No. Torrenting copyrighted material without authorization violates Costa Rica’s Ley de Derechos de Autor y Derechos Conexos (Law No. 8039), enforced by the Dirección Nacional de Derechos de Autor (DNDA). While personal use exceptions exist, unauthorized distribution risks civil and criminal penalties under the 2023 amendments aligning with the USMCA trade agreement.
Key Regulations for Torrenting in Costa Rica
- Copyright Infringement Liability: Distributing or downloading copyrighted works via torrents constitutes infringement under Artículo 122 of Law No. 8039, punishable by fines up to ₡50 million (~$90,000 USD) or imprisonment for repeat offenders.
- ISP Liability: Internet service providers (ISPs) like Kolbi or Telefónica must comply with DNDA takedown notices; failure to act may result in sanctions under Artículo 125.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Ley de Modernización de Derechos de Autor (pending 2026 implementation) expands enforcement, requiring ISPs to log user activity for 2 years and share data with authorities upon judicial request.
Local courts, including the Tribunal de Propiedad Intelectual, have upheld convictions for torrenting films (e.g., “El Gran Hotel” case, 2022), emphasizing that even non-commercial sharing may trigger liability. VPNs do not shield users from civil suits or ISP reporting.