The Kodi has garnered praise and acclaim for the past recent years, and given what we know about this nifty platform, it’s easy to see why. By using Kodi, you can easily turn the device you’re using into some form of media center. What’s great about this platform is that not only can you watch movies through local storage, but you can only enjoy films and TV shows through online streaming made possible by add-ons.
Unsurprisingly, however, Kodi has been involved in heated legal debates because of the fact that it allows you to stream content—even the copyrighted ones—for free. If you’re interested in using Kodi for yourself because of its features, the question “Is Kodi legal and safe to use?” must have crossed your mind a couple of times. It may have even discouraged you from trying it out. We completely understand where you’re coming from, but hopefully this article will help clear your mind and give you some much needed answers.
Is Kodi Legal?
It’s difficult to give a clear, black and white answer to this question because there are no concrete laws surrounding the streaming of copyrighted content. However, Kodi—in general and as a media player—is completely legal. It’s completely safe for you to download and install Kodi onto your streaming device, as this doesn’t breach any laws. The app is even available to download on several app stores like the Microsoft Store and Google Play. This is a clear indication that the app itself isn’t illegal, as these app stores would never host anything unlawful.
It’s a different story when it comes to Kodi plugins and add-ons, though, as these are the ones that give you access to copyrighted content completely free of charge. As a result, there’s a tendency that some users may get dragged into legalities. As mentioned, there’s no black and white laws when it comes to streaming content that is copyrighted. However, this also doesn’t mean that it’s legal to play these licensed content without having to pay for it, and there’s a chance that you could be in trouble. Some users even received notices about what they’re doing is unlawful. As such, you really need to tread lightly, especially when pirating or storing copyrighted media.
There’s a variety of Kodi add-ons available, most of which are free and allow you to stream a myriad of content for free as well, including TV shows and films. These add-ons can be downloaded through what is known as repositories, which is something like a receptacle that holds a lot of other add-ons. Kodi has an official repository called the Kodi Add-on Repository, and this one has all the legal add-ons. If you want to avoid getting into legal trouble as much as possible, then it’s probably best that you just stick to using the official add-ons.
Is Kodi Legal in the United States?
Again, copyright laws in the United States aren’t something you can describe as clear; they’re ambiguous at best. However, as mentioned, some people have gotten themselves into legal trouble because of streaming copyrighted content. What we know for sure to be illegal though is the selling and distribution of these pirated copyright content. If you sell and/or distribute movies and TV shows illegally, you could get in serious trouble and could even face jail-time asides from having to pay fees.
If you choose to continue using third-party add-ons because they offer the best movie streaming experience, it’s probably best that you remain anonymous and cover your tracks by making use of a VPN service. By using a VPN, you can rest assured that whatever you do on the internet won’t and can’t be traced by authorities.
What About in the Other Parts of the World?
Similar to the USA, copyright laws in the EU and other parts of the world are also unclear. While the Kodi app is completely legal and safe to use, using plugins or add-ons that aren’t from the official repository could possibly land you in trouble. Laws and penalties for some countries are much stricter, however. In fact, you could even get in trouble if you so much as promote free streaming apps.
But Is Kodi Safe?
When you use free streaming apps and platforms, it’s highly possible that your internet service provider, the government, and other third-party organizations could be keeping an eye on your online movements. What you need to do to ensure your tracks are covered is use a VPN. But as for the Kodi app itself, it’s completely safe to use and doesn’t contain any malware or viruses that could harm your device.
Of course, it all depends on your region and your respective laws. What’s okay in one country could be illegal in another, so don’t be too complacent.
Conclusion
To reiterate, Kodi is a completely safe and legal app that offers entertainment to people of all ages. If you watch movies and shows through the official, authorized channels, then you don’t need to watch your back. The app offers free licensed content for you to stream, after all. However, it’s a completely different story if you utilize third-party add-ons to stream copyrighted content, and you may want to think twice before doing so.
If you insist on using these third-party add-ons though, you may want to invest in a good and reliable VPN to mask your online presence.
