Two major film unions are urging the US government to criminalize streaming. The two largest film unions describe streaming as today's preferred viewing experience and argue that all those involved are violating copyrights and should face prison sentences.
It should be noted that according to US law, streaming and file-sharing are considered two different offenses. Not only from a technical point of view, but also in terms of criminal treatment.
Streaming is characterized as public display, rather than distribution, and is treated as a misdemeanor, not a felony.
Lawmakers have already tried to change this with the Commercial Felony Streaming Act in 2011, according to TorrentFreak, and with subsequent bills SOPA and PIPA.
Let us recall that the bills were shelved after public outcry, as many feared that even uploading a copyrighted video from YouTube could potentially land them in prison.
Thus, the confusion between streaming and traditional file-sharing remains even today, and it seems that major film companies will try to put it on the political agenda very soon.
This week, Directors and Officers from the Guild of America, Inc. (DGA) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) responded to a public consultation conducted 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 infringements and digital theft,” the unions said.
“Digital theft erodes the ability of those involved to earn a living and feed their families, depletes the vitality of their pensions and their health.”
Traditionally, there has been much greater emphasis on piracy through P2P file-sharing, and soon after streaming. The problem, according to the unions, is that the law still sees it as a lesser offense.
“While illegal downloading of our members’ works remains the best known method of theft on the Internet, illegal streaming has actually become the preferred audio and video experience on the Internet,” they report.
“Unfortunately, the law has not kept pace with these new consumer habits. While illegal downloading and distribution is a felony, the illegal, intentional, and commercial streaming of movies, television programs, and music remains a misdemeanor.”
“We believe the law should reflect the reality of the digital world. Quite simply, streaming is a criminal act and has not been criminalized.”
