Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property

Q: unknowingly downloaded copyrighted material.

I downloaded a game which released in 2016 from torrent 3 days ago. I didn't know what is torrent and I didn't know what I was doing is illegal.I watched a YouTube video teaching how to download the game and so I followed the video step by step and downloaded it and torrent, they didn't mention about illegal problems so I really have no idea. After I learned about it, I deleted everything immediately. However, I think this might too late since I already downloaded it. i'm so worry about what is going to happen and I don't know what to do.

I did some research and mostly said I might need to pay for tens or hundreds of thousands dollars bill for downloading illegal copyrighted material. I don't think I can pay for it, I am still a student who do not have a job.

It was my first time downloaded copyrighted material illegally and I didn't know it. Do you think I could have a second change or something?

2 Lawyer Answers
Steve Charles Vondran
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Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • San Francisco, CA

A: Having defended hundreds of these BitTorrent download cases (mostly Strike 3 Holdings, LLC movies), the best I can tell you (not legal advice) is to STOP downloading and sharing movies. If you are found to have downloaded, let's say, 20 or more movies - that is about the lowest number I have seen them pursue - yes, they could eventually find out and come after you by filing either a "Bill of Discovery" in Miami-Dade County Court (Florida) seeking your name and address, or sometimes they will just file a lawsuit, for example in the Central District of California or Northern District of California (two popular venues). So, STOP your downloading immediately. That is step one for sure. Good luck

Marcos Garciaacosta and Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp agree with this answer

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
Answered
  • Intellectual Property Lawyer
  • Mesa, AZ

A: As indicated already, stop doing it. Remove anything.

And wait to see if anybody contacts you about it. If that happens consult with an attorney.

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