Allowing users to stream an incredible range of movies and TV shows for free, plenty of people regularly ask, ‘ is Popcorn time legal or illegal?. Indeed, doesn’t it seem a little bit too good to be true, that all of those blockbusters are available at the click of a button, while Netflix charges a monthly subscription cost?
Interestingly, different countries have different rules when it comes to using services such as Popcorn Time. So knowing if you’ll get in trouble for doing so will require a little research. In this article, I’ll help answer the question is Popcorn time legal in the USA?
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How Does Popcorn Time Work?
Popcorn Time streams video from torrents, which means that it gathers all of its video files from other user’s computers. For the user (that’s you), it all looks and feels exactly like Netflix. So, it’s a simple case of browsing through a library of films and TV shows and just clicking on those you wish to watch.
The reason that Popcorn Time is such an excellent service is that everyone can watch the latest movies for free. Currently, in its beta phase, but is still very user-friendly. Its designers have promised users that they will keep the service running forever.
Popcorn Time app by itself is absolutely legal. What can make it illegal is watching and sharing copyrighted content. Countries with lenient anti-piracy laws allow using Popcorn Time for personal purposes. However, if you are from the US or UK, you should use a VPN to safeguard your Popcorn Time experience.
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How to Use Popcorn Time Safely with a VPN
Here’s what you need to do to make sure you are safe when using Popcorn time:
- Create a new account with NordVPN.
- Install the VPN on your preferred device.
- Start the VPN and connect to a desired server.
- Open Popcorn Time and start watching the content safely.
- This step is very important, once you finish make sure to close the Popcorn time app.
In some cases if the Popcorn Time is not closing after you click on X, then you must force quit it depending on the device you use if it’s a Windows PC by pressing together three keys Control + Alt + Delete, or if it’s a Macbook Option + Command + Esc. Just make sure the app is closed, so it can automatically delete all the files it previously saved on your device while you were streaming.
Can You Get Caught Using Popcorn Time?
If you were to access Popcorn Time with your own IP-address, then yes, you can be caught using Popcorn Time. Of course, the next question you’ll be asking yourself is ‘ can I get in trouble for using Popcorn Time?’.
This question is a little more complicated to answer as every country has different rules regarding shared content. However, in most, if discovered, often the violation of copyright infringement can have serious repercussions.
Were you to use a VPN, however, you would be able to use Popcorn Time without being detectable. See the recommended VPN service providers above for details, or read my reviews of those available here.
What Devices work with Popcorn Time?
Having written this article, it’s only fair that I gave the popcorn time app a try. I managed to find the APK, for my Android smartphone. I downloaded, and installed it, and gave it a try, it worked! Other platforms it is available for, are Windows and Linux PC’s, Mac OSX, Android tablets, iOS iPhones, and iPads. Plus, streaming deceives like the Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV and possibly more.
However, this compatibility continually changes, so, check back as I update the list above.
So Can I Use Popcorn Time in USA?
To answer the question, we set out with: Yes, you can use Popcorn Time in USA, but it’s advisable that you use a VPN. Furthermore, please remain mindful of the content you view. Indeed, it is not illegal to use Popcorn Time in USA, but it is illegal to download and share copyrighted materials. Especially if you do so without the necessary permissions.
Therefore, the best advice I have is to be careful what you download and abide by the law. Additionally, you should be cautious about which videos you upload through a torrent service as this is a serious offense.
Other than that, kick back and enjoy Popcorn Time!
“… it is not illegal to use Popcorn Time in USA, but it is illegal to download and share copyrighted materials.” On PopcornTime, is watching a video the same thing as downloading it? I have no intention of actually downloading it onto a desktop or phone, nor do I do so to share it with other audiences. I simply watch it on a 2nd screen while at work at night. Maybe I’m the only person that truly never downloads movies for later, but I don’t. So, is watching one on PopcornTime the same thing as downloading it? Looking for a bit of clarification here. Thanks.
Hi Rob, Popcorn time is a peer-to-peer streaming service that relies on its users to share the content. This means if you are a viewer you are also a broadcaster which is against copyright law in most countries. Each time you are watching a video PT downloads small bits on your computer that you need to start watching instantly. Then it continues to download until it completes the file. As soon as you close the program these files are deleted from your computer, and I recommend you to keep it that way do not change the settings.
Just make sure to get a torrent-friendly VPN and enable it before using Popcorn time to mask your IP address and protect Internet traffic from monitoring, and disconnect from the VPN only after you close the popcorn time program first.