Privacy or creativity?

[RachyRach]

Is using a VPN to access region-locked content piracy or just creative problem-solving?

[Orion84]

I wouldn't call it "piracy" because it doesn't fit the definition. You're not stealing content.

AFAIK there's no rules/laws against using a VPN to skirt regional restrictions, so I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with doing so. I don't really understand the point behind region restrictions, in the first place.

I've used VPNs for that very purpose, on multiple occasions.

[RachyRach]

Likewise. I was just wondering if we were skirting the boundaries haha

[NathanDavis]

VPN's are just tools...

whatever different people do with it, can vary in so many ways

but the key to the tool is... privacy

[purplepoppy]

VPN isn't secure. It's the equivalent of tip toeing around in a black and white sweater wearing a face mask and carry a sack with SWAG written on it in big letters.

Billions of people use the Internet each second, so how do you choose who to spy on? Just create a program that let's people think they're safe, one that hides whatever you're up too.

[Anonymous]

If it were illegal, the VPN companies would not be allowed to do it. They're very heavily regulated as it is, the whole internet and communications industry is.

[Nikki1989]

Using a VPN to access region‑locked content isn’t piracy, but it can violate terms of service.

[OneViewpoint]

I use encrypted VPN for security. I've never had any reason to pirate anything.

[Anonymous]

I thought VPN was to allow you to privately get from where you're at, to the site you want to GET to. (a tunnel of privacy). Except that you are sometimes prevented from getting to where you want to get to if your VPN is turned on.

[Darthskywalker6969]

I think it's legal to use a VPN ☺

[sawno]

I don't consider it piracy

[ChicoFromThe305]

Depends who you ask I suppose

[loveslongnails]

Smart thinking.

[FrodoSkywalker007]

I think it's fine

[Abbycado]

No issue.

[MrChinaski]

Piracy. 🤐

[MrChinaski]

Content is expensive to make and costless to view. So they need to charge someone somewhere to cover the costs of making it. If everyone pays less then shockingly we all end up with less content. But on top of that they price it differently and regulate access differently in different markets depending upon willingness to pay which depends upon income. If you weaken their ability to do this then you end up with lower prices in rich countries, higher prices in poor countries and a generally less happy world. At least that is the theory. If every government in every country has optimal IP law, whatever that is. Bottom line: I don't care. Do whatever you want.