If you’re one of the many, many people that share their Netflix password – you’re breaking the law.
Password sharing for streaming accounts may constitute’secondary copyright infringement,’ according to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
Passing over log-in details to family and friends is, let’s face it, pretty common despite Netflix’s terms stating ‘people who do not live in your household will need to use their own account’.
‘Pasting internet images into your social media without permission, or accessing films, tv series, or live sports events through Kodi boxes, hacked Fire Sticks, or apps without paying a subscription is an infringement of copyright and you may be committing a crime,’ the IPO said in guidance published this week.
The guidance had earlier included a reference to password sharing, but the agency quickly removed it. However, an IPO spokesperson confirmed the law and its guidance remained unchanged.
‘There are a range of provisions in criminal and civil law which may be applicable in the case of password sharing where the intent is to allow a user to access copyright protected works without payment.
‘These provisions may include breach of contractual terms, fraud or secondary copyright infringement depending on the circumstances.’
Netflix has already begun to restrict customers from sharing their accounts with people they do not live with. The streaming giant, which has lost subscribers due to competition and rising inflation, has begun a crackdown on people who share passwords in Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, and is considering expanding the scheme.
To attract customers, the company has also introduced a new lower-cost ad-supported tier that costs £4.99 per month.
Netflix’s stance has shifted since joking on Twitter in 2017 that “Love is sharing a password” as it was rapidly expanding in the UK.