What is a Torrent? Is BitTorrent Legal?

65 Responses (Add) | Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 at 10:27pm

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MadMike wrote in to ask what exactly a Torrent file is, and whether or not they are legal. He also is wondering how you can tell if something IS illegal or not.

A Torrent file isn’t really a file to download, rather it’s a link pointing to where you can download a file from. Torrenting Torrent is a method of distributing large amounts of data widely without the original distributor incurring the entire costs of hardware, hosting and bandwidth resources. Instead, when data is distributed using the Torrent protocol, each recipient supplies pieces of the data to newer recipients, reducing the cost and burden on any given individual source, providing redundancy against system problems, and reducing dependence on the original distributor.

Now, let’s get into the legalities of Torrenting files. I personally use Torrents to download my Linux distros. By downloading them this way, I get them much faster. It saves the companies hosting dollars. Instead of having to supply hosting for the different distros, the developers can simply put them up on a Torrent, and share them that way. That is perfectly legal. Also, downloading different Virtual Machines for VMWare is legal.

The way you get into illegalities, is when you download something that is being distributed without owner permission. This covers most music, film and programs for a computer. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, such as with Indie music or films. They want their stuff circulated, to bring attention to it. For the most part, though, artists and companies do not agree for you to obtain their material without paying for it.

One other thing to remember is that any P2P type file sharing program can cause you to get malware on your computer. Many files that are available for download have attached viruses, trojans, spam, and the like. Simply downloading the seemingly harmless file and trying to “play” it in your favorite media player can quickly infect your machine.

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65 Comments

capaseto

November 22nd, 2007
at 12:09am

Hey Chis, just saw yourt video on “Torrent files”. Well just as a curiosity; I´m a Law student in Spain, and if, you download something illegal (like whatever music with copyright) you are not really doing anything bad. that is, in spanish law. The keypoint in this country for single users is: “benefit”. So if you download files and don´t earn any money with them you´re fine. I don´t know. Police went to a friends home in Denmark to take his hard drive. Not in Spain (thank God). Anyway. You´re videos and show is really cool. Becoming a big fan. And I´m very thankful to you for that. Cheers!! e ya later!

WRC Torrent Blog

November 22nd, 2007
at 5:54am

iliana: This covers most music, film and programs for a computer. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, such as with Indie music or films. They want their stuff circulated, to bring attention to it. For the most part, though,

Fine Stationery Coupon

November 22nd, 2007
at 6:35am

What is a Torrent? Is BitTorrent Legal?

Windows Vista Torrent

November 22nd, 2007
at 7:32am

Tech Interviews Black Friday CouponsWhat is a Torrent? Is BitTorrent Legal?Computer Tips and Help for Novices Free Digital Camera Software: Upgrade Your Canon LEGO Block Building Software One Laptop Per Child vs Asus Eee Notebook PC Internet Dating Tips for Geeks

Brandon

November 23rd, 2007
at 10:34pm

wow that was a pretty cool article. i never knew all of the stuff about bit torrent!

David Beggs

November 24th, 2007
at 8:10pm

Whats up with the vista toolbar? Mine goes crazy. Bad enuf that I have to restart using task mngr. After a google serch It seems like a bunch of folks have the same prob.

2cool4you2

April 16th, 2008
at 5:04pm

Linux itself is the kernel or the base of your system with hardware support, etc with X (allows a graphical interface) with your window manager and enviroment.

BorkGonsam

April 17th, 2008
at 1:18pm

the only sites i would remotely trust is
like said above:
piratebay
and
mininova
try to stick to those sites.

naftnais

April 17th, 2008
at 3:26pm

My friend is leeching all the time :(

narutoultimafan

April 19th, 2008
at 8:33am

i just got one question wtf is a seed?

Nazgul957156

April 19th, 2008
at 1:30pm

lets say you just downloaded a torrent ok? usaully after its downloaded it says “seeding” that means it helps other users download it faster so when choosing a torrent look for one with more seeders then leechers.

darkdoom405

April 21st, 2008
at 3:15am

What’s your e-mail?

ManakinBird

April 21st, 2008
at 5:52am

what is e-mail?

darkdoom405

April 21st, 2008
at 11:19pm

Shut up. I mean e-mail address

rmaldonado0009

April 22nd, 2008
at 12:56pm

LIBARY!

ManakinBird

April 22nd, 2008
at 11:18pm

what is e-mail address?

ManakinBird

April 22nd, 2008
at 11:20pm

lolumad?

ProtoRyu

April 23rd, 2008
at 8:09am

torrent-finder(.)com

UNaruto1990

April 24th, 2008
at 7:06pm

lolz, WTH, I always download from torrents, I never get viruses AT ALL, plus I download illegal stuff and legal stuff, I never bothered thinking of it, that’s the ONLY great think about my country lol…

Ubuntu (Linux) doesn’t actually have any kind of viruses, and it has torrent downloads, how come? or am I wrong, does Ubunutu has torrent downloads?

gh3man10

April 25th, 2008
at 1:58am

is torrent a thing that stayes on while you look at stuff or when your on the starting page can you click on it i dont know help????????

Irishbum719

April 28th, 2008
at 11:23am

…watch the video???

Bon0

April 29th, 2008
at 8:25am

private torrent trackers are in a 99% virus/malware/spyware free

Skittles2642

May 4th, 2008
at 2:20am

I just started downloading torrents and I am worried about getting a virus. I used to download music on limwire and I destroyed my computer. Is it best just not even to take the risk with torrents?

temptation023

May 4th, 2008
at 3:21am

could you tell me some pravite torrent trackers???

jiggles020

May 9th, 2008
at 3:49pm

Try to use one that you have to pay for.

arturohernandez07

May 10th, 2008
at 3:33am

get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u computer freak!!

myguineapig

May 11th, 2008
at 4:17am

asdsasasdsasds

recordcassettecd

May 13th, 2008
at 3:52pm

library :)

maxair95

May 13th, 2008
at 9:26pm

so which 1 is the best? utorrent, azureus or bittorrent?

Boeing757basher07

May 14th, 2008
at 12:53am

Utorrent

Dinimess2k7

May 14th, 2008
at 5:08am

Your a ******* genious !

Movies torrent

May 17th, 2008
at 5:04am

Original post:Is BitTorrent Legal?What is a Torrent?by at Blogdigger Media search for movies torrent

Wii4me

May 17th, 2008
at 9:13am

There isn’t a big difference between them, I reccomend uTorrent or azureus.

Wii4me

May 17th, 2008
at 9:16am

Haha, I just downloaded a Simpsons episode on Limewire a few hours ago.

Wii4me

May 17th, 2008
at 9:16am

Haha, I just downloaded a Simpsons episode on Limewire a few hours ago.

Wii4me

May 17th, 2008
at 9:16am

Haha, I just downloaded a Simpsons episode on Limewire a few hours ago.

killer468

May 17th, 2008
at 10:05am

azeurus is definitley the best. if you have the computer resouces it is definitley better than uttorent

killer468

May 17th, 2008
at 10:05am

azeurus is definitley the best. if you have the computer resouces it is definitley better than uttorent

killer468

May 17th, 2008
at 10:05am

azeurus is definitley the best. if you have the computer resouces it is definitley better than uttorent

jfsoller

May 22nd, 2008
at 4:06am

Freeware could just as well be infected with spyware, trojans, etc.

SuperTaco23

May 23rd, 2008
at 6:21am

LOL “im never going to live that down” btw thx for the info im gonna use bittorrent or utorrent if you know with is better tell me!

SuperTaco23

May 23rd, 2008
at 6:21am

LOL “im never going to live that down” btw thx for the info im gonna use bittorrent or utorrent if you know with is better tell me!

SuperTaco23

May 23rd, 2008
at 6:21am

LOL “im never going to live that down” btw thx for the info im gonna use bittorrent or utorrent if you know with is better tell me!

justmyselve

May 24th, 2008
at 6:13pm

HI!!

very intersting, but now i want to download a Adoon for FS2004 (PAYWARE) now i found a torrent file and i never use Bittorrent befor, and now my questions why does the Programm of Bit torrent does not Download the file?? after 10 mins. i stopp the download because it was on just 0,0% and was it Legal to download Payware adoons??

gettings

Mathias R.