OK to stream illegal movies?

Netflix. Hulu. Video On Demand. And now Kodi.

 

With a variety of ways to legally watch movies outside of theaters, many people are bypassing subscription-based services and watching movies illegally for free online, specifically on movie-pirating boxes.

The Kodi Box, for example, has recently grown in popularity, giving people the opportunity to stream any movie online for free just by connecting a small black box to their televisions with the Kodi software installed in it.


The Kodi Box has a variety of movie add-ons that consist of piracy websites, giving you the chance to watch these movies on your TV for free, via the internet. But is it too good to be true? Is this method of streaming legal?


The answer is yes, it is legal to buy the boxes, but no, it’s technically not legal for the pirating websites to post pre-loaded links with copyrighted content. So, by buying the boxes and streaming movies from illegal sources, you are technically engaging in illegal activity. Many third-party Kodi add-on developers even called it quits this year following legal threats from Hollywood studios.


While streaming movies online for free may not be the morally right option for movie lovers, it is definitely the easiest and the cheapest. Seeing that you have the ability to stream not only movies for free, but any TV program as well, the $49.99 price for most Kodi Boxes is nothing short of a bargain.


Just look at the competition. Hulu costs $7.99 per month and Netflix costs $10.99 per month. Renting movies on demand can be costly, usually between $3 and $4 for a single movie that you can only view for 48 hours. So again, $49.99 is a steal.


I’m a proud owner of the Kodi Box and the convenience is undeniable. I’ve watched multiple movies a day all for free.


I’m a loyal Netflix watcher, but if the prices continue to increase, the Kodi Box will officially take up all of my time.


Sometimes you need to choose between the most ethical option and the most beneficial option. I don’t see myself as truly participating in illegal activity, as I am not the one stealing from the movie studios; I’m just a part of this growing trend.


​Because of this, I advise you to do the same.