Quote:
Originally Posted by harry_hitch
Do not use the DNS or VPN things myself, but they are not illegal. As I understand it, it is not illegal to watch the netflix content from the abroad, it is just a possible breach of the terms and conditions. I think the worst result of gaining content access this way would be to have the users account cancelled.
You could ask if the practice is immoral (I am not, people are paying Netflix etc, for the services after all) but as I understand it, it is not illegal.
Will be happy to be shown wrong where I am wrong in my thought process.
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Section 1 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990?
The Netflix T&C are primarily there to cover their backs in case the rights owners come after them.
Certain content is not available in the UK because exclusive rights have been sold to other parties, e.g. Sky. The subscription you pay Netflix in the UK reflects that content set.
The price Sky etc. pay rights holders reflects that exclusivity, in expectation of income from subscriptions. People accessing that material by misrepresenting their location deprive them of that income and are surely just as guilty of 'piracy' as downloading it from torrents.
Rights holders are big companies and big money is involved. Just because they have not hitherto pursued this issue does not mean they will not do so, particularly if they see their business interests threatened.
---------- Post added at 14:50 ---------- Previous post was at 14:18 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by passingbat
When did VPN services become illegal?
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VPN's are not illegal, and there are no doubt many legitimate uses for them.
However. using them for "unauthorised" access to "data held in any computer, or to enable any such access to be secured" probably IS an offence under the CMA 1990. The Netflix T&C presumably make it quite clear what is and is not 'authorised'.