No, pirating movies in Costa Rica violates copyright law under the Ley de Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos (Law No. 6683), enforced by the Dirección General de Propiedad Intelectual (DGPI). Unauthorized distribution or reproduction of copyrighted films constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by fines up to 100 base salaries (₡56.5 million in 2024) or imprisonment. The Procuraduría General de la República and Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) actively monitor digital piracy, with 2026 compliance protocols tightening against peer-to-peer networks and streaming sites.
Key Regulations for Pirating Movies in Costa Rica
- Article 123 of Law No. 6683 criminalizes unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted works, including films, with penalties escalating for commercial-scale piracy.
- DGPI’s 2025 Digital Enforcement Plan targets torrent sites and illegal streaming platforms, mandating ISPs to block infringing domains under Resolución DGPI-2025-04.
- Article 27 of the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. (CAFTA-DR) requires Costa Rica to align copyright enforcement with international standards, including statutory damages for infringement.
Enforcement extends to physical media: selling or importing pirated DVDs/Blu-rays violates Decreto Ejecutivo No. 31660-MP, triggering customs seizures. Exceptions under fair use (e.g., educational screenings) are narrowly defined, requiring prior authorization from rights holders. Non-compliance risks civil lawsuits, where plaintiffs may claim up to 3x actual damages under Ley de Protección al Consumidor.