Streaming Copyrighted Video

[Pandorum]

Is it illegal to stream a copyrighted video on your website that is not hosted on your website?

 

[FlyingRon]

I'm not sure just what you're asking, but I can guarantee that if you do not own the rights to the video, it's illegal.

 

[Pandorum]

The copyrighted video is not HOSTED on my website. It's only streamed using flash player.

 

[FlyingRon]

Actual "hosting" location matters little. You don't get a free ride on copyright infringement because you're stealing bandwidth as well.

 

[The Occultist]

Streaming actually has its own specific set of laws, and are more restrictive than most copyright laws. Read: do not do it.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

US Law Only

How can you stream something that you do not host?

If you are simply posting a link on your website that refers to the streamed video (using an embed link or similar), you may not be breaking the law. I think it's still a grey area as the content is going directly from the server to the client.

If you are bringing the stream into your server and reflecting it back to a client, that's a no-no.