Downloading creative works—music, movies, books, software, or images—can be perfectly legal or entirely illegal, depending on how it’s done and whether the rights holder has authorized it. Under Nepal’s Copyright Act, downloading a work without the owner’s permission or a valid license is considered copyright infringement. This includes downloading from torrent sites, unauthorized streaming platforms, or file-sharing services that host pirated content.

Legal downloads are those obtained directly from the rights holder or through licensed distributors—such as official app stores, subscription streaming services, or legitimate e-commerce platforms. These sources compensate creators and comply with copyright law.

At CIPN, we help individuals and organizations understand their legal obligations, avoid infringing activities, and address situations where their works are being illegally distributed. Protecting digital content is not just about compliance—it’s about respecting creativity and ensuring fair returns for creators.