Legal Free Movie Downloads

Illegally downloading movies from the Internet involves video transfer to a user without the consent of the copyright holder. The legal argument given by peer-to-peer software companies and others is that the ability to watch a movie is not an infringement upon a copyright.

To avoid legal and financial problems, Internet users should understand how to legally download movies as currently defined by federal law.

Step 1
Bookmark Web sites that have developed relationships with movie studios to show clips or full-length versions of their films. There are a number of video-sharing and social-networking Web sites (such as Yahoo! and MySpace) used by movie studios to reach millions of Internet users. Users who view material on these Web sites are free to watch as much as they want.

Step 2
Utilize your video-enabled MP3 player or mobile phone to download extended clips or full-length versions of your favorite films. Movie studios are working with MP3 and mobile-phone providers to stave off copyright infringement through the purchase of downloadable files. This process is still in its infancy, and costs are still high for phones or MP3 players with video options.

Step 3
Get in touch with movie studios or a representative from the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) to discuss the latest trends in legal movie downloads. These organizations are willing to speak with concerned viewers who want to know how they can utilize new technology without infringing upon copyright laws.

Step 4
Ascertain the rights of peer-to-peer and social-networking Web sites to provide movie downloads by reading their legal disclaimers. Legitimate Web providers of copyrighted movies will go out of their way to demonstrate that they have permissions and partnerships to allow movie downloads. If you can't find any such disclaimers, chances are the distribution of content from that site is not legal.

5 websites for legal free movie downloads

Here are five great movie download websites where you can legally get a free movie download and burn them to a DVD to watch with your sweetie, family, and friends this weekend.


The Internet Archive
This is the motherlode for all kinds of free media (it's even got video games). The Archive has loads of old movies, foreign films, documentaries, and more.

There's even a couple of movies about ice cream (hey, we just blog about this stuff -- we can't explain it either).


Emol
If comedy and cartoons are what you're after, Emol.org is the place to go. Here's where you'll find Charlie Chaplin, The Three Stooges, Bugs Bunny, and Popeye.


Angry Alien
Just because none of these sites are likely to have the latest box office blockbuster available, that doesn't mean you can't still watch Fight Club, Pulp Fiction, or Star Wars. In less than 30 seconds. Acted out by bunnies.


Public Domain Torrents
Head here for B-movies "Like Attack of the Giant Leeches", "Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter" (wonder what that love child looks like?), and "Track of the Moon Beast". On the other hand, you'll also find "Night of the Living Dead" on this site -- so it's not all bad.


Atom Films
There are some very creative films on this site made up of mostly user-created content.

AtomFilms is a service of MTV Networks that serves up content to mobile phones and Web sites, but since they're partnered with Comedy Central and Spike TV there are a few gems on here if you poke around a bit.