Two major film unions are urging the US government to criminalize streaming. The two of the largest film syndicates describe streaming as today's preferred method visual experience and argue that everyone involved is infringing copyright and should face prison terms.
Please note that under US law, streaming and file sharing are considered as two different offenses. Not only from a technical point of view, but also from a criminal standpoint.
Streaming is characterized as public view instead of distribution, and treated as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.
Lawmakers have already tried to change it with the Commercial Felony Streaming Act, 2011, according to TorrentFreak, but also with the forthcoming SOPA and PIPA bills.
Let's recall that the bills were filed after the public outcry, as many were afraid that even uploading a copyrighted video from YouTube could potentially send them a jail.
So the confusion between streaming and traditional file sharing still remains today, and it seems as if big film companies will try to put it on the political agenda very soon.
This weekteam Directors and officers from Guild of America, Inc. (DGA) and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) responded to the public consultation held by the US Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC), where Daniel Marti asked them to comment on the new intellectual property plan.
"Our members have clearly been affected by copyright infringement and digital theft," the unions said.
"Digital theft erodes the ability of those involved to earn a living and feed their families, depleting the vitality of their pensions and their health."
Traditionally, much more emphasis has been placed on piracy through P2P file-sharing, and immediately afterwards in streaming. The problem, according to trade unions, is that the law still sees it as a minor offense.
"While the illegal uploading of our members' works remains the best known method of stealing on the Internet, illegal streaming has actually become the preferred audio and video experience on the Internet," they say.
"Unfortunately, the law has not kept pace with these new consumer habits. While the illegal downloading and distribution is a felony, the illegal, intentional, and commercial streaming of movies, television programs, and music remains a misdemeanor.”
"We believe that the law should reflect the reality of the digital world. Quite simply, streaming is a criminal offense and has not been criminalized. "
