No. Torrenting itself is not illegal in New Hampshire, but downloading or sharing copyrighted material without authorization violates federal and state laws. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office enforces intellectual property rights, and ISPs may comply with copyright trolls targeting users. Recent 2026 amendments to RSA 358-A (New Hampshire’s Consumer Protection Act) heighten penalties for repeat offenders, including fines up to $10,000 per infringement.
Key Regulations for Torrenting in New Hampshire
- Copyright Infringement (RSA 358-A): Distributing or downloading copyrighted works without permission constitutes unfair trade practices, punishable under state law. The New Hampshire Department of Justice collaborates with the U.S. Copyright Office to track violations.
- ISP Liability (RSA 359-B): Internet service providers must comply with subpoenas for user data in copyright cases. Failure to disclose subscriber information may result in contempt charges under state court rulings.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Amendments to RSA 358-A now require ISPs to maintain records of alleged infringements for 3 years, increasing transparency but also exposure for users. Violations may trigger joint federal-state enforcement actions.
Torrenting for legal purposes (e.g., open-source software, public domain content) remains permissible. However, engaging in peer-to-peer file-sharing of copyrighted material risks civil lawsuits, statutory damages, and criminal charges under 17 U.S.C. § 506. Users should verify the legality of content before downloading.