United States Law

In the U S copyright law is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act DMCA Just watching content without downloading it might seem safer than sharing it but it may still be seen as publicly showing or copying something ISPs often give warnings or slow down internet speeds if they find activity on unofficial viewing sites People who keep breaking the rules might have their services stopped or rarely face legal action

The main focus is usually on those who share illegal content but users who watch it are in a unclear legal area with possible but less common results

European Union Law

EU law especially after the 2017 ruling by the European Court of Justice CJEU has a firmer position This ruling made clear that watching copyrighted content knowingly from a source that is not allowed is breaking copyright law This is true even if a permanent copy is not made Laws in EU countries differ in how they are enforced Some countries like Germany are more strict in taking action against individuals than others