What is MovieBox Pro?
MovieBox Pro is an online streaming service available on multiple devices that allows you to stream a wide range of movies and television shows. It is a high definition video-on-demand service designed for smartphone, tablet, and desktop use. MovieBox Pro is available for download and use on Roku, PC, Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems without the need for any third-party plug-ins or Adobe Flash media player. Current versions are able to deliver 3D, Live TV , and 4K quality video.
MovieBox Pro has undergone many changes since its release. The service originally operated as the MovieBox application on the iOS platform before it transitioned into a web-based service. It is now a browser-based streaming service with compatibility on many devices.
Users enjoy using MovieBox Pro due to its ease-of-use. If you are a first-time user of the service, there is no configuration setup required. You can continue watching the recommended movies and TV Shows or you can sign up for an account. The service allows you to pin favorite movies or search by genre.
Streaming Services Legal Framework
The legal framework surrounding streaming services is often a complex web of copyright laws, licensing agreements, and local regulations. In most jurisdictions, the prevailing laws determine whether a streaming service follows the law or could open up consumers to potential liabilities.
Globally, traditional copyright laws including the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations govern movie distribution. Most of the established laws favor the intellectual property holders; they require any re-distribution of protected works only be done with the intellectual property holder’s permission. However, the laws are not always well adapted to digital technologies and the growing popularity of online streaming services.
Online, a relatively newer set of laws applies to protect intellectual property owners. The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) include detailed provisions that outline how countries should handle services such as online streaming. In addition, the World Intellectual Property Organization recommends taking additional steps to protect copyrighted works online, such as ensuring that hosting sites are allowed to remove copyrighted content.
In the United States, there are two relevant laws that apply to streaming services. The U.S. Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the Fairness in Music Licensing Act of 1998 have been used to decide whether streaming services are legal. Although neither act specifically mentions streaming services, both have been used to shape the regulatory environment that allows or disallows these venues of content distribution. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, for example, contains a safe harbor provision, which protects the online platform from litigation when a user uploads pirated material. The Fairness in Music Licensing Act of 1998 establishes the guidelines for professional streaming services for businesses.
In the European Union, the Copyright Directive and the E-commerce Directive govern audiovisual content distribution. The Copyright Directive protects rights holders by prohibiting commercial platforms from distributing copyrighted material without the express permission of the copyright holder. The E-commerce Directive only protects the hosting platform if they comply with local storage obligations, as well as requirements to remove infringing content.
The protection of intellectual property is even more important as streaming services grow in popularity. The proliferation of digital devices and internet connections makes people more vulnerable to pirated content. As a result, governments are taking steps to close loopholes that may allow illegal streaming.
Is MovieBox Pro Legally Operating?
The MovieBox Pro app is a relatively new streaming service that allows users to access on-demand films and television shows on an array of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers and smart TVs. Users can choose between free or paid subscription options, but the fact remains that the platform’s content is not contained within the United States.
As a result, there are legal implications that you, as an incoming user, need to be aware of. Simply put, MovieBox Pro might not be acting lawfully in the manner outlined in the company’s terms of service.
When it comes to United States law, advanced technologies like the peer-to-peer services MovieBox Pro employs are not expressly legal. No U.S. laws restrict their usage, but there is no specific law out there that allows them to be used for accessing and streaming content that is not owned by the user. Rights holders thus have the option to pursue litigation against any peer-to-peer services that involve their content. Because these activities occur on a global scale (MovieBox Pro generates content from all over the world), it becomes difficult to pin down specific jurisdictions in which these lawsuits can occur.
MovieBox Pro has been the target of legal action in the past, and it may be again in the future.
Even if it remains somewhat under the radar now, MovieBox Pro could become a legal lightning rod if users don’t take precautions and pay careful attention to the way they access content.
MovieBox Pro Risks
Watching movies and TV shows through streaming devices like MovieBox Pro has the same legal implications as watching a TV show with an antenna or Netflix: It is all about licensing. If a service has permission to use a particular piece of content, such as a movie or TV show, it can stream it for a fee. If a service does not have permission to use a particular piece of content, the content owner can sue the provider.
Just some of the movie studios who are concerned about the legality of the content on MovieBox Pro include Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures. In fact, Universal has previously confirmed hosting several legal takedown requests regarding MovieBox Pro.
The point is that streaming from potentially unauthorized platforms like MovieBox Pro is risky for the user . Because if the provider did not pay for the rights to the content, then they are likely breaking copyright laws. And if the user is watching content from a provider who is breaking copyright laws, then they could also face consequences.
If caught streaming content illegally through MovieBox Pro, you could potentially receive a fine from your Internet Service Provider. Some providers may even slow down your internet connection if they suspect you are using a platform to watch unauthorized movies or TV shows. If you receive a letter from your ISP, don’t ignore it. Your ISP is likely requesting that you cease all unauthorized streaming. If you don’t comply, you may have to pay either a fee or be restricted from using the internet.
MovieBox Pro Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to MovieBox Pro that play by the rules, you’re in luck. A wide range of legal options exist that can keep you entertained for days on end. They vary in content, price, and user experience, so let’s take a look at the following legal options:
Netflix
With an unbeatable selection (over 1,300+ movies, TV series, documentaries, and comedy specials), Netflix is unbeatable when it comes to keeping you entertained. While there’s not much room for scrolling through content here, finding the right movie or show is simple enough with a quick search. Prices are reasonable for all individual, basic, and premium subscriptions and there’s plenty of flexibility for those who want to change their plans.
Amazon Prime Video
When it comes to services that put TV shows into your hand, Amazon is unbeatable. Their Amazon Prime package gives you access to free movies and TV shows through Prime Video, which is as easy to use as Netflix. While some content requires a rental or purchase fee (between $2.99 to $7.99), you can find plenty of great shows without spending a cent. More importantly, their connection with an Amazon Prime subscription means you unlock the benefits of free two day shipping on eligible items, too.
YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is an excellent option for those who enjoy casual viewing but want to eliminate ads. For $12.99/month, you get basic access to the content and channels you already know and love, ad-free, and even download some content to enjoy on the go. You can also share your plan with another person, though cost rises to $17.99/month. Those who enjoy a wide range of content (including music) might also want to consider the $14.99/month option that lets you stream ad-free content from YouTube’s music platform, too.
Hulu
Streaming services that automatically generate ads can be frustrating for some users. Hulu’s monthly plans (starting at $5.99/month) allow you to enjoy content ad-free for just a little bit more. Of course, you’ll still have to confront licensing deals the services use (which can mean that no current episodes of your favorite show are available immediately) and signing up means you have to start with a one year contract.
Stay within the Law and Stream Safely
When it comes to ensuring you’re complying with the law while binge watching your favorite shows, the simple answer is that you should opt for any of the established American streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Roku, Peacock or Apple TV+. The rule of thumb is that if a service asks you for a subscription and charges you, then it’s likely going to be legitimate. If a legal streaming service is-ever grey in your mind, look out for the following as an indication that the service is legitimate: If you’re in the market for a free streaming service, then sign up for some of the free trials from the established streaming providers. Some of the signifiers above might also exist in the free trial space , so pay attention to these details to make sure you aren’t signing up for pirated content. Another avenue for free legal streaming is to sign up with media powerhouse YouTube. You can find tons of news, information, entertainment and education on the site simply by typing what you want into the search bar. One of the great things about YouTube is that you can watch shows like Tin Star or Criterion Collection films on the platform for free because they actually pay the license fee for you to watch it. YouTube doesn’t put an ad before all of the films either, but they do interject ads with content, so be aware of that as a user.