United States Rule

In the U S copyright rule is enforced by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act DMCA While simply streaming viewing without saving content might seem less risky than spreading it it can still be viewed as a public showing or even duplication under some understandings ISPs often give alerts or reduce speeds based on found actions related to unofficial streaming sites Repeat offenders may face service removal or in rare high-profile cases legal action

The attention usually remains on those who spread pirated content but users reaching such content are working in a legally unclear space with possible though less common consequences

European Union Rule

EU rule especially after the 2017 decision by the European Court of Justice CJEU takes a stricter position This decision made clear that streaming copyrighted content knowingly from an unauthorized place is a copyright breach This is true even if no lasting copy is made National rules