Film and series fans should check carefully which apps they use!

As the Schleswig-Holstein consumer advice center informs, users of video apps risk a warning for copyright infringement with high claims for damages if they come across illegal file sharing providers such as “Popcorn Time”, “Stremio” or “Showbox”.

Over 100 young adults in Schleswig-Holstein are affected every month.

File sharing with the tablet

Many video apps offer films and series for free without having the necessary licensing rights. This is hardly noticeable to users because the design is similar to that of reputable streaming apps, and the illegal competitors can be found in all major app shops.

Anyone who uses them takes a high risk because these apps engage in file sharing. The principle: While a user is playing videos, films are downloaded unnoticed in the background to their smartphone or tablet and uploaded again for other users.

“If the necessary licenses are missing, there is a risk of a warning for copyright infringement with high claims for damages,”

warns Dr. Boris Wita, lawyer at the Schleswig-Holstein consumer advice center.

“We currently receive over 100 legal consultations per month due to such warnings.”

The compensation claims are around 1,000 euros per warning.

Be careful with free offers for current films

The file sharing apps “Popcorn Time”, “Stremio” and “Showbox” have already attracted attention. Cell phone users should therefore check very carefully which apps they download.

“If current films and series are available for free, that is a warning signal. Such offers are often illegal.”

explains the expert. Under no circumstances should consumers use video apps for which it is not clear whether the provider has the license rights. Anyone who receives a warning with a claim for damages should definitely legal advice . The lawyers at the consumer advice center examine the cases and provide help for self-help.


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )