No, torrenting copyrighted material without authorization violates Hungary’s Act LXXVI of 1999 on Copyright, rendering it illegal. The National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) enforces strict penalties, including fines up to HUF 1 million (≈€2,500) for individuals. While private, non-commercial sharing of unprotected works may avoid scrutiny, the 2026 amendment to the Digital Services Act expands liability for intermediaries, tightening oversight on peer-to-peer networks.
Key Regulations for Torrenting in Hungary
- Copyright Infringement Liability: Act LXXVI criminalizes unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works via torrenting, with liability extending to uploaders and downloaders under §184.
- ISP Monitoring Requirements: NMHH mandates ISPs to log and report torrenting activity to the Copyright Council (Szellemi Tulajdon Nemzeti Hivatala), enabling targeted enforcement.
- 2026 Digital Services Act Compliance: Platforms facilitating torrenting must implement proactive filtering under the EU’s DSA, exposing torrent sites to potential blocking if they fail to comply.
Hungarian courts have upheld convictions for torrenting, including a 2023 case where a user was fined HUF 300,000 for distributing films via a private tracker. Legal alternatives like the Hungarian National Film Archive (Filmmúzeum) or licensed streaming services (e.g., HBO Max Hungary) mitigate risk.