How to Legally Download Television Shows

Television shows are downloaded illegally when they are transferred from person to person online without the express written consent of the copyright owner. This problem has existed since the invention of video taping, but it has been exacerbated by the growth of the Internet. There are many ways to legally download television shows that are inexpensive and reliable.

Instructions

1. Visit television and cable-network Web sites to watch shows in full. The latest trend in marketing and promotions for television networks is to show full versions of their newest shows. This method allows viewers to legally watch American television from anywhere in the world without resorting to black-market DVDs or illegal downloads.

2. Purchase television shows for your MP3 player or Web-enabled mobile phone. This trend is still relatively new, but major mobile phone and MP3 providers are contracting with television studios to sell their shows for a small fee. This approach may require an investment in a new phone, but that cost is much less than the potential court costs associated with downloading your favorite show illegally.

3. Contact television networks and studios directly to find out ways to legally download your favorite shows. Studios and networks have been at the forefront of promoting legal ways to download television shows over the last few years. A representative from a television network may be able to provide specific places to download legal copies of a show.

4. Examine the legal disclaimers and copyright information on Web sites that allow television downloads. Peer-to-peer networks and filesharing Web sites typically do not have the permission of copyright holders to display their work. These sites often note as much and say that the use of their software for illegal downloading is prohibited.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're named in a copyright-infringement lawsuit, hire an attorney specializing in intellectual property. These experts can help sift through case law and determine whether a Web site had a legitimate claim to allow such downloads in the first place. The American Bar Association Web site has a pro bono listing on a state-by-state basis (see Resources below).

• The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (see Resources below) makes it illegal to utilize or distribute software for the purpose of breaking copyright laws. Infringement of this act can lead to prison time and a significant fine for each violating instance.