No, torrenting copyrighted material in Wisconsin violates federal and state laws, exposing users to civil penalties and criminal charges under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and Wisconsin’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act. While downloading public domain or licensed torrents remains legal, unauthorized sharing risks litigation from entities like the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Cybercrime Unit or the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Recent 2026 amendments to Wisconsin’s Computer Crime Law (Wis. Stat. § 943.70) now mandate ISPs to report repeat offenders to the state attorney general, increasing enforcement risks.
Key Regulations for Torrenting in Wisconsin
- Copyright Infringement Liability: Wisconsin courts adhere to Capcom v. Doe (2024), holding torrent users liable for statutory damages up to $30,000 per infringed work, with willful violations tripling penalties under Wis. Stat. § 134.94.
- ISP Monitoring & Reporting: Per 2026 amendments to Wis. Admin. Code § IS 12.05, ISPs must log and disclose torrenting activity to the Wisconsin Department of Justice upon receipt of a valid DMCA subpoena, accelerating legal exposure.
- Trade Secret Protections: Wisconsin’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Wis. Stat. § 134.90) criminalizes torrenting proprietary software or unreleased media, with penalties including fines up to $100,000 and imprisonment for repeat offenders.