Written By: Zachary MacColloum
Introduction: A New Wave of Digital Piracy
In recent years, TikTok has grown from a platform for posting new dance trends and short skits into a place where users post full-length films in
segmented clips. While this might seem like a harmless way to consume entertainment, it presents a serious issue: widespread copyright infringement. Posting entire movies on TikTok is not only illegal, but it also undermines the creative economy, violates intellectual property rights, and promotes unethical media consumption habits.
Understanding Copyright Law
Copyright law protects creators by giving them control over how their work is issued and distributed. In the United States, movies are protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Code, which states that the reproduction or public distribution of copyrighted material without permission is illegal. Platforms like TikTok fall under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA), which requires them to remove infringing content upon request to remain legally protected under “safe harbor provisions.” To evade detection by TikTok’s algorithms, however, users will modify their videos – flipping the image, changing audio, or cropping frames.
Economic Impact on the Film Industry
The popularity of watching full movies on TikTok leads to the entire film industry losing revenue. With the rise of TikTok movie piracy, even newer releases are being leaked within days of hitting streaming platforms or theaters. This not only reduces profits earned by new movies but also impacts future investments in film production. Studios may become reluctant to fund original projects if piracy continues to eat into their profits, ultimately resulting in fewer creative works being made.
The Myth of Exposure and Fair Use
Some may argue that sharing full films can revive interest in forgotten movies or give exposure to low-budget indie films. True, short clips can generate interest, but this must happen in a way that does not violate copyright laws. Currently, copyright laws only allow for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes such as criticism, commentary, or parody. Posting an entire film to TikTok exceeds the scope of fair use, which courts have clearly defined by factors like purpose, amount used, and market impact. TikTok users are not film critics or educators, yet they’re sharing copyrighted works in their entirety without transformative commentary or consent.
Legal and Platform-Level Consequences
Although TikTok is protected under the safe harbor provisions of the DMCA, it can still face pressure from government regulations to take stronger action. If TikTok fails to implement new changes to crackdown on copyright violations, it may face lawsuits or tighter regulations, threatening the platform’s reputation and functionality. Additionally, as pressure mounts, TikTok may be forced to introduce stricter upload policies that impact user freedom – limiting creativity for everyone due to the actions of a few.
Alternative Solutions for Access
Some justify pirating movies on TikTok by pointing to the high cost of streaming services. While affordability is a valid concern, piracy is not the answer. There are legal alternatives that provide access to movies without violating copyright—such as ad-supported platforms like Tubi and Pluto TV, library programs like Kanopy or Hoopla, and student discounts on major streaming services. Instead of encouraging illegal behavior, we should focus on making legal access to media more practical and widely available.
Conclusion: Respecting the Creative Economy
Posting full movies on TikTok is more than a harmless trend—it’s a direct violation of copyright law and a growing threat to the sustainability of creative industries. While it may seem convenient or entertaining to watch a film in short clips on a social media feed, this practice undermines the years of work, coordination, and investment that go into producing a movie. From writers and directors to sound designers and set builders, countless professionals rely on legal distribution for their livelihood. When that system is bypassed, the entire industry suffers. Respecting copyright is not just about following the law—it’s about maintaining a fair and functional creative economy. As digital media continues to evolve, platforms and users alike must be responsible stewards of the content they engage with. Watching movies through legal channels, supporting creators, and advocating for more accessible entertainment options are all steps in the right direction. If we want a thriving, innovative future for film and media, we must start by honoring the systems that make those creations possible.
Sources
Charles Rivkin, Remarks by Charles Rivkin at CinemaCon 2024, Motion Picture Ass’n (Apr. 9, 2024), https://www.motionpictures.org/remarks/charles-rivkin-state-of-the-industry-address-at-ci nemacon-2024/.
Stanford Univ. Libraries, Measuring Fair Use: The Four Factors, https://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/fair-use/four-factors/ (last visited Apr. 27, 2025).
Teagan Raffenbeul, Reel Dilemma: Copyright and Movie Content on TikTok, Nov. 5, 2024, Wash. J.L. Tech. & Arts (2024).
17 U.S.C.S. § 106 (LexisNexis 2024).
17 U.S.C.S. § 107 (LexisNexis 2024).
17 U.S.C.S. § 501 (LexisNexis 2024).
17 U.S.C.S. § 512 (LexisNexis 2024).