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saintgrimm
Visitor

Is this illegal?

I would like to host a channel and share my favorite movies with other people, however I do not own any rights to any of the movies, I'm just an average joe that would like to share some quality flix with other roku members. Would this be considered piracy and illegal?
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3 REPLIES 3
TheEndless
Channel Surfer

Re: Is this illegal?

I'm not a lawyer, but my guess would be that yes, that would be illegal.
My Channels: http://roku.permanence.com - Twitter: @TheEndlessDev
Instant Watch Browser (NetflixIWB), Aquarium Screensaver (AQUARIUM), Clever Clocks Screensaver (CLEVERCLOCKS), iTunes Podcasts (ITPC), My Channels (MYCHANNELS)
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DaBronx
Channel Surfer

Re: Is this illegal?

"TheEndless" wrote:
I'm not a lawyer


I know, you just played one on TV.

But back to the OP's question it appears that you need to own or have the rights to distribute the content per the Roku Developer Agreement (http://wwwimg.roku.com/static/oldlib/legal/roku_channel_developer_agreement.pdf) see 5C -

"Developer must own and, for so long as the Channel Application is available on the
Player, continue to own all right, title, and interest in and to, or have an appropriate license that
includes the right to sublicense, the Content, the Developer Trademarks, and the software code used in
the Channel Application."


And also see 6 about DMCA violations.

brett
55" Insignia-Roku 4K TV, 40" Hisense Roku TV, Roku2 XS #13A164000326, R3 #1GJ36A038993, R4 wired to Netgear WND 3700 router, 300 mb TWC broadband (Subscriber- 2019 MLB.TV Premium, 2018-19 NHL.TV, Hulu+, Netflix, Amazon Prime)
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TheEndless
Channel Surfer

Re: Is this illegal?

"DaBronx" wrote:
"TheEndless" wrote:
I'm not a lawyer


I know, you just played one on TV.

But back to the OP's question it appears that you need to own or have the rights to distribute the content per the Roku Developer Agreement (http://wwwimg.roku.com/static/oldlib/legal/roku_channel_developer_agreement.pdf) see 5C -

"Developer must own and, for so long as the Channel Application is available on the
Player, continue to own all right, title, and interest in and to, or have an appropriate license that
includes the right to sublicense, the Content, the Developer Trademarks, and the software code used in
the Channel Application."


And also see 6 about DMCA violations.

brett

Developer agreement aside, I think it'd be illegal in general. How would making movies available via a Roku channel be any different than putting them up on a website for others to download? Just seems like a bad idea all around...
My Channels: http://roku.permanence.com - Twitter: @TheEndlessDev
Instant Watch Browser (NetflixIWB), Aquarium Screensaver (AQUARIUM), Clever Clocks Screensaver (CLEVERCLOCKS), iTunes Podcasts (ITPC), My Channels (MYCHANNELS)
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