Are Broadway Bootlegs Illegal?
We've All Watched a Bootleg at One Point or Another. .. . but There's One Caveat with Bootlegs: They're 100% Illegal. While You Can Watch Them on Youtube...
We've all watched a bootleg at one point or another. ... But there's one caveat with bootlegs: they're 100% illegal. While you can watch them on YouTube without being put in prison, recording them is against the law. They'll say it at the beginning of every single performance you'll ever go to.
Is it illegal to record Broadway shows?
It is illegal and recording during a show can disturb others who payed to watch the show. It's similar to the argument people make when they steal music or movies where “I wasn't going to pay anyways so it's ok”.
What are Broadway bootlegs?
Bootlegs allow people who are unable to attend productions with specific casts the ability to watch them. Many who watch bootlegs argue that they often discover shows or actors through watching productions for free online. If they enjoy it, they will buy cast recordings, merchandise or tickets.
Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.
