Dec 22, 2020
Image via Getty/Photo by Mike Kline (notkalvin)
A part of the massive 5,500+ page government funding/COVID-relief package that is expected to be passed through Congress in the next few days will include a legislative priority for the entertainment industry that will bump up the penalty for operating a for-profit illegal streaming service from a misdemeanor to a felony. Under the new law a violation of this rule could land someone in prison for up to 10 years.
Deadline
Felony streaming. Establishes criminal penalties, including prison time, for those who “willfully, and for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain, offer or provide to the public a digital transmission service” that offers unauthorized movies and TV shows. Penalties include fines and sentences of up to three years, or five years if the offense involved one or more titles, and “the person knew or should have 7 known that the work was being prepared for 8 commercial public p
Illegal Streaming Could Become a Felony Under New COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
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Illegal Streaming Could Become a Felony Under New COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
The entertainment industry is getting $15 billion from Congress, which adds in new copyright laws.
Congress is expected to pass a massive COVID-19 stimulus bill within the next few days that will provide relief to movie theaters and live entertainment venues. Additionally, illegal streaming will become a felony, which is another win for studios. Getting relief to these businesses and individuals has been a priority for Congress over the past few weeks, with a deadline fast approaching to get everything signed off by the end of the year. This has also given them time to bring some special interest in underneath the radar.