No, unauthorized distribution or reproduction of copyrighted films in Greece violates the 2021 Copyright Act (Law 4481/2017) and EU Directive 2019/790, exposing individuals to civil damages and criminal penalties under Hellenic Police cybercrime units.
Key Regulations for Pirating Movies in Greece
- Law 4481/2017 criminalizes the reproduction, distribution, or public communication of films without consent, with penalties ranging from €1,500 to €30,000 in fines and imprisonment up to 3 years for commercial-scale piracy.
- EU Directive 2019/790 mandates Greece to enforce stricter enforcement mechanisms, including website blocking orders issued by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA) and the Ministry of Digital Governance.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Greece’s integration of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires platforms to proactively remove pirated content or face liability under Article 14 of Law 4727/2020, with ISPs obligated to comply with court-ordered injunctions.
Enforcement prioritizes peer-to-peer networks and streaming sites, with the Cyber Crime Unit of the Hellenic Police conducting periodic raids on illegal distribution hubs. Civil claims from rights holders (e.g., ANT1, ERT) often exceed €50,000 per infringement, while repeat offenders face aggravated penalties under the 2023 amendments to the Penal Code.