Can I download movies?
No — downloading (or streaming) movies or series from an illegal source is forbidden. Only legal platforms like Netflix or Streamz are fine. Copying copyright-protected films is not allowed without authorization (art. XI.165 of the Code of Economic Law). The private-copy exception (art. XI.190, 9°) does not cover a download from a manifestly illegal source — the EU Court of Justice ruled so (ACI Adam judgment). Illegal streaming also falls outside the exception (Filmspeler judgment). In practice enforcement mainly targets those who upload or share (torrents), but downloading remains unlawful. Since 1 June 2024 the judge can also quickly have sites blocked: in one year nearly 150 illegal sites were made inaccessible. Anyone infringing risks damages and, for counterfeiting, criminal fines.
📋 The rules
- Copying protected films needs the rightsholder's authorization (art. XI.165 CEL)
- The private-copy exception (art. XI.190, 9°) does not cover a download from an illegal source (CJEU, ACI Adam)
- Illegal streaming also falls outside the exception (CJEU, Filmspeler)
- Enforcement mainly targets uploaders/seeders, but downloading remains unlawful
- Since 1 June 2024: fast judicial blocking of illegal sites (± 150 in a year)
- Legal platforms (Netflix, Streamz, Disney+ …) are of course allowed
🔓 Exceptions
- A private copy is allowed from a legal source (e.g. a DVD you own), for your own use
- Works in the public domain (author died > 70 years ago) or under a free licence may be copied freely
- Legal platforms (Netflix, Streamz, Disney+ …) obviously fall outside the ban: there the rightsholder's permission is already arranged
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Downloading or streaming from an illegal source is copyright infringement. Rightsholders can claim their full damages and obtain an injunction, including against intermediaries such as your internet provider. Anyone who wilfully counterfeits risks a criminal fine of 500 to 100,000 euros and/or 1 to 5 years in prison (Book XV CEL), doubled on repeat. In practice individual downloaders are rarely prosecuted: enforcement targets uploaders and illegal IPTV. Since 1 June 2024 illegal sites also disappear fast behind a court-ordered block: nearly 150 in a single year.
📎 Official sources
- FPS Economy · illegal streaming and downloads →
- FPS Economy · copy for personal use (private copy) →
- deJuristen · torrents, downloading and streaming →
❓ Frequently asked
May I download a film for my own use?
Not from an illegal source. The private copy exception (art. XI.190, 9° CEL) only covers a legal source, as the EU Court of Justice ruled. Pulling a film off a pirate site is therefore copyright infringement.
What about illegal streaming?
That is banned too: in the Filmspeler ruling the EU Court held that you cannot invoke a copying exception for a manifestly illegal source. Only legal streaming services such as Netflix or Streamz are fine.
Will I be prosecuted as a downloader?
Rarely: enforcement focuses on people who upload or share (torrents) and on illegal IPTV. But downloading stays unlawful, and since 1 June 2024 illegal sites are blocked far more quickly.
May I copy a DVD I own?
For purely personal use and from that legal source, a private copy is allowed. Distributing or sharing it is not, and circumventing technical protection can be a separate problem in itself.
What if it does come to a case?
Rightsholders can claim their full damages. Anyone who wilfully counterfeits risks 500 to 100,000 euros in fines and 1 to 5 years in prison (Book XV CEL), and those penalties are doubled on repeat.
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