No, pirating movies in Georgia violates the Law of Georgia on Copyright and Related Rights (2010, amended 2023) and the Criminal Code (Article 191), exposing offenders to fines up to 50,000 GEL or imprisonment for up to 4 years. The Georgian National Intellectual Property Center (Sakpatenti) actively monitors digital piracy, collaborating with INTERPOL’s Global Complex for Innovation in Tbilisi. Recent 2026 amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications now mandate ISPs to block infringing sites within 48 hours of a court order, tightening enforcement.
Key Regulations for Pirating Movies in Georgia
- Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted films, including streaming or downloading via torrent networks, constitutes a civil and criminal offense under Article 5 of the Law on Copyright and Related Rights. Penalties escalate for commercial-scale piracy.
- Public performance of pirated films—even in private venues—requires explicit licensing from rights holders; unauthorized screenings trigger fines under Article 191 of the Criminal Code.
- ISPs and hosting providers must comply with Sakpatenti’s 2026 blocking directives or face liability for contributory infringement, as outlined in the amended Law on Electronic Communications (Article 45).
Enforcement prioritizes high-traffic platforms; however, peer-to-peer networks remain a persistent challenge. Courts frequently apply injunctions against intermediaries to curb access to notorious piracy hubs like Pirate Bay mirrors.