That being said, you’re probably not going to go to jail for watching a free movie every once in a while. So, yes, using The Pirate Bay website is illegal. They may own that content, but they were not given the permission to share it. They could face jail time because they are uploading content without the permission of the rights holders.
People uploading files to The Pirate Bay could be in danger of being charged of copyright infringement, like the creators of the site. However, those downloading are less likely to be punished than the ones uploading. Because of this, you could go to jail for downloading these links. The right holders of those films, tv shows, etc are not giving your permission to own them for free. Once you download a file, however, you are breaking a law because that information is being shared illegally. People can log on to the website, search through torrents, and see what the site has to offer.
Technically, the Pirate Bay website itself is not illegal. Though there are ways to avoid laws with The Pirate Bay, anyone using the site should know they could potentially get trouble. It’s no secret that The Pirate Bay is not particularly legal.
Last Updated: 26 April, 2021, EST The Legality of the Pirate Bay Network
