90+ Lawyers are online 
Torrent Site Laws in India: What You Need to Know
January 22, 2025Torrent has been long associated as ' heaven' for people wanting to watch the latest movies and series for free. Nobody would want to wait over a week to watch a new episode of series like Game of Thrones, or to watch a movie like Oppenheimer. Torrent made it easier to download the whole series in one go and also save money by not spending a copious amount on tickets for next Friday' s release.
In recent days there has been a lot of buzz around a new notice that certain users are seeing on blocked URLs in India: -
Something on the lines of "this URL has been blocked in compliance with Court orders or as per the instructions of Govt. Authorities and that viewing, downloading, duplicating, creating illicit copies of the contents on this page/url is an offence and is punishable under the Indian laws, including but not limited to Sections 63, 63-A, 65, and 65-A of The Copyright Act of 1957. A violator can be imprisoned for up to 3 years and may also be fined up to INR 3,00,000. Any individual/person who is aggrieved by such blocking may contact the concerned authorities and proceed with relevant proceedings for redressal of your grievance."
The notorious aspect of this warning is that few media reports are claiming that just visiting a blocked URL, could lead to a 3 year term jail and be fined up to Rs 300,000. This has sent users into a frenzy with many imagining getting arrested any moment.
Even viewing blocked URLs may get you arrested?
This is perhaps the most popular myth about the hullabaloo surrounding the ban. The notice doesn' t say that visiting a blocked URL will get you arrested, but the viewing of, downloading, exhibiting, or duplicating/copying an illicit copy of the contents of this URL. In simpler words, visiting a torrent website won' t get you arrested, but downloading pirated content from these websites could. Similarly, watching illegal streams online could also land you in trouble.
Why the viewers are being made liable?
The Bombay High Court recently in its Dishoom John Doe order passed on July 26, 2016, instructed the internet service providers in India to not just block URLs, but also explain to the users, why the URLs have been blocked and possibly warn them of the consequences of illegally accessing copyright work.
Is this a complete ban on torrent sites?
Not anytime soon. Not all torrents have been banned. There are numerous torrents available and no sooner is one torrent taken down, than it is replaced by several others. Even blocked torrents are accessible using easily available virtual private networks. These VPNs are more secure from detection. But torrent users face uncertain times ahead. The state agencies everywhere in the world are catching up and going after big torrents. The arrest of the world' s largest Bit Torrent distributor Kickass Torrent' s founder and the Kickass Torrent subsequently going offline is just the latest in what is emerging as a trend.
In India, once blocked these torrents and other URLs remain blocked for years. And courts are liberally granting requests for preventive blocking of websites on the wishes of filmmakers and content creators.
Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi
5 years
These guides are not legal advice, nor a substitute for a lawyer
These articles are provided freely as general guides. While we do our best
to make sure these guides are helpful, we do not give any guarantee that
they are accurate or appropriate to your situation, or take any
responsibility for any loss their use might cause you. Do not rely on
information provided here without seeking experienced legal advice first. If
in doubt, please always consult a lawyer.
Comments by Users
No Comments! Be the first one to comment.
Popular Cyber Crime Lawyers
User Reviews
4.9 - 25 reviews
is recording clips of movies in theatre illegal?
can I get prosecuted for content downloaded through torrent before it became illegal?
is searching for torrent sites also a crime?
can I get arrested for downloading movies from torrents?
is recording clips of movies in theatre illegal?
why is the torrent being blocked?
why is the torrent being blocked?
can I get arrested for downloading movies from torrents?
can I get prosecuted for content downloaded through torrent before it became illegal?
is searching for torrent sites also a crime?
Good work with the article.
very well written
Nice one.
it’s a very nice legal article
needed more information. Where to call?
good work
Detailed and informative.
solved my queries.
good article. Can you share more detail
Very good article
nice one. Please share more info
good advice. Who can I contact for my legal issue?
its very helpful on the subject
very helpful and detailed
it’s a very good article
VIEW ALL
