providing them with access to the content.
Although using a VPN can help you get around copyright laws, it’s important to remember that accessing copyrighted content is illegal. It’s also essential to note that if you’re accessing copyrighted content via torrents, you’re not just downloading it, you’re also distributing it, which is a lot worse.
In conclusion, while there may be some confusion between streaming and downloading, they’re essentially the same thing. When it comes to accessing copyrighted content, it’s not okay to stream or download it. If you choose to use torrents, you’re not just downloading copyrighted content, but you’re also distributing it. If you’re concerned about receiving letters from your ISP, using a VPN can help, but the best approach is to avoid accessing copyrighted content in the first place.